The 10 Best Online Masters in Social Media Marketing Degree Programs

The field of marketing is extremely dynamic, influential, and constantly evolving so many companies find themselves having to expand or create positions in digital and social media to keep up with the consumer behavior. Marketing is all about communicating effectively with a targeted audience, with digital marketing focused on expressing ideas and engaging with consumers through the development of digital content. Basically, marketing is the creative side of business and creativity has been named the No. 1 leadership competency of the future by 1,500 chief executives featured in a Newsweek cover story. As a career, marketing is growing at a rate of 22%—well above the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for marketing professionals is $62,150 for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists, and $128,750 for Marketing Managers. A marketing degree expands your options to almost any industry such as financial services, advertising, retailing, social media and/or marketing management. Look for job titles such as Digital Marketing Specialist, Web Developer/Webmaster, Content Manager, Public Relations Manager, Social Media Analyst, and Communications Coordinator to name a few. With a degree in Marketing and Social Media, you will learn how to connect business strategy to crucial marketing communications techniques, implement and assess strategies for social media, and create digital and social media for effective marketing campaigns. If you are someone who is both creative and analytical, a great communicator, and have a keen eye for spotting trends, you need to major in the field of marketing. With a marketing degree, you will not only explore social media tools but other digital media including mobile platforms and SEO optimization strategies. Further, you will learn how to effectively develop social media tactics and integrate them into an organization’s overall communication strategy. Selected below is a selection of the 10 Best Online Bachelor’s degree programs that will best prepare you to excel in the marketing profession. The programs were chosen based on the factors of affordability, flexibility, and prestige.  

1.) Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University (A-State), founded in 1909, is Arkansas’ cutting-edge research university committed to science-based economic development at affordable costs. A typical Midwestern town, Jonesville is the fifth-most populous city in Arkansas and serves as the regional center for manufacturing, agriculture, medicine, education, and trade. With institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, A-State ranks #59 Regional University South by U.S. News & World Report. A-State offers exceptional financial aid plans with 85% of full-time undergraduates receiving an average of $10,000 in need-based aid while 50% of all students have their financial aid needs fully met. The university enrolls approximately 14,000 students. Arkansas State University’s Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communications with an emphasis in Social Media Management is a 100% online program that will prepare graduates to become communications industry professionals and to manage and improve any businesses’ online influence–specifically through Google Analytics and Hootsuite certification. The 120-credit-hour curriculum requires 35 hours of General Education courses, 20 hours of communications major requirements, 21 hours of social media management emphasis courses, 6 hours of additional courses, and 18-21 hours of minor courses to choose among political science, sociology, and criminology. Furthermore, to satisfy the requirements, between 14 and 17 hours of electives are also required. The program guarantees affordability due to a $223 credit-hour cost. Finally, the program promises flexibility thanks to a transfer credit policy that may fulfill the additional 14-17 credit-hours of electives.

• Homepage
• Affordability: $223
• Flexibility Enhancing Components: Transfer credits may replace the additional 14-17 credit hours of electives

 

2.) Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), started in 1932, is a private, non-profit institution with one of the largest student populations in the United States. The school occupies a suburban, 338-acre campus in Manchester, NH–the largest city in New Hampshire and about an hour outside Boston, MA. SNHU currently ranks #101 Regional Universities and #12 Regional University South by U.S. News & World Report. Southern New Hampshire registers approximately 3,029 undergraduate students on-campus, guarantees a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, and 54.6% of classes cater to fewer than 20 students. Southern New Hampshire’s B.S in Marketing with an emphasis in Social Media Marketing will introduce students to the strategic aspect of both marketing and social media, but also implement and assess strategies for social media. Student will also learn to create digital and social media for effective marketing, explore and apply social media tools, and integrate them into an organization’s communication strategy. The 120-credit-hour program requires courses in general education, business core, 6 major courses including a strategic marketing planning capstone, and 1-5 marketing electives, but there are also internship options. The program offers prestige with an accreditation from the NEASC. Finally, the program provides affordability because of a $320 credit-hour cost.

• Homepage
• Affordability: $320
• Flexibility Enhancing Components: N/A

 

3.) Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University (KSU), started in 1963, is a public institution. The establishment occupies a suburban 581-acre campus in Kennesaw, GA–only 20 miles from Atlanta. Accredited by the Southern Association Of Colleges and Schools Commission–KSU currently ranks as a Tier 2 National University and #150 Best Business Program by U.S. News & World Report. Kennesaw State University registers about 30,480 undergraduate students, promises a student-faculty ratio of 21:1, and 32.1% of classes cater to less than than 20 students. Kennesaw State University’s Bachelor in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from the Coles College of Business offers courses in Consumer Behavior, Market Research, and International Marketing with an emphasis on Social Media, Sales, and Advertising. The program prepares students to work in retail, advertising, social media and/or marketing management and has an estimated completion time of 2 years. To obtain a B.B.A, students must complete general education requirements, core business, and marketing major courses. The program offers great flexibility with three career paths and even the option to create your own. Minors are also available in Marketing, Sports Marketing, and Engagement Marketing. The program guarantees affordability due to a $257 credit-hour cost. Finally, the program offers flexibility thanks to multiple marketing concentrations.

• Homepage
• Affordability: $257
• Flexibility Enhancing Components: Three marketing concentrations

 

4.) Granite State University

Granite State College (GSU), established in 1972, is a public, coed university known for offering accessible and affordable education. The establishment sits on a suburban campus in Concord, NH. Also accredited by the New England Association Of Schools And Colleges, GSU currently ranks #99 Best Online Bachelor’s Program and #63 Best Online Graduate Business Program by U.S. News & World Report. Granite State College registers approximately 1,870 undergraduate students, promises a student-faculty ratio of 12:1, and 80.1% of classes cater to less than than 20 students. Granite State College’s Bachelor of Sciences in Digital and Social Media is available completely online and incorporates technical and creative practices with modern communications systems to prepare students for the fields of digital communications and social media in the public and private sector. Students will gain competencies in messaging and information management, emerging environments, and technology. Top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report for online bachelor’s degrees, GSU’s 120-credit-hour curriculum requires 15 degree-oriented courses–the rest are general core and electives. The program promises prestige due to a regional accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Additionally, the program guarantees affordability with a $335 credit-hour cost, a generous transfer-credit policy–84% of students are transfer students–and recognition from the US Department of Education as the most affordable college in New England based on total tuition cost.

• Homepage
• Affordability: $335
• Flexibility Enhancing Components: Generous transfer policy. 84% of students are transfer students

 

5.) Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

Indiana Wesleyan University–Marion (IWU–M), established in 1920, is a private, evangelical Christian institution that blends academics and spiritual life. The establishment occupies an urban, 345-acre campus in Marion, IN–1.5 hours north of Indianapolis. Also accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, IWU–M currently ranks #27 Best Regional University Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. Indiana Wesleyan University–Marion registers approximately 2,933 undergraduate students, guarantees a student-faculty ratio of 14:1, and 66.3% of classes cater to less than than 20 students. Indiana Wesleyan University–Marion’s Bachelor of Science in Marketing offers four industry-related specializations in Marketing Analytics, Social Media, Service & Non-Profit Marketing & Digital Branding, and Advertising & Promotions. The 120-credit-hour curriculum requires 8 core courses core and 4 specialization elective courses. Core BS Marketing courses may be completed in 12 months where students learn to apply business analysis and problem solving skills to marketing environments, use marketing communication methods in business environments, apply relevant marketing technologies–all within a biblical and ethical framework. The program offers affordability thanks to a $424 credit-hour cost.

• Homepage
• Affordability: $424
• Flexibility Enhancing Components: Social media concentration

 

6.) Bellevue University

Bellevue University was founded in 1966 in Bellevue, Nebraska and has been a leader in adult education ever since. Bellevue is a private, non-profit, regionally accredited institution serving over 13,000 students. Since 1996, Bellevue University has been offering online degree programs, and the first in the country to offer a Master of Business Administration degree online. Today, the school has campuses throughout the American Midwest. As one of the most affordable online options, Bellevue offers many financing options such as financial aid, need-based scholarships and loans, included for part-time students. Bellevue University has received countless of accolades and has set the standards of excellence in a variety of categories relating to performance and results. To highlight just a few pertinent awards, the school was named among the most innovative universities and ranked #1 for “Most Generous Credit Transfer Policy” by Online Course Report in 2017. Moreover, it was ranked in the top 25 for “Best Affordable Online Masters in Computer Science” from OnlineU.org, and Best Online Master’s in Computer Science & IT Programs in 2015 by SuperScholar.org. Finally, Bellevue has received accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission through the U.S. Department of Education. Bellevue University’s Bachelor of Science in Marketing offers a blend of theory and applied learning. Students will learn how to develop digital marketing strategies and manage marketing channels and resources while improving business performance. Moreover, students will learn how to develop marketing leadership strategies, perform market research, and use data analytics to analyze markets, market conditions, and consumer behavior. The 127-credit-hour program requires 27 general education credits, 51 elective credits, 40 major credits, and 9 Kirkpatrick Signature Series credits–a crucial part of the Bellevue undergraduate program. Furthermore, students will build an e-portfolio to showcase their proficiency in marketing strategies, including a comprehensive marketing plan. The program provides affordability because of a $410 credit-hour cost and a generous transfer-credit policy.

• Homepage
• Affordability: $410
• Flexibility Enhancing Components: Focuses on digital marketing

 

7.) University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix (UOPX), founded in 1976, is a proprietary, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Apollo Group–an S&P 500 corporation that provides higher learning and career-relevant education for working adults. The university is known for its “Corporate Articulation Agreements” where working students can earn college credit for the training they have completed at their jobs. The establishment occupies an urban campus headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, but also maintains 91 campuses nationwide and offers courses online. Also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, UOPX currently ranks #193 Best Online Bachelor’s Program by U.S. News & World Report. The University of Phoenix registers approximately 162,435 total undergraduate students. The University of Phoenix’s Bachelor of Science in Business with a Digital Marketing Certificate equips students with skills in Digital Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, and Consumer Behavior delivered through a blend of theory and applied knowledge for a business setting. The 120-credit-hour program requires 21 core courses that cover the areas of Accounting, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Economics, Finance, Business Law & Ethics, Management, Marketing, Organizational Behavior, Business Statistics, and Information Systems. The program provides prestige with a highly experienced faculty. Finally, the program promises affordability with a $415 credit-hour cost.

• Homepage
• Affordability: $415
• Flexibility Enhancing Components: N/A

 

8.) New England College of Business and Finance

New England College of Business and Finance (NECB), started in 1909, is a distance-education-only, private, for-profit university that offers credit for life experiences. The establishment can be found on a large urban campus headquartered in Boston, MA. Also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, NECB is currently ranked #172 Best Online Bachelor’s Program and #55 Best Online graduate Business Program by U.S. News & World Report. The school promises flexibility with a very generous transfer policy with the possibility to transfer up to 90 hrs, the equivalent of 75% of the curriculum. New England College of Business and Finance enrolls roughly 910 undergraduate and 500 graduate students. New England College of Business and Finance’s Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing (BSDM) gives students the formal training to harness the power of digital marketing via mobile devices, social networks, graphic design, and the internet. The program is delivered in an interactive online learning environment designed to develop your creative, technical, and business competencies in order to excel in the marketing profession. The 121-credit-hour curriculum requires 8 degree courses in digital marketing, 9 core courses in business, a senior capstone, 12 elective courses, and 55 credit-hours of general core. Students will focus on how digital marketing aligns with business goals with an emphasis on Web Analytics, Mobile Technologies, Social Media & SEO, Email Marketing, Online Automated Tools, and Viral Marketing. The program offers prestige due to a 2014 Gold Award for Best Practices from the USDLA and an ACHE Award for Creative Use of Technology. Finally, the program offers affordability thanks to a $485 credit-hour cost.

• Homepage
• Affordability: 485
• Flexibility Enhancing Components: Very generous transfer policy

 

9.) Franklin University

Franklin University (FU), started in 1902, is a private, not-for-profit institution designed for adult learners. The establishment occupies a campus in Columbus, OH–the largest city in and capital of Ohio which, in 2016, was ranked one of the 6 Best Big Cities, and best in the Midwest, for wage growth and a highly educated workforce (Money Magazine). Franklin University matriculates approximately 3,921 undergraduate students, promises a student-faculty ratio of 13:1. Franklin University’s helps students gain expertise in the core areas of marketing strategy, market research, strategy & analysis, promotion, and digital advertising. The curriculum is taught using a simulated business environment and focuses on the areas of social media, analytics, and consumer behavior that will prepare students to work in a variety of industries. The 124-credit-hour program requires 24 general education courses, 28 credit-hours of business core, and 8 major-related elective courses. Core business courses include Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Business Law, Microeconomics, Finance, Management, and Marketing. The program provides prestige due to a faculty full of industry and research experts. Finally, the program promises affordability with a $509 credit-hour cost and a transfer-credit policy that offers credit for prior experiences and advanced placement exams.

• Homepage
• Affordability: $509
• Flexibility Enhancing Components: Credit for prior experiences