What can I do with a Masters in Marketing?

FACT: Master’s Degrees in Marketing Have an Excellent Career Outlook

Every website, company, and governing body that expects financial growth has practiced the principles of marketing, researched consumer behavior, and engaged in promotional advertising, whether they know it or not. And if they are consciously aware of these practices, then chances are they have a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Marketing team, and Public Relations (PR) department, and that the people who run that team have a marketing education.

FYI: Job Prospects for Marketing Master’s Degree-Holders

Because branded messaging is everywhere, the marketing profession is one of the fastest growing career paths in the world, with job outlook projected to grow 9% between now and 2024 for advertising, promotions and marketing managers. And because every institution that depends on revenue is striving to increase visibility of their public and online profiles, the demand for marketers will only grow, especially for those who possess fundamental skills in digital marketing, communications, market research, product development, and public relations, all of which learners can earn with a master’s degree in marketing.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a much faster than average job growth rate between now and 2024 for marketing jobs that require a master’s degree to work. These include up-and-coming jobs titles like Market Research Analyst. Professionals who work marketing jobs like this will be on the fast track to the top of the marketing industry, working to study and provide actionable insights on marketing analytics with field-specific knowledge of data science. There are quite a number of high-paying jobs that a master’s degree in marketing can prepare learners to earn, including those on the following list:

5 Marketing Jobs that a Master’s Degree Can Prepare You To Attain and their Median Salaries

Marketing Research Analyst

• Job Description: Research study, and propose ideas to affect market trends for products and services across an industry.
• Median Salary: $62,560

Art Director

• Job Description: Oversee and direct graphic designers while working to ensure consistency and artistic integrity of packaging for products and services.
• Median Salary: $89,820

Public Relations or Fundraising Manager

• Job Description: Oversee team of public relations personnel to shape and maintain a strong and favorable public image for their clients. Plan and coordinate donation campaigns.
• Median Salary: $107,320

Sales Manager

• Job Description: Organize and direct sales teams with the goal of researching and developing new strategies to maximize sales revenues.
• Median Salary: $117,960

Financial Manager

• Job Description: Shape and maintain the financial health of organizations to maximize growth, expansion, and favorability in the public eye.
• Median Salary: $121,750

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

3 Common master’s Degrees in Marketing

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing

A Master of Business Administration in Marketing will arm learners with the range of industry-specific knowledge they need to earn careers as marketing leaders for a number of industries, including but not limited to tech, finance, healthcare, higher education, and manufacturing. Some affordable and online MBA programs in marketing may also provide the opportunity to study and earn a graduate certificate in subject areas such as global business, e-commerce, Internet marketing, and market research.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Communications

A Master of Science in Communications will arm learners with the field-specific skills they need to ascend the job market for online media and communications, which includes but is not limited to the industry of new media marketing, content marketing, journalism, and public relations. Some affordable and online master’s programs in communications also provide the opportunity to earn graduate certificates in digital media and digital marketing.

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Public Relations

A Master of Arts in Public Relations often requires learners to sample from a wide range of classes in writing for public relations, new media and content marketing, and research methods for media relations. This degree program is ideal for prospective marketing professionals who want to get the full range of awareness for the principles of marketing in the digital age and build a strong foundation in the basics that form the foundation of marketing. Some affordable and online master’s programs in public relations might also provide the opportunity to earn graduate certificates in writing, new media, and media relations.

TIP: Earn Professional Certification and Specialized Graduate Certificates

With the future of marketing so bright and expansive—particularly via the online format that is becoming its natural habitat, considering marketing professionals work and communicate via connected computer systems—the skills that a master’s degree in marketing will prepare online learners to possess are in high demand. The OMCP or certifying body for online marketing professionals, lists the following areas of expertise among their most high-demand skillsets for new employees and partners to possess:

• Content Marketing
• Conversion Rate Optimization
• Email Marketing
• Mobile Marketing
• Paid Search
• Search Engine Optimization
• Social Media Marketing
• Web Analytics

These skills are also highly tested, which has led marketing certifications to increase immensely in popularity over the past several years, with hundreds of digital marketing certification helping boost the job prospects of degree-holders who need professional credentials to kickstart their careers.

And as more marketing programs emerge to meet growing demand, the certification and regulation processes become more rigorous, meaning it’s more important than ever to earn a master’s degree that will prepare you for certification properly.

Want a little more job security? See The 20 Best Online Digital Marketing Certificates 2016-2017 for more information on how completing an online graduate certificate marketing can help ensure you secure the job you want.