Students of marketing will be glad to hear that there are accredited online Masters in Marketing Degrees available through officially recognized accrediting agencies. Read on to learn more about the higher learning accreditation bodies that endorse online Masters in Marketing Degrees.
Who Accredits Online Degrees?
While the U.S. Department of Education does not accredit individual educational programs, they do publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies. The Department of Education lists quite a few regional and national accrediting agencies for educational institutions on their website. For example, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges mainly accredits career and trade schools, while the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training primarily accredits distance and continuing education programs.
Independent colleges are accredited through the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. On the other hand, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission is the standard accrediting agency for online or correspondence education schools. There are also regional accrediting bodies for online programs, such as the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. Traditional region accrediting bodies include the Southern and Northern Associations of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Finally, the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission is a main accrediting agency for Christian post-secondary institutions.
Any online master’s in marketing programs that is accredited by a body recognized by the Department of Education is a legitimate degree program.
Online Marketing Programs
Online masters in marketing programs will focus on central themes, such as how to build brands, engage audiences, plan marketing campaigns and perform research and analysis. Students will acquire the fundamental analytical, critical-thinking, interpersonal and decision-making skills required to excel in the field of marketing. Many masters in marketing degree programs will offer certain specializations.
A new media and communications concentration will focus on new trends and technologies that businesses are using to engage customers, such as blogs, podcasts and mobile apps. A marketing research and analysis specialization will train students how to directly influence the success of a service or product. They will accomplish this through helping their organization understand what people will purchase through in-depth market demographic research. A social media concentration will teach students about how to develop, plan and coordinate social media marketing campaigns in order to increase online traffic, conversions and revenue.
Sample Master’s in Marketing Curriculum
Master’s in marketing programs are designed to teach a set of skills and knowledge. For example, students must learn how to evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative market data for strategic marketing plans. They must learn how to apply marketing theories and practices to create integrated goals and strategies that maximize customer engagement and revenue opportunities. Additionally, students will learn how to subtly distribute brand and marketing information through diverse media platforms.
Sample classes include marketing analytics, consumer behavior and integrated marketing communications. To illustrate, the last class will teach students how to develop, evaluate and implement integrated marketing communication strategies in their industry. Other classes will cover strategic internet and social media marketing. These courses will cover online strategies, consumer behaviors and business models. Students will study the psychology of sales, marketing and advertising. Finally, students will learn how to ensure that their organization’s marketing practices comply with legal and ethical standards.
Accredited online Masters in Marketing Degrees are certified through organizations that are recognized by the Department of Education. These programs will teach students the key skills they need to succeed in the competitive field of marketing.
