People who are interested in obtaining a certificate, degree, or simply bolster their knowledge in the fields of advertising and marketing now have the option to obtain their education via the internet. Distance education for advertising and marketing degrees include established, researched-based institutions that are expanding their curriculum, private establishments that serve only online students, and corporate universities. Partnerships between establishments are also becoming commonplace.
How Online Programs Work in Advertising & Marketing
Typical distance advertising and marketing education programs provide courses delivered via a central internet portal, such as Centra or Blackboard. Classes meet online one to three times per week. For associate and bachelor degree programs, general education coursework will be required for degree completion. Centra and Blackboard record class sessions, enabling students to view the course anytime after it has concluded. In order to become a successful online student in any academic field, several skill sets are necessary. The ability to manage time and have self-discipline are vital. Professor David R. Fordham of James Madison University notes that a person pursuing an online degree must be a “self-starter, one who works well without direct supervision” with an “extremely high level of motivation.”
Online Schools and Programs Offered for Advertising & Marketing Students
Below is a list of some of the institutions that currently offer advertising and marketing programs online:
- The Art Institute Online
- American Intercontinental University
- Ashford University
- Bellevue University
- Capella University
- Colorado Technical University Online
- Grand Canyon University
- Kaplan University Online
- Park University
- Rasmussen College
- Westwood College
Paying for an Online Education
Embarking on an education in advertising and marketing through an online program will require considerable financial commitment. An undergraduate advertising and marketing program can range from $250-475 per credit hour. Graduate per-credit costs can be in the range of $500-700.
Three traditional avenues that students take to assist in funding their education are grants and scholarships, student loans, and employers assistance – all of which are available for online students in advertising and marketing.
Many advertising and marketing scholarships are offered through the universities in which the student is enrolled. National or more broad-range scholarships and grants may be on Fastweb.com and Grants.gov. The American Marketing Association Foundation (AMAF) provides the Robert J. Lavidge Nonprofit Marketing Research Scholarship, and the Lagrant Foundation offers scholarships to minority students enrolled in advertising, marketing, and public relations programs.
Employment in the Advertising & Marketing Industries
For degreed programs, accreditation is one of the most important factors to advertising and marketing employers. Online programs are still subject to a certain amount of scrutiny. “To some degree, I believe I would have been less marketable to an employer if I had a purely online degree,” Luis Aguayo (an Account Executive for a large IT staffing firm who obtained his Bachelors in Marketing) states. Aguayo adds, “It took a long time for people to get accustomed to paying bills online and I think that the same will apply to online degrees.”
Jon Woodruff, Media Director with The Advertising Company based in Ft Wayne, Indiana, adds that seeing an online degree program in a resume of a potential employee “might cause me to do a little research on the school.” However, Jon goes on to state that, “if they can figure it out, I don't particularly care if they even have a degree.” Online learning requires students to be savvy about communicating and producing within a technological infrastructure. Because technology is integral facet to any advertising or marketing business in the 21st century, having an employee who is comfortable in that environment is often viewed as a major plus by employers.
Summary
Online programs in the fields of advertising and marketing show much promise. More programs are now available to more students. It is no longer necessary to limit the selection of schools or programs based solely on proximity. Financing an education is more achievable and more employers are open to their employees obtaining an education from less traditional sources. Advertising and marketing majors and professionals are going to be increasingly required to possess technological knowledge and talent. Online education will enable the students in these programs to obtain the technological competitive edge they will need in the workplace.
