How to Get an Online Associate’s Degree in Marketing

Did you know that the average American is exposed to over 3,000 ads a day? Between podcasts, banner ads, tv and radio commercials, billboards, and in-store ads, it really adds up. This shocking statistic goes a long way to prove how important marketing is to any business — big or small.

If you have always been interested in the behind-the-scenes for how ads are produced and why they are produced the way they are, then you might want to consider pursuing an associate’s degree in marketing. Not only is it a fun and rewarding career for the right person, the field also offers competitive salaries.


Marketing is a fast-growing and very in-demand field. If you want a lot of options when it comes to where you work, this field may be just perfect for you. With an associate’s degree in marketing, you can even open up your own consulting business and work for yourself! You would offer businesses advice on their brand and their advertising messages, and work on a freelance basis to improve their image and sales figures. Many marketing consultants get to work from the comfort of their own homes, and set their own hours. With the Internet, there are so many jobs around the world for freelancers to take on, so there is no need to worry about shortage of work.

If you’re looking to work for a corporation, you can use your degree to work in an advertising agency. Here, you will be responsible for helping to create national ad campaigns for big corporations. You could also help write their brochures, brainstorm ideas for their next commercial, scout talent, manage social media outlets, and much more.

An associate’s degree in marketing typically takes two years of full-time study to complete. However, if you choose to earn your credential online, you may be able to complete it earlier. Depending on how many classes you can take per quarter/semester, you may be able to finish a lot quicker.

If you are a busy individual looking to go to school while still attending to your personal obligations, pursuing an associate’s degree in marketing online could be a great option. Distance learning can work really well for those who are motivated and independent learners. It is important to make sure that the college you choose is accredited so that the credits you earn can be easily transferred to a four-year college should you decide to continue your education. By virtually attending classes online, you will have access to all course materials and participate in class discussions just like you would normally in a traditional classroom setting. The main difference is that you would be able to log into the classroom portal from anywhere and anytime to complete required coursework and exams. Students can easily communicate with other students and their professors via chat platforms and email.

Common Associate’s in Marketing Curriculum

Marketing has so many interesting facets to it, and by enrolling in an associate’s degree program in the field, you will learn so much. The great thing about these classes is that they give a great overview to everything marketing related. From these classes, you can take away the required knowledge into a four-year degree program if you choose to pursue higher education, or you can enter the working world and apply what you have learned.

Some common topics you will learn include:

  • Public speaking
  • Financial accounting
  • Statistics
  • Consumer behavior
  • Advertising basics
  • Copywriting
  • Photography
  • Introduction to marketing
  • Managerial accounting
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics

In addition to classes in these topics, you will also become well-versed in the different advertising mediums such as tv and radio, print, the Internet, and more.

In addition to marketing-related courses, students will also have general education requirements and electives to complete, which will vary from college to college. These classes will help you develop a well-rounded foundation of knowledge that will be useful in understanding real-life situations and succeeding in whatever career you choose to be in. For example, you might take introductory classes in writing, math, science, history, art, language, and more. Many of these general education course requirements can be waived if you took AP classes and passed their respective exams in high school. If this sounds like it might be you, we recommend checking with your college counselor to see which classes you might not have to retake.

Associate’s in Marketing Careers

When it comes to job prospects, the field of marketing is very promising. Not only are the options endless, you can also make pretty good money in this field. If you continue on to earn your bachelor’s degree in a related field, you may earn even more, and your opportunities for advancement will be even greater. Because this field is so competitive, having a higher degree will help you land the position of your dreams.

Of course, just like anything else, your salary will depend on a variety of factors. Some factors include where you work, who you work for, level of responsibility, experience level, and your education level. For example, if you take on a managerial role, you can expect to make upwards of six figures in this industry.

With the rise of businesses and entrepreneurship, marketing and advertising is a growing field. Because companies compete so fiercely for market share, demand for marketing professionals has been growing quickly. It’s expected to keep growing in the next few years, which means that those in the industry should not have too difficult of a time to land a job.

Some jobs that you can think about while pursuing your studies in marketing include:

  • Advertising account executive
  • Advertising account planner
  • Advertising art director
  • Advertising copywriter
  • Market researcher
  • Marketing executive
  • Media buyer
  • Social media coordinator
  • Media planner

The list goes on, but you get the idea. The options are endless. Getting your associate’s degree in marketing is a great way to get your foot in the door to these amazing job opportunities!