What makes one sneaker brand stand out in a sea of sneaker brands? How does a fast-food chain rise from underdog to top dog? How does a razor invention in 1904 keep its edge? In today's competitive marketplace, the answer is often marketing. From launching new products to reinvigorating old brands, marketing is a critical aspect of the business. Marketing shows consumers a product or service, explains how it fulfills their needs and desires, and gets them to take action.

Learn the fundamentals of marketing while preparing yourself for a variety of entry-level positions with SNHUs Associate of Science in Marketing. You'll develop critical-thinking skills that tap the left and right sides of your brain, enhancing your creativity and strategic thinking. You'll also gain a strong foundation is an essential aspect of business that can open doors to many opportunities. Our marketing associate degree is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and offers a broad perspective on the business landscape at large. Want to start or advance your career in marketing but need a college education to get there? The associate degree in marketing is a perfect stepping-stone to our bachelor's in marketing degree online, since all credits can seamlessly move from one program to the next. Already have some college experience? Since SNHU accepts up to 45 credits, transfer students could satisfy 3/4 of the program's 60-credit requirements, saving time and money.

Learn how to:

- Use primary and secondary data to position a product in the market

- Develop strategies that incorporate a mix of marketing channels

- Develop marketing plans that align with a company's mission and goals

- Explain the legal and ethical principles involved in marketing activities

- Explain the role of accounting and economics in marketing

- Use effective written and oral communication skills

Once you've completed your program, you can take the next step without the hassle or expense of applying to another school, since SNHU offers online bachelor's, master's, and MBA in marketing. The associate degree in marketing is designed to provide a solid foundation in business principles and practices. (It's also built to perfectly transition into a bachelor's degree; with 60 credits coming in from your associate degree, you've finished exactly half of your next program before starting should you choose to continue with your education.)

In addition to marketing, core courses cover topics like business law and international business. As you move along through the program, you'll learn how companies integrate marketing with manufacturing, sales, and other departments. Compared to many competitive programs, SNHUs online marketing associate degree program includes experiential learning. Its career-focused by design, blending theory with practical application. You'll learn meaningful skills as you complete real-world projects, some with a team-based approach and others independently.

Our marketing programs are different in that they were designed with a very strategic approach, said Dr. Jessica Rogers, senior associate dean of marketing. We have connected and aligned our programs to the industry. Marketing courses cover topics like communications, promotion, social media, and branding. The curriculum also includes 2 free electives, giving you the option to go a little deeper in your areas of interest. That's a plus if you're interested, for example, in deepening your understanding of data analysis, psychology, or another marketing-related area.

Core courses in the marketing associate degree may include:

- Introduction to Marketing. Learn about the tools businesses use to create, communicate and deliver value to customers. Topics include marketing research, target market selection, product selection, promotion, distribution, and pricing.

- Principles of Integrated Marketing Communications. Gain an understanding of advertising, public relations, corporate communications, and sales promotions. Learn the role that media plays in integrated marketing communications strategies.

- Social Media & Marketing Communications. Study the basics of integrated marketing communication with a focus on social media. Learn about advertising, public relations, branding, and corporate communication strategies. Develop the planning, research, and creative skills needed to reach promotional objectives.

- Human Relations in Administration. Learn the human relations skills managers need to be effective. Topics include leadership, motivation, communications, group dynamics, organizational development, management by objectives, and stress and time management.

- Business Law. Learn how the background, foundation, and ethical aspects of the U.S. legal system apply to business organizations. Study the impact of torts, product liability, criminal law, contracts, sales, business organizations, and cyber law on business.

Philip Hudnall '20 said that the integrated marketing communications course stood out most to him. "I was enthralled with the material, and I had taken so many supporting classes prior that it was a really good class to tie everything together," he said. "I finished that class in the top three, and it was the only time an instructor has ever reached out to congratulate me. What a great feeling!"

"Instructors throughout your courses have relevant marketing experience, and they're able to pass that knowledge on to you. I found that the instructors brought their personal experiences and stories to the class, which I found very helpful and relatable," said Laura Swedberg '19.

"I enjoyed how interactive the instructors were with their classes." Bridget Gallagher '21 agreed that the staff at SNHU were there for her when she needed them. "Each instructor I worked with felt like they wanted to be there and really wanted to share their knowledge with students," she said. When she was sick and had a death in the family in the same week, "naturally school fell to the back burner," she said. "I reached out to my advisor and professors, and they were understanding, accommodating, and kind during that challenging time."

In addition to earning your associate degree in marketing, you'll find another way to build your resume at SNHU certifications. Professional certifications from industry leaders like HubSpot are the gold standard in digital marketing and in high demand by employers. One of the required courses within the AS Marketing program focuses on strategic social media marketing tactics that help students prepare for the HubSpot Social Media Certification exam.

The course will teach you how to develop a social media strategy that helps businesses engage consumers and grow their bottom line. Kim Coffey, an SNHU internship administrator, believes strongly in the value of the course. Credentials, she said, give students in an associate degree in marketing program more hands-on experience and an edge over other job candidates. Whatever your goals, SNHUs online marketing associate degree can set you on a career path to achieve them.

Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That's why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials. Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)