Your Guiding Path
Online MBA with a marketing concentration
You want to stay competitive in your field. With an MBA in marketing, you can set yourself apart. And we'll be here to guide you from enrollment through graduation.
Marketing is an exciting field that combines public-facing duties like communications and promotional strategies with creative problem-solving and analytical skills.
Earning a professional graduate degree in marketing can help you get noticed by employers and set yourself apart from the competition. We’re standing by to help you take the next step.
A marketing MBA combines a general business administration curriculum with specialized courses in marketing practices and principles. In addition to learning about branding and consumer behavior, you will take coursework in leadership and business.
A marketing MBA may also be referred to as:
- MBA in marketing management
- General MBA with a concentration in marketing
An MBA in marketing provides a broad overview of business, finance, and marketing as they relate to general management. These programs are tailored to students seeking versatile knowledge that can be applied to nearly any segment of the business world. Individuals who pursue this degree path may aspire to move into a higher-level role, possibly within a company's C-suite.
Compared to an MBA, a Master of Science in marketing has a narrower scope that allows students to delve into the more complex, technical aspects of marketing functions. A master’s may also cover specific subsets of marketing including advertising, media planning, public relations, and sales. This type of degree is usually best suited to those who have their sights set on a particular marketing career, such as social media strategist or market research analyst.
An MBA with a concentration in marketing focuses on the theory and practice of business and marketing. Typical areas of study include ethics, leadership skills, and the various types of marketing, such as digital marketing, business-to-business marketing, and business-to-consumer marketing.
Core courses
A marketing MBA will require you to take the same core business courses as other specialized MBA programs. At their heart, these programs are designed to equip you with the knowledge you need to take on managerial responsibilities.
Along with a strong foundation in marketing, you will gain skills in:
- Economics
- Global management
- Simulation modeling
- Finance
- Organizational behavior
- Ethics
- Change management
- Budgeting
- Data analysis
- Human resources
Advanced skills
An MBA in marketing offers you the chance to build on your existing knowledge base through close examination and practical application.
Product and brand management
You will explore products that are gaining popularity with consumers and learn tactics for increasing demand and engagement.
This specialized degree covers concepts such as:
- Product promotion
- Product development
- Brand development
- Building an online presence
- Sourcing and supply chain management
- Pricing models
- Profitability analysis
Lead generation
Lead generation is the practice of attracting consumers to a company’s product or services. To do this effectively, you’ll need competency in the following areas:
- Data analytics
- Website analytics
- Consumer experience analysis
- Marketing communications
- Lead development strategies
- Content marketing
- Marketing campaign development
Lead nurturing
Marketing isn’t just about acquiring new customers — building relationships that nurture brand loyalty is equally important.
With a marketing-focused MBA, you can expand your knowledge in:
- Relationship management
- Strategic communication
- Customer journey management
- Purchase decision motivators
- Content creation
- Product and content promotion
- Influencer strategies
- Email marketing
- Blogging
- Video production
Marketing analytics
Honing advanced data analysis skills can help you improve marketing strategies for your organization and positively impact its bottom line.
Expect to investigate topics such as:
- Market research
- Data mining
- Predictive analytics
- Digital analytics tools
- Market trends
- Identification of target audiences
- Data visualization
Social psychology
Understanding consumer motivation is crucial for any role that involves the marketing of products and services.
This area of study allows you to hone expertise in:
- Individual leadership
- Purchase motivators
- Consumer decision-making processes
- Personal influence
- Decision-making
Typical concentrations and electives
Some MBA programs allow you to further specialize by taking electives and choosing a specific area of marketing to focus on. These concentrations can help position you for certain careers.
Examples of concentrations and electives include:
- Integrated marketing communications
- Retail merchandizing
- Customer equity
- E-commerce
- Big data
- Interactive marketing
- Search engine optimization
- Product and service innovation
- International marketing
- Consumer privacy and security
Choose your coursework wisely — it should map to your career goals to help increase your job opportunities and starting salary.
There is no one-size-fits-all model for a graduate education. Many programs come in various forms, each with its own benefits. Here are some of the most common questions you should ask when researching your MBA in marketing:
Is an online MBA program the same as campus-based programs at most universities?
The course content will be largely the same, but the delivery method will be different. Some programs offer 100% online coursework.
How is coursework delivered on an online platform?
Your lectures will likely be presented through video calls or prerecorded sessions with discussions over message boards. All course materials will be accessed online.
Are there hybrid online and on-campus-based program options?
Yes. Some institutions offer programs that blend elements of on-campus learning with online delivery. An example of this might be a predominantly online course that also includes:
- Residencies
- Internships
- Labs
- Seminars
- Networking events
If I graduate from an online program, will my diploma have “online” before the degree?
No. Your diploma will have just the full program name featured, just like any on-campus degree.
You can finish a typical MBA program in about two years if you choose to study full time. Accelerated programs are also available to help you finish more quickly.
Online MBA programs tend to offer flexibility suitable for students who choose to study part time. This option will likely extend your time to completion, but it can allow you to study while fulfilling your familial, social, and professional obligations.
There are two types of accreditation — regional and specialized.
Regional accreditation
Regional accreditation is the most prestigious type of accreditation that an online or traditional college or university can receive. Regional accreditation confirms that the provider has met and maintained adherence to a minimum set of academic standards.
Most regionally accredited schools will only accept credits from other regionally accredited institutions of higher learning.
Specialized accreditation
Schools often apply to gain specialized accreditation for specific areas of study, departments, or degree programs. The leading accreditation for business schools — including those with MBAs in marketing— is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, or AACSB.
Other business-specific accrediting bodies include:
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
Enrolling in an accredited program makes you more marketable to employers and can affect your career growth over the long term.
Why accreditation matters
Accreditation is key if you want to:
- Transfer your credits, as most schools will only accept transfer credits from accredited institutions
- Apply for financial aid, as federal aid is only granted to students who are studying at recognized accredited institutions
Check for both national and regional accreditation at your university of interest. You may also find that your degree program or academic department of interest has additional and specialized accreditations.
Many employers put a lot of stock in the accreditation of an MBA program when interviewing applicants. While there are no guarantees when it comes to finding a job, your choice of institution and its accreditation could end up being the tiebreaker when competing against other qualified candidates.
You have goals. We have a path.
Now more than ever, businesses need professionals with formal training who can engage consumers and deliver measurable results for their organization. As the world’s learning company, we partner with respected universities and employers to ensure we stay attuned to industry demands. If you’re ready to complement your passion for marketing with an advanced credential, we’ll help you find the right path.
Find your path
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