OVERVIEW
An Online Marketing Degree That Prepares You for an Exciting Business Career
This online marketing degree is designed to be high impact, giving you the skills you need to position yourself as a top marketer. You'll be prepared to stand out with your understanding in traditional marketing concepts, along with knowledge in digital and emerging methods, data literacy, and customer-focused strategies. WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Marketing online degree is an affordable program focused on preparing you for a variety of careers in sales, promotion, and management.
This online marketing degree focuses specifically on the critical skills you need to thrive, including digital marketing, consumer behavior, marketing analytics, sales management, branding, content creation, communication, and more. You'll study and analyze consumer behavior as you learn how to develop strategies for various products and services, preparing you to work on teams in a variety of industries. Getting this marketing degree online will enhance your skills and credentials, ensuring you are prepared for an exciting career path in marketing management, marketing strategy, brand management, event planning, sales, content marketing, digital marketing, and many more areas.
Students are also encouraged to participate in the American Marketing Association WGU Student Chapter where they will benefit from belonging to a community of marketing professionals focused on networking and professional development. The AMA WGU Chapter provides a variety of benefits including access networking activities, professional development, and AMA’s job board (AMA membership required).
60% of graduates finish within
19 Months*
WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$3,755
Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps students control the ultimate cost of their business management degree. Finish faster, pay less!
Average salary increase
$14,337
B.S. marketing graduates report an average salary increase of $14,337 after completing their WGU degree.
*WGU Internal Data
COURSES
Marketing Courses
Program consists of 37 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
The online marketing degree program is composed of several industry-relevant courses. Some may be waived through transfer from your previous college experience. Courses are generally completed one at a time instead of simultaneously, and you’ll work with your Program Mentor to build a personalized Degree Plan that keeps you on track.
WGU courses are competency-based which means that once you demonstrate mastery in a specific area, you can move on. This allows you to use your existing knowledge to move through your degree program more quickly.
The Bachelor of Science Marketing program is an all-online degree program. You’ll complete program requirements independently, with instruction and support from WGU faculty. You’ll be expected to complete at least 12 competency units for each 6-month term. Each course is typically three or four units. There’s no limit on the number of units you can complete each term, so the more courses you complete, the quicker you can finish your program.
An unofficial estimated 14 courses are fulfilled by your associate degree leaving 27 courses.
This is an unofficial estimate of your transfer credits. You may receive more or less credits depending upon the specific courses taken to complete your degree and other credits you may have.
Below are the anticipated courses that will be fulfilled based on your indication that you have earned an associate’s degree. During the enrollment process this information will be verified.
37 Courses
Program consists of 37 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Capstone Project
Special requirements for this program
WGU’s B.S. Marketing degree program includes a capstone experience that challenges you to design, implement, and analyze a marketing campaign. You will be given business scenarios using simulations and case studies to apply critical-thinking and decision-making skills. You will analyze the business environment and make decisions about market segmentation, buyer behavior, and the marketing mix. You will then use marketing analytics to report marketing campaign results and make recommendations. You will complete this final assignment using knowledge gained through your studies at WGU.
Skills For Your Résumé
As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for.
- Communications: Successfully utilized effective communication techniques to influence and guide outcomes, achieving desired results through persuasive communication.
- Marketing: Developed a marketing strategy in alignment with business objectives, driving successful campaigns and contributing to overall organizational growth.
- Sales: Consistently recommended products to customers based on their unique needs and interests, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and sales revenue.
- Management: Utilized analytical skills and market research to make informed organizational decisions, contributing to improved efficiency and successful business outcomes.
- Project Management: Applied project management approaches to a diverse range of structured contexts and situations, ensuring efficient project execution and delivery of desired outcomes.
- Product Management: Developed comprehensive personas for target customers corresponding to each phase of the product life cycle, including innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards, facilitating effective product marketing and successful customer engagement throughout the entire lifecycle.
“At WGU, it feels more like, 'We are here for you. So whenever you're ready, we're ready.'”
—Andrea Petty
B.S. Marketing
WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
TUITION STRUCTURE
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
SUPPORT
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
EXAMS
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
SCHEDULE
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
TRANSFER CREDITS
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
Why WGU?
Earning Potential
A degree can dramatically impact your earning potential. After graduation WGU marketing students report earning $14,337* more per year.
*WGU Internal Data
On Your Schedule
Competency-based education means you can move as quickly through your degree as you can master the material. You don't have to log in to classes at a certain time—you are truly in the driver's seat of your education
Entirely Online
The marketing bachelor's degree at WGU is 100% online, which means it works wherever you are. You can do your coursework at night after working at your full-time job, on weekends, while you're traveling the world or on vacation—it's entirely up to you.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
COST & TIME
An Online Marketing Degree That's Affordable
By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
A Marketing Degree Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.
*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
A Different Way to Learn: Degree Programs Designed to Fit Your Life—and All the Demands on Your Time
Professional responsibilities. Family obligations. Personal commitments. At WGU, we understand schedules are tight and often unpredictable for adult students. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalized approach to how education should be. No rigid class schedules. Just a solid, career-focused teaching program that meshes with your current lifestyle. You'll be challenged. You'll work hard. But if you commit yourself and put in the hours needed, WGU makes it possible for you to earn a highly respected degree as a busy working adult.
"Great education courses that allowed myself to push and learn at my comfortable pace. Fantastic course instructors and mentors that wanted me to succeed.”
—Spencer Nance
B.S. Marketing
CAREER OUTLOOK
Success in Business Starts With a College Degree in Marketing
What can you do with a marketing degree? Marketing is a lucrative, exciting, and always changing profession. This online bachelor's degree prepares you to be a marketer that will impact your organization, the industry, and your entire community. You will have the skills you need to create positive change in important ways. This marketing bachelor's degree program will help you enhance your communication skills and marketing perception, preparing you for a wide variety of valuable careers.
A successful career in marketing requires an up-to-date understanding of how to position a product or service to consumers and build a brand’s image. It’s a field that requires creative thinking and good communication skills. WGU’s online Bachelor of Science in Marketing is designed to teach you how to develop a brand that will succeed in a competitive marketplace.
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2023 Harris Poll Survey of 1,655 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
This program covers a wide range of career-relevant topics such as marketing, finance, human resources, operations, and strategy. You’ll learn how to analyze financial statements, create marketing plans, manage human resources effectively, and make strategic decisions that drive business success. Whether you want to earn a raise, a promotion, or pursue an entirely new future, our program can help you stand out from the competition and achieve your goals.
8%
Overall employment of advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is projected to grow 8% through 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Develop a Strategy for Your Marketing Career
Job Titles
- Marketing Manager
- Content Marketing Specialist
- Social Media Manager
- Marketing Analyst
- Brand Manager
- Sales Manager
Skills
- Marketing Analytics
- Marketing Strategy
- Project Management
- Global Marketing
- Brand Management
Employment Opportunities
- Brand Management
- Product Management
- Digital Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Email Marketing
- Copywriting
WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers
ADMISSIONS & TRANSFERS
Admissions Requirements - Marketing
Applicants to undergraduate School of Business programs must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND demonstrate program readiness through one of the following options below:
- Option 1: Submit transcripts documenting completion of college-level coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Option 2: Possess a bachelors or associates degree (A.A or A.S. acceptable) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
- Option 3: Submit high school transcripts for review with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
NOTE: You do not need to take the ACT or SAT to be admitted to this program. Learn why we don't require these tests.
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
Transfer Credits
MORE DETAILS
WGU Certificates in Marketing
The marketing degree program allows students to earn valuable credentials on their path to a degree, including the marketing, strategic thinking and innovation, and leadership certificates. These certificates allow you to demonstrate mastery and add credentials to your résumé before you even graduate with your degree.
Frequently Asked Questions about Marketing
- General Marketing Program Questions
- Earning your Marketing Degree Online
Marketers do all kinds of work to help drive customers to their product, and there are many career paths within the marketing field. These can include a focus on many of the areas within digital marketing including—paid advertisements, content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), website development and analysis, social media campaigns, and email marketing. Other areas of marketing can focus on maintaining customer relationships with career paths in sales, business development, account management, and sales management. Marketers can also have career paths in public relations, event planning, sales promotions and advertising, market research, and brand management. Marketers can focus on business-to-consumer or business-to-business relationships.
There is not one major that is better than another—it all depends on what you want! There are many different skills you will learn in a marketing degree program versus a management degree program. A marketing degree program focuses on the activities to drive demand for products and services. These activities include understanding the customer and how marketing strategies are used to create brands and customer relationships. In a management degree you’ll focus on the administration of the organization through its people, process, and leadership. While marketing and management apply to many types of industries, for-profit, non-profit, and government, marketing focuses on creating customer value, and management focuses on the internal organizational activities.
If you’re looking to pursue a career in marketing, a bachelor’s degree in marketing is a great option. A bachelor’s degree in marketing will help you learn about business fundamentals, traditional and digital marketing, marketing strategy, social media, brand management, sales management, problem-solving, sales forecasting, and service marketing.
For a traditional bachelor's degree program you should expect it will take you 4 years to complete. However, some online colleges like WGU will allow you to move faster. At WGU, most students finish their marketing degree within 36 months.
A marketing degree will typically fall under a business college. Because marketing is a critical function of every business that aligns directly with the sales techniques and overall budgets of an organization, most marketing degrees are part of a business program.
If you have a marketing degree you can likely get a job in any industry. All kinds of businesses and organizations rely on marketing professionals to help them reach their audience. There are many career paths for professionals who have a marketing degree, including:
- Marketing specialist
- Marketing manager
- Advertising manager
- Public relations manager
Absolutely. A traditional or online marketing degree can help you gain key skills and credentials that will ensure you're ready for your career. A good traditional or online program will teach you about traditional marketing techniques, email marketing, digital marketing, social media, brand strategy, content, sales, and more. A degree can help you boost your earning potential and be qualified for jobs.
Yes, WGU's marketing degree is ranked #1 in degree completions. Students that start the marketing program at WGU are more likely to complete it and enhance their marketability and employability. B.S. marketing students average a $10,686 raise in pay within two years of graduation.*
*WGU Internal Data
You have the potential to earn three certificates as you complete the marketing degree. Certificates are a group of courses related to a set of knowledge that are awarded when competency is demonstrated. Within the marketing degree, and in addition to earning a bachelor’s degree, you’ll can earn certificates in strategic thinking and innovation, leadership, and marketing. These certificates provide a group of courses that will compliment your marketing career with an understanding of how strategic thinking, innovation, and leadership enhance your marketing activities. Certificates can be marketed to employers when they are earned and enhance professional reputation and marketability, providing you a competitive advantage in the job market.
Yes! There are many options available that allow students to pursue a marketing degree online. Research business programs to find the right option as far as program length, courses, and career outcomes. Your program should prepare you with a variety of skills such as digital marketing, sales management, brand strategy, and more.
A traditional bachelor's degree in marketing will take 4 years to complete. However, there are many online marketing degree options that may allow you to accelerate and finish your degree much faster. For example, at WGU you may be able to finish your degree in just 3 years.
WGU’s marketing degree is a complete program that prepares students for a career in marketing. You will gain knowledge in traditional marketing concepts, along with knowledge in digital marketing, data literacy, and customer-focused strategies. Throughout the marketing degree you will have the opportunity to develop a professional portfolio to show employers your marketing skills. You will write a marketing plan, create a consumer persona, write a brand strategy and a brand crisis management plan, create a content asset by writing a blog post, and prepare presentations that include making marketing campaign recommendations. You will gain real-world application throughout your marketing courses that is directly applicable to a career in marketing. You will get to “do” marketing throughout the WGU marketing degree to enhance your own marketability!
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?