Online MBA in Marketing Programs in 2023
Do you want to combine your love of marketing with a passion for entrepreneurship and business leadership? A Master's in Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in marketing might be the right path for you. Marketing MBAs provide students with advanced education in business topics such as finance and accounting, corporate leadership, and human resources, as well as in-depth coursework on marketing and sales. Excellent preparation for a senior marketing position in any number of industries, MBAs in Marketing open the door to a wide range of career opportunities and higher salaries. Now more than ever, business-minded marketing professionals are fetching top dollar as we see a change in working environments and home-based business processes.
What’s the Difference Between an MBA in Marketing vs Masters in Marketing?
If you are thinking about pursuing an MBA in Marketing degree, you may be wondering what the difference is between an MBA in Marketing and a Master of Arts or Science in Marketing degree. There are a couple of key differences to be aware of. An MBA degree requires students to take several courses in business topics including finance, organizational leadership, and law in addition to their courses in marketing topics. This coursework can ultimately prepare students for careers in other areas of business in addition to marketing roles. Additionally, an MBA program generally requires applicants to have completed a minimum of two years of professional working experience prior to enrolling in an MBA program. For applicants fresh out of undergraduate studies who have not yet worked professionally, the Master's in Marketing degree may be a better fit.
An MBA in Marketing can lead to careers such as:
- Marketing Manager
- Director of Marketing
- Senior Product Manager
- Brand Manager
- VP of Marketing
- Public Relations Manager
- Marketing Research Analyst
A prerequisite for many MBA programs is professional business experience. For aspiring senior marketing experts who wish to continue their professional careers while studying for their MBA, an online program might be the best fit. For busy professionals, an online MBA in Marketing program allows students to continue working while preparing themselves for the next phase of their careers.
Choosing an Online Marketing MBA Program
Once you've decided to pursue an online master's in business administration with a concentration in marketing, the next step is researching and selecting the right program. But how to know which school is right for you? Keep these key factors in mind when deciding between online MBA programs.
Accreditation
An MBA is a significant investment in your career, so make sure the program you select will provide you with a high-quality education. One way to ensure a program's quality is by checking its program accreditation. Legitimate program accreditation signifies that the program has been evaluated by a third-party accrediting organization according to rigorous academic standards and has met or exceeded these standards. Examples of accrediting organizations for online MBA programs include the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education.
Program Cost
The cost of an online MBA program can vary based on a number of factors, including the size and type of school, the school's academic reputation, geographic location, a student's residency status, and the program length. When considering the total cost of a program, it's important to include mandatory school fees, books, and other program materials in addition to the tuition price.
In many cases, online programs are more affordable than their traditional on-campus counterparts, but this is not always the case. As an example of online program costs, the cost of the online MBA program at the University of North Carolina is roughly $2,025 per credit hour for June 2022 thru July 2023 academic year. This cost includes student fees, simulations, assessments, technology platform licensing and support, global immersions, and some academic materials. It does not include textbooks. With total tuition of $125,589.06.
Program Length
Most MBAs in Marketing are designed to be completed in two years of study. Factors that may impact a program's length include whether students enroll on a full- or part-time basis and if any on-campus classroom time is required and when. Oftentimes with online programs students are accepted on a rolling basis, enabling them to begin studying in the fall, spring, or even summer semesters.
Admissions Requirements
In order to gain admission to a marketing MBA program, students need to ensure they meet all the admissions requirements for their program(s) of choice. Admissions requirements may vary slightly from school to school but generally include:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree, ideally in communication, business, marketing, or a related field
- GPA of 3.0 or above in their undergraduate coursework
- Transcripts from all undergraduate colleges attended
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement or essay
- Scores from applicable graduate school tests, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
- Resume detailing relevant work experience (many MBA programs require a minimum of two years of professional experience)
- Completed application and application fee
Classes and Courses
An MBA in Marketing often includes general business courses as well as marketing courses similar to the following, which are part of Northeastern University's online MBA with a concentration in marketing program:
- Creating and Sustaining Customer Markets
- Information Analysis
- Financial Statement Preparation & Analysis
- Managing People & Organizations
- Enterprise Growth & Innovation
- Marketing Research
- International Marketing
- New Product Development
- Market Focused Strategy
- Digital Marketing
- Brand and Advertising Management
- Sustainability and Innovation in Product Design
Many programs also finish with a capstone project or internship component, which encourages students to put everything they've learned into practice.
Online MBA in Marketing Program Specializations
In addition to schools that offer general marketing MBA programs, some schools offer even more niche specializations. The following are common online MBA in marketing specializations:
Marketing Data Analytics
The Marketing Data Analytics specialization focuses on gathering and interpreting data to influence company growth, predict consumer behavior, and advance technical expertise with software to enhance analytical approaches. Students are trained to drive market decisions through a variety of advanced data collection tools and analytical techniques. Digital marketing concepts are key in this roughly 2-year program, where students take courses in:
- Database concepts
- Information management
- Marketing research methods
- Managing human capital
- Applied data mining
- Business leadership
- Search engine optimization
Upon graduating, students with an MBA in Marketing Data Analytics can secure careers as senior marketing managers, directors of integrated marketing, brand managers, consumer marketing analysts, and much more.
Marketing Management
The MBA Marketing Management specialization program is centered around marketing strategies, marketing communication, consumer behavior, and leadership. Students hone their skills by learning how to build integrated marketing and marketing communications plans in addition to taking managerial MBA courses. Course topics may include:
- Marketing strategy
- Data-driven marketing
- Management lab
- New product management
- Advertising management
- Pricing policy
Those who complete the MBA in Marketing Management degree are eligible for advanced careers as marketing directors, market research analysts, business development managers, and more.
Digital Marketing
The MBA in Digital Marketing program pathway trains students to become digital marketing leaders as the demand for digital advertising grows. Enrolled students learn about search engine marketing (SEM), data analysis software, social media, and more to become experts in designing and implementing online marketing campaigns. Engaging online audiences to grow a brand or business is the goal of this program, which can take around 18 months to complete. Popular course topics include:
- Applied digital marketing strategies
- E-commerce
- Conversion optimization
- Omni-channel retailing
- Digital customer experience management
- Social and mobile media fundamentals
With an MBA in Digital Marketing, senior-level positions such as social media managers, digital marketing specialists, directors of marketing strategy, and more will be available.
Integrated Marketing Communications
The MBA in Integrated Marketing Communications program spans a variety of marketing modalities, from traditional to digital, to achieve business objectives, reach the right customers, maximize the brand, and develop an effective communications plan. Students are taught the strategies to achieve a positive return on investment and meet sales goals within an organization. Emphasis is placed on utilizing strategic tactics to communicate consistent marketing messages. Common courses include:
- Global brand management
- The communications development process
- Research, measurement, & attribution modeling
- Analytical tools for decision making
- Applying integrated marketing communications to a brand
Graduates of an MBA Integrated Communications program go on to careers as media brand managers, art directors, marketing directors/managers, and more.
Online MBA in Marketing No GMAT Required vs GMAT Waiver
While the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a requirement for many MBA programs, others are eliminating it completely. There are many factors that contribute to the removal of this requirement, but it boils down to the fact that work experience and other intangible factors are often suitable indicators of a student's motivation and commitment to completing a graduate-level program, which is what the GMAT requirement is intended to measure. It's important to note that some schools require the Graduation Record Examination (GRE) instead of the GMAT. In any case, students should read over their program of choice's admission requirements carefully to see whether or not these tests are necessary. Choosing an online MBA in Marketing that does not require GMAT scores can be a great advantage to students who have the skills, intelligence, and determination to enroll in a program, but who don't necessarily test well, and also for students who don't have the funds needed to take this expensive exam.
One may be able to have the GMAT waived provided they have but not limited to the following:
- Higher than the specific GPA; most likely minimum of 3.0 is expected
- Previous graduate degree or graduate certificate
- A specific number of professional work experience
You’ll have to discuss these options with an admissions representative or review the program’s website for further clarification.
Advantages of Online Marketing MBA Programs
For busy professionals or those with family commitments, an online MBA program is a convenient and potentially cost-effective way to earn an advanced degree. Online coursework allows students to complete assignments and attend lectures from home and on their own schedules, which is particularly important for students furthering their professional careers simultaneously. Often with a lower tuition cost than traditional on-campus programs, online programs also allow students in rural areas to choose from a larger number of schools without a lengthy commute. With an increasing number of online programs across the country, now is the time to make your dreams of an MBA come true.
Colleges That Offer Accredited Online Marketing MBA Programs in 2023
Select Your State:
Alabama
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Columbia Southern University Programs | 21982 University Lane Orange Beach, AL 36561 (251) 981-3771 |
University of Alabama at Birmingham Programs | 1150 10th Avenue S. Birmingham, AL 35205 (866) 803-0883 |
Arizona
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Grand Canyon University Programs | 3300 West Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85017 (855) 428-5623 |
California
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Azusa Pacific University Programs | 901 E. Alosta Ave. Azusa, CA 91702 (626) 969-3434 |
California Coast University Programs | 925 N. Spurgeon Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 547-9625 |
California Miramar University Programs | 3550 Camino Del Rio N. Suite #208 San Diego, CA 92108 (858) 653-3000 |
National University Programs | 11255 N Torrey Pines Rd. La Jolla, CA 92037 (800) 628-8648 |
Pepperdine University Programs | 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90263 (310) 506-4000 |
Colorado
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Colorado State University | 501 W. Laurel Street Fort Collins, CO 80523 (800) 491-4622 |
Regis University Programs | 3333 Regis Boulevard Denver, CO 80221 (800) 388-2366 |
Florida
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Lynn University Programs | 3601 N. Military Trail Boca Raton, FL 33431 (561) 237-7000 |
Nova Southeastern University Programs | 3301 College Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314 (800) 541-6682 |
Saint Leo University Programs | 33701 State Road 52 Saint Leo, FL 33574 (800) 334-5532 |
Illinois
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Benedictine University Programs | 5700 College Road Lisle, IL 60532 (866) 295-3104 |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Programs | 515 East Gregory Drive Champaign, IL 61820 (217) 300-2481 |
Indiana
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Purdue University Programs | 610 Purdue Mall West Lafayette, IN 47907 (844) 787-3834 |
Kansas
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Fort Hays State University Programs | 600 Park Street Hays, KS 67601 (785) 628-3478 |
University of Kansas Programs | 1246 W. Campus Road Lawrence, KS 66045 (785) 864-6414 |
University of Saint Mary | 4100 South 4th St. Leavenworth, KS 66048 (877) 307-4915 |
Wichita State University Programs | 1845 Fairmount St. Wichita, KS 67260 (316) 978-3456 |
Kentucky
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Campbellsville University Programs | 1 University Dr. Campbellsville, KY 42718 (888) 244-0609 |
Maryland
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of Maryland Programs | 1000 Hilltop Circle College Park, MD 20742 (877) 807-8741 |
Massachusetts
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Northeastern University Programs | 360 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115 (617) 373-2000 |
Suffolk University Programs | 73 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02108 (617) 573-8000 |
UMass Lowell Programs | 72 University Avenue Lowell, MA 01854 (978) 934-2848 |
University of Massachusetts Amherst Programs | 121 Presidents Drive Amherst, MA 01003 (413) 545-5608 |
Michigan
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Central Michigan University Programs | 802 Industrial Drive Mount Pleasant, MI 48858 (877) 268-4636 |
Missouri
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Lindenwood University Programs | 209 S. Kingshighway St. Charles, MO 63301 (636) 949-2000 |
Maryville University Programs | 650 Maryville University Drive St. Louis, MO 63141 (866) 249-7324 |
Northwest Missouri State University | 800 University Drive Maryville, MO 64468 (844) 890-9304 |
University of Central Missouri Programs | P.O. Box 800 Warrensburg, MO 64093 (877) 729-8266 |
Webster University Programs | 470 East Lockwood Avenue St. Louis, MO 63119 (800) 981-9801 |
Nebraska
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Concordia University, Nebraska Programs | 570 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 203 Lincoln, NE 68521 (888) 505-2863 |
New Hampshire
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
New England College Programs | 98 Bridge Street Henniker, NH 03242 (603) 428-2252 |
Rivier University Programs | 420 South Main Street Nashua, NH 03060 (888) 204-7695 |
Southern New Hampshire University Programs | 2500 N River Rd. Manchester, NH 03106 (888) 387-0861 |
New Jersey
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Montclair State University | 1 Normal Ave. Montclair, NJ 07043 (973) 655-4000 |
New Jersey Institute of Technology Programs | 154 Summit St. Newark, NJ 07102 (973) 596-3000 |
Rider Univerity | 2083 Lawrenceville Rd. Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 (609) 896-5000 |
Seton Hall University Programs | 400 South Orange Ave South Orange, NJ 07079 (844) 823-1198 |
Thomas Edison State University Programs | 111 W State St. Trenton, NJ 08608 (609) 777-5680 |
New York
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Syracuse University | 721 University Avenue Syracuse, NY 13244 (844) 797-4622 |
North Carolina
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Programs | 1210 Environ Way Chapel Hill, NC 27517 (888) 986-2622 |
Ohio
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Walsh University Programs | 2020 East Maple Street North Canton, OH 44720 (330) 490-7090 |
Oklahoma
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Southeastern Oklahoma State University Programs | 425 W University Durant, OK 74701 (580) 745-2000 |
Pennsylvania
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Drexel University Programs | 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 895-2111 |
Lehigh University Programs | 621 Taylor Street Bethlehem, PA 18015 (610) 758-4450 |
Messiah College Programs | One College Avenue Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 766-2511 |
Penn State University Programs | 128 Outreach Building University Park, PA 16802 (800) 252-3592 |
Villanova University Programs | 800 E. Lancaster Avenue Villanova, PA 19085 (866) 803-0713 |
South Carolina
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Winthrop University Programs | 701 Oakland Avenue Rock Hill, SC 29733 (833) 257-1704 |
South Dakota
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of South Dakota Programs | 414 E. Clark Street Vermillion, SD 57069 (650) 658-6140 |
Texas
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Abilene Christian University Programs | 1600 Campus Court Abiliene, TX 79699 (800) 460-6228 |
University of Texas at Dallas | 800 West Campbell Road Richardson, TX 75080 (972) 883-2705 |
Virginia
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Liberty University | 1971 University Blvd Lynchburg, VA 24515 (800) 424-9595 |
Regent University Programs | 1000 Regent University Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23464 (866) 910-7617 |
Washington, DC
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Johns Hopkins University | 1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 452-1940 |
West Virginia
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
West Virginia University | 1601 University Avenue Morgantown, WV 26506 (304) 293-4959 |
Wisconsin
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Programs | 809 W. Starin Road Whitewater, WI 53190 (262) 472-1343 |