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Master's in Marketing Online MS Degree Program

Naeem Jaraysi, who earned a marketing degree in 2021, standing and working on a laptop with an SNHU sticker on the front.

Cost per credit $637

Total courses 12

Term length 10 weeks

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Program Overview Why get a master's in marketing?

Master areas like branding and campaign planning and analysis while learning to engage target audiences through traditional and emerging media channels in the Master of Science (MS) in Marketing program at Southern New Hampshire University.

Skills you'll learn:

  • How to develop a marketing plan
  • Marketing theory and practice
  • Stakeholder negotiation
  • International marketing strategies
  • Legal, regulatory and ethical practices
  • Brand management
Naeem Jaraysi, who earned his degree from SNHU in 2020, speaking to a woman while standing in front of a projection screen displaying green and blue line, bar and pie charts.

Courses & Curriculum Online master's in marketing courses that prepare you for your career

Explore emerging marketing trends, dive deeper into your interests and strengthen your overall skills and knowledge in the online MS in Marketing program at SNHU. Covering the latest in marketing and offering 4 concentration options and a broad range of electives, you can build an advanced marketing foundation while tailoring the program to support of your personal career goals.

Concentrations

Master's in marketing online concentrations

Explore a range of interesting and relevant electives in the general track, or choose from 4 career-focused concentrations:

In a world that's gone digital, we need marketers to help keep authentic connections alive, which is why you can learn to master the industry's demands and earn your Master of Science (MS) in Marketing with a concentration in Digital Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University.

The ways in which consumers interact with brands in the digital space is constantly evolving as new platforms, trends and behaviors emerge. From websites and blogs to social media and ebooks, digital marketing continues to reach consumers in new and exciting ways. And because digital media is everywhere, there are almost endless options when it comes to choosing a career path.

Adding the digital marketing concentration to your master's in digital marketing online can help you to engage with an increasingly savvy audience, while also strategically targeting them for best results. This concentration covers the three main areas of digital marketing: paid, owned and earned. Students will examine key digital marketing strategies including branding and storytelling, search engine optimization, mobile marketing, gamification and multichannel integration. Upon graduating, you'll be able to develop integrated digital marketing strategies that leverage new and emerging platforms and tools to boost an organization's overall marketing strategy and drive positive results.

Danielle Upham with the text Danielle Upham

"Digital marketing is an incredible skill because – as we saw during the COVID pandemic – everyone is online," said Danielle Upham '21, who added the digital marketing concentration to her master's degree. "Reaching the customers globally now gives companies an incredible advantage that they didn’t have before."

Career outlook:

A master's in marketing with a digital marketing concentration can help prepare you for more senior-level roles within any company or advertising agency you join. If you're looking to bring the next big campaign concept or digital brand strategy to life, a digital marketing concentration will be useful in keeping you ahead of the curve in today's digital economy.

Courses may include:

  • Social Media Marketing
  • Websites and Search Engine Marketing / Search Engine Optimization
  • Online Marketing Channels
  • Digital Story Telling and Branding
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New media technologies and trends are rapidly changing. Today, businesses engage customers with online tools like social networks, video, blogs, podcasts, mobile technology and more – sometimes even before the impact of these technologies is fully understood.

At Southern New Hampshire University, you can learn the specialized skills and strategies needed to develop successful new media campaigns in the Master of Science (MS) in Marketing with a concentration in New Media and Communications program. You'll examine how advances in media and technology have impacted our culture, relationships and the messages we receive. From uncovering how media has altered the society in which we live and exploring the social impact of communication, to navigating our own professional and personal digital identities, you'll investigate the practical aspect of various technologies to become both a savvy marketing professional and a critic of emerging media tools and resources.

Christine Bord with the text Christine Bord

“I think a degree in new media is of value because it helps hone the skills necessary to succeed in this industry, like writing, graphic design, video production and marketing,” said Christine Bord, an adjunct instructor in Southern New Hampshire University’s communications department. “This is also a very competitive field, and many employers are looking for candidates who have a degree in media and marketing.”

Career outlook:

Earning an online master's degree in new media marketing could help you pursue roles in marketing, public relations and fundraising. With skills in identifying key audiences and the ability to communicate a brand through creative campaign design, you could also pursue marketing director roles at advertising agencies or in-house at companies in various industries.

Courses may include:

  • Communication, Media & Society
  • Second Self: Identity & Personal Brands
  • Communication with Media Technology
  • New Media Campaign Design & Marketing

If you're interested in this concentration, you may also want to consider earning your online master's in communication, which offers a concentration in new media and marketing.

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Market research analysts are essential to determining the success of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people will purchase by gathering data on consumer demographics, preferences and buying habits. With a concentration in marketing research and analytics, you'll be able to merge the voice and needs of the customer with the data to back up your claims.

The Master of Science (MS) in Marketing with a concentration in Marketing Research and Analytics can give you the tools you need to collect and evaluate meaningful information through market research, interviews, focus groups, surveys and public opinion polls while applying statistical techniques and software.

Upon completion of the online master's in marketing research program, you'll be able to recommend strategies for modifying products and services based on your analysis and interpretation of collected consumer behavior data. And, while using this data in the present is useful to any employer, you'll also be able to forecast future trends – a skill that can set you apart from other job candidates.

Career outlook:

Brands and organizations are always looking to better understand consumer behavior and optimize strategies to garner more positive results, so it's no surprise that job growth in this area is strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of market research analysts is projected to grow 13% through 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations, and the median annual wage for market research analysts was $74,680 in May 2023.1

Courses may include:

  • Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making
  • Market Research
  • Websites and Search Engine Marketing/ Search Engine Optimization
  • Advanced Marketing Research and Analytics (Capstone)
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Social media is a vital marketing tool that has a huge impact on traffic generation and revenue. Now more than ever, consumers are turning to social media to do everything from making purchases and sharing content to expressing their opinions of brands and products with their own followers. What once had to be accomplished in a store or on a phone call can now be accomplished with the tap of a button on a mobile device, so businesses need social media-savvy professionals to plan, direct and coordinate attention-grabbing social media campaigns that target current and potential customers in an authentic, natural and relatable way.

By enrolling in the Master of Science (MS) in Marketing with a concentration in Social Media Marketing, you can build the skills you'll need – as well as reputable, industry-wide certifications such as the HubSpot Social Media Certification, Hootsuite Platform Training and HubSpot Inbound Certification – to develop social media strategies while upholding evolving best practices.

This concentration includes an in-depth marketing foundation, along with a focus on social media marketing channels and strategies. Upon completion of the program, you'll know how to create, implement and measure a social media marketing campaign that engages customers, raises brand awareness and drives revenue.

Career outlook:

From directing social media campaigns to developing best practices and strategies for how to use new and current marketing channels, adding social media to your master's in marketing toolkit will give you even greater knowledge of in-depth social media strategies, analytics and reporting. It could also put you on the right track to a senior-level role in a sought-after field.

Courses may include:

  • Social Media Marketing
  • Online Marketing Channels
  • Social Media Marketing Strategy
  • Social Media Marketing Campaigns
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Apply for free in minutes

Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!

Upcoming term starts: October 14, 2024 | January 06, 2024

Next term starts:
July 29, 2024

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Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.

What to expect:

10-week terms

Learn around your schedule

24/7 online support

Online Classroom

What does an online course look like?

You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:

  • Schedule of weekly assignments
  • Discussion boards
  • Grades
  • Instructor announcements
How to Take an Online Class at SNHU
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Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free

No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.

All it takes is 3 simple steps

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You’ll fill out one form to verify your high school completion or GED. Then, if you’ve attended college before, you’ll submit a form for each school so we can request your transcripts for you. (Also for free!)

After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu

Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which means we meet certain standards of academic quality, and have the tools and resources necessary for students to be successful. The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

This program and its concentrations are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Student achievement data can be found on the ACBSP accreditation page.

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online graduate programs

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 36-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$637
$1,911
$22,932
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$470
$1,410
$16,920

*before previously earned credits are applied

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

$1,911 $3,822 $5,733 $7,644
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

If 3 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $17,199

If 6 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $15,288

If 9 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $13,377

If 12 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $11,466

How we estimate your tuition cost:

We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a master's degree. Most master's degrees require 36 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 12 credits, requiring a minimum of 24 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.

Career Outlook What can I do with an online master's of marketing?

From digital marketing and social media to marketing research and branding – marketing is an expansive industry with seemingly endless career opportunities. Our MS in Marketing degree includes timely and relevant content that will prepare you for a variety of roles in today's landscape.

As an advertising, promotions and marketing manager, you could be the person who oversees major marketing functions on a team or for an entire organization, helping sell products and services through effective marketing strategy and campaigns.

Occupations

Getting a master's in marketing online could help position you for a variety of career tracks. Depending on your goals, you could find yourself in exciting roles, like:

Coordinate marketing efforts, identify target audiences, develop marketing strategies and oversee product development.

Study market conditions to determine how products will perform against the competition.

Develop, direct and report on social media campaigns and strategies for advertising agencies, big household brands and non-profits.

Identify and implement growth opportunities through market demand assessments, strategic maneuvers and relationship and brand building.

Determine which media channels and buys will best serve target markets based on the client's short-term and long-term goals.

Oversee campaigns and events for nonprofit organizations, creating experiences that move people and businesses to donate.

6%

Increase in advertising, promotions and marketing manager positions through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1

$156,580

Median annual salary for advertising, promotions and marketing managers as of May 2023, according to the BLS.1

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is always demand for professionals with business knowledge, creative expertise and the ability to create results. And the good news is, this type of work can be done in an agency, in-house or even remotely for any period of time. In good financial times and in bad, businesses often look to marketing professionals to turn things around financially. While no job is truly recession-proof, a master's in marketing provides a strong measure of job security even in a down economy.

With a master’s in marketing, you’ll be prepared for an in-demand professional career. You can work as a marketing analyst, brand director or market research analyst in a variety of organizations. An MS in Marketing is also a pathway to leadership roles at the director, vice president or CEO level. Jobs in digital marketing, social media and marketing analytics are all ways that an MS in Marketing can help you further your career.

Of particular note, our MS in Marketing helps prepare students for the American Marketing Association’s Professional Certified Marketer (PCM©) certification exam. This credential provides additional specialization in multiple areas of marketing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers are expected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032, while the 2023 median pay for professionals in these fields was $156,580 per year.1

Some typical jobs for a person with a master’s in marketing are:

  • Advertising manager. This position creates interest for the sales of products or services. Data analysis, strategy and creative skills factor in heavily here.
  • Account manager. Enjoy creating or leading advertising or marketing campaigns. Track results and leverage data into future campaign development.
  • Promotions manager. Combine advertising with purchasing to drive sales. You might create campaigns to raise money through discounts, rebates or contests. Graphic design skills are helpful but not required here.
  • Marketing manager. Somebody in this position develops strategies to sell the products or services of their organization or clients.
  • Market research analyst. This position is heavy on analytics and data. They research and gather data on consumer demographics and buying habits to help determine a company’s position in the marketplace and increase sales.

It’s important to note that marketing provides a strong set of skills – even in a down economy. Organizations often look to the marketing team first to provide messaging and strategic support when times are tough financially. The set of skills you gain with an MS in marketing can help you keep a strong standing with employment even when economic circumstances shift.

That depends on your goals. Marketing is a multi-faceted field. It integrates business concepts with areas of specialization like social media marketing, global marketing and research. An MBA will focus more on finance, accounting, business administration and even law.

The MBA in Marketing curriculum at Southern New Hampshire University consists of 7 MBA core courses and 3 marketing course electives. Those with non-business academic backgrounds may be required to take foundation courses.

SNHU's MS in Marketing program totals 36 credits and gives you the option to take the general track or one of 4 concentrations: new media and communications, marketing research and analytics, social media marketing and digital marketing.

"What led me to SNHU was I was looking at other colleges and kind of comparing the degrees that they had and the different focuses that they offered – and SNHU basically gave me the most options as well as the best focus that I could find," said Naeem Jaraysi '20, who said other degrees were "mainly business with a focus in marketing, but I wanted something a little bit more."

Yolanda Y. Cox '21 agreed.

"After talking to the admission counselor about the MBA program and the MS Marketing program, everything just clicked," she said. "The other schools that I contacted wanted me to enroll in an MBA program. I knew it wasn’t for me, but they didn’t give me any other options. SNHU had several choices that fit my life goals."

To specialize even further, SNHU’s MS in Marketing helps prepare students for the American Marketing Association’s Professional Certified Marketer© certification exam. This credential lets you focus even further on the content, sales or digital aspects of marketing.

Absolutely. Because the MS in Marketing helps you focus your studies in marketing specifically, a broad background in any complementary field will be appropriate.

A bachelor’s degree in any related field can be a good foundation for an MS in marketing. For example, a bachelor’s degree in a creative field like writing or English, graphic design or communication would be a good foundation for an MS in Marketing. A bachelor’s degree in an analytical field like statistics, systems science, finance or business would also serve you well.

Jordan Remmes '16 had previously earned her Bachelor's in Communication through a campus program at Southern New Hampshire University in 2008. That degree offered enough flexibility in its curriculum, lending itself as a solid foundation for her master's in marketing program.

"SNHU gave me the opportunity and the support that I needed as a student," she said.

And before enrolling in his master's, Derald Wise '18 had earned his BA in Game Art & Development here in 2014.

"As I kind of moved on in my career to more management and strategy, I started focusing on marketing and a lot of that was to kind of understand demographics, how to communicate, understanding what drives these individuals or organizations to either procure or find solutions," he said. "It was kind of a nice business end to the actual technical development."

Before enrolling in the master's of marketing program at SNHU, Naeem Jaraysi '21 earned a bachelor's in psychology. But he knew he didn't want to take a clinical path.

"I wanted to pair my psychology degree with a marketing degree," he said. By choosing more of a social psychology route for his career, he could dive into studying consumer behavior – a hugely beneficial area of importance to marketing departments across industries.

Our advisors are standing by to help ensure you earn the maximum transfer credits from your existing degree. Of course, work experience in the field of marketing coupled with a bachelor’s degree will help you design your MS in Marketing program to suit your goals.

Because marketing is such a dynamic field, there are multiple degree paths to help you reach your goals. An MS in Marketing allows you to build on an existing bachelor’s degree – marketing or otherwise.

For students at the beginning of their education, we offer a pathway from online associate in marketing to online bachelor’s in marketing to our master’s degree in marketing. This pathway will allow you to focus solely on marketing as you advance in your education, making you a true marketing specialist.

Or, you could consider combining a bachelor's in design with a master's in marketing to combine your analytical and creative skills. And, if business is your primary interest? Consider an MBA that focuses on business skills in the marketing arena.

Related Articles

Sources & Citations

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at

  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm (viewed July 12, 2024).
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm (viewed July 12, 2024).

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.