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The ever-evolving field of advertising is an exciting and lucrative career choice for those who are passionate about storytelling and engaging with an audience. Students who want to succeed in this highly competitive industry may want to consider earning an online Bachelor’s in Advertising.
This degree program provides prospective students the expertise to explore the different aspects of advertising, from copywriting and branding to art direction and digital production.
This career offers a wealth of opportunities for professional growth in a variety of work settings, including advertising agencies, media companies, public relations firms, and even private organizations with their in-house marketing teams.
On top of advertising courses, students may also be required to complete an internship where they can gain practical and hands-on experience. This will also give them the chance to build their connections and form professional relationships in the advertising community, which will prove valuable when they finally look for a job after graduation.
Most Advertising graduates gain entry-level positions in advertising and related industries. Some of the job titles that are available to them are media planners, copywriters, marketing coordinators, account executives, and more.
With experience and educational advancement, they can qualify for advertising head, market research analyst, and marketing manager roles.
Quick summary of this article:
The Lowdown
Designed for working professionals, a bachelor’s in Advertising and Marketing degree online offers the flexibility students need to juggle their professional responsibilities and the demands of higher education.
The best online Marketing degrees with Advertising emphasis prepare students for either graduate studies or work.
Methodology
Many public and private universities in the US offer Marketing and/or Advertising and Communications degrees online, it being one of the more popular degree programs related to the field of Business.
We’ve put together a random collection of the best online Bachelor’s in Advertising programs that are highly flexible and affordable degree programs for students who recently completed high school and adult learners.
The online schools and programs on this list were selected according to the following criteria:
- Delivers their coursework in either a 100% online or a hybrid format, giving students the flexibility to adapt their schedules to their other prior commitments,
- Features coursework that covers the fundamental principles in marketing and advertising and includes courses on crucial processes and skillsets, such as quantitative and qualitative research, branding strategies, developing marketing plans, and more,
- Designed to open the door for graduates to a wide range of career paths related to Marketing in a variety of industries and fields,
- May feature credit transfer programs or recognizes other means of demonstrating competence in a particular content area of the course,
- Offers affordable tuition rates and/or payment plans for their courses, such as pay-by-the-course models or similar tuition rates for in and out-of-state students,
- Offers various opportunities for financial aid, scholarships, grants, and other means for students to further reduce and manage the cost of their tuition,
- Holds relevant accreditation credentials, which assures students of the quality of the education they are getting and paying for.
Read our Methodology here for details.
10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Advertising Programs
The University of Texas El Paso
Bachelor of Arts in Media Advertising
The University of Texas El Paso offers a Bachelor of Arts in Media Advertising degree program that is 100% available online. This flexible program is for students who are planning to pursue an entry-level media and advertising career. It equips students with a solid foundation to help them take on the world of advertising, marketing, and media.
- This online program is designed to support cross-functional team collaboration.
- The curriculum focuses on the important elements of advertising and marketing, including advertising theory, media planning, and consumer behavior.
- This degree program prepares students for a successful career in the marketing field by teaching them how to conduct strategy, planning, media, and research, along with the basics of design and copywriting,
- At the end of the program, marketing graduates are expected to develop a fully integrated advertising campaign for a designated client, which will be a good addition to their portfolio.
- It is also part of their learning to gain a good understanding of how consumers respond to various media.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The curriculum of this advertising program is designed to provide students with a baseline understanding of everything advertising. The program features case studies and real-life simulation exercises to enhance students’ learning experience.
Did You Know?
The bachelor’s degree in advertising degree program was awarded the University of Texas El Paso Library Information Literacy Course Enhancement Grant. This award was designed to foster intellectual curiosity and resourcefulness.
Relationships between advertising agencies all over the country and faculty members are cultivated to help give students ample opportunities to explore internships.
Academy of Art University
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising
The Academy of Art University is known as one of the largest private and accredited art and design schools in the country. Students interested in carving a career in the field of advertising may want to consider earning the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising degree program. This degree boasts award-winning directors, copywriters, and creative strategists in the faculty, which guarantees competent and quality advertising education.
- Offered under the School of Advertising, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising online degree helps students develop their artistic and technical skills.
- They can expect to learn how to effectively use visual media to convey ideas and concepts needed in the creative process.
- They will be taught how to create narratives that will help them understand the elements of storytelling, including idea, structure, character, and imagery.
- Students must also master how to apply strategic elements focused on the target customer, product/service, and market.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The degree program culminates in the production of a dynamic portfolio. This is often in the form of a website and personal branding system that will reflect the knowledge and skills students have gained throughout the program.
Did You Know?
The Academy of Art University has been popular for offering accredited online Art and Design programs for almost two decades. Their online advertising degree programs are designed to provide the same quality education as traditional students but with greater flexibility.
Prospective students may partner with admissions and financial aid representatives to explore possible funding options. Some of the financial aid options they can take advantage of include federal and state aid, alternative loans, and scholarships, among others.
Southern New Hampshire University
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
The Bachelor of Science in Marketing offered by Southern New Hampshire University is an ideal choice for students seeking an exciting career in the advertising field and helping build brands through creativity and problem-solving.
This degree will equip them with knowledge and skills in brand awareness, consumer behavior, digital marketing, and market research, among others. Students will be able to structure their degrees according to their interests by choosing among majors and free electives.
This will ensure they can earn a well-rounded online marketing bachelor’s degree.
- This program primarily teaches students to develop marketing plans according to the company’s missions, objectives, and goals.
- The marketing degree features core courses in digital marketing, marketing research, consumer behavior, brand management, and pro selling.
- Students can also benefit from the 10-course business core that provides foundational business disciplines, including courses that cover business law, management, managerial accounting, and international business.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Students in this program have the opportunity to earn industry certifications, including the HubSpot Social Media Certification. This will enhance their hiring potential while providing them with the tools they need to shape conversations around building brand loyalty.
Did You Know?
This marketing program allows students to choose between an experiential learning course or an internship. Both options offer the opportunity to engage with real businesses and leverage their skills by building strategies and creating and implementing campaigns.
Maryville University
Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing
Maryville University is another higher learning institution in the country that offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.
This degree takes full advantage of the increasingly growing digital technology role in the consumer journey, equipping students with wide-ranging knowledge of both traditional marketing principles and business practices along with digital marketing competencies such as social media marketing, data analytics, multimedia, content management, and search engine optimization.
- The program focuses on the content side of marketing while also providing students with a solid foundation in strategic, financial, and operational knowledge of business.
- The coursework can be completed 100% online, so students are not required to do campus visits.
- Students will need to complete a total of 128 credit hours, including business core courses and marketing major courses.
- This online Marketing program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The program requires students to complete a senior experience course where they will create a marketing plan, conduct research and analysis, and develop strategies for a particular target market.
They are also given the opportunity to take part in a hands-on internship where they can interact with mentors and build their professional network.
Did You Know?
Maryville University offers Early Access, an option that gives students a head start on earning their graduate degree by taking graduate-level courses to count towards both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Plus, they can enjoy undergraduate tuition rates for their graduate-level Early Access courses.
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Students who want to take a step closer to their career in a dynamic field will want to consider earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree from Arizona State University. This undergraduate program will prepare them for exciting roles in consumer behavior, advertising, analysis, and marketing strategy.
- This program helps students build a range of soft skills and industry-specific skills, including effective communication, personal sales, sales management, and critical thinking.
- Students are expected to develop competencies in areas such as market analysis, pricing, marketing strategy, advertising and promotion management, and product and service development.
- They will learn to administer, allocate, and organize resources to achieve marketing objectives while driving corporate performance through customer engagement.
- Some of the courses in the program curriculum are Competitive Marketing Strategy, Applied Marketing Management and Leadership, Services Marketing Strategy, and Business-to-Business Marketing Strategy, among others.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Students can customize their degrees according to their interests and career goals. Their emphasis options include consumer goods and marketing in the global economy. They will eventually have the opportunity to work with the program’s business partners to gain practical experience.
Did You Know?
As a leading business school in the country, ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business is committed to delivering quality education. The online marketing program it offers has an accreditation from AACSB.
Appalachian State University
Bachelor of Science in Advertising
Appalachian State University offers the Bachelor of Science in Advertising degree program, which can be completed online. Students will be able to explore advertising topics such as sales management, media ethics, brand communications, media planning, and advertising copy and design.
- This program equips students to connect with consumers and create an engaging brand experience.
- Students will gain skills necessary for effective marketing, including project management, marketing strategy, and social media campaign management.
- The emphasis of the program is on social media, allowing students to explore popular and relevant platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The program requires students to choose a minor for this degree program. Their options include Art, English, General Business, International Business, Marketing, and Sociology, among others.
Did You Know?
Appalachian State University has a generous Transfer Policy for students with prior completed college coursework, including military service members and second-degree seeking applicants.
It is just important to note for upcoming students that the application for transfer credits will be reviewed based on a number of criteria, including competitive high school GPA and ACT or SAT scores.
The University of Alabama
Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Information Sciences in Advertising
Students interested in learning the ropes of persuasive advertising will find the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Information Sciences in Advertising offered by the University of Alabama an ideal choice for a college degree. The advertising major provides students with the necessary skills to create persuasive messaging across various platforms.
- The program curriculum, taught by an experienced faculty, gives students a better understanding of the best practices and design of advertising.
- Students will learn how to conduct audience analyses and tailor messaging across channels.
- Students will need to complete a total of 120 credit hours in order to earn the program.
- Some of the courses for the advertising major include Mechanics of Media Writing, Introduction to Advertising, Introduction to Channels and Messaging, and Advertising Strategy, among others.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The program requires the completion of capstone courses. Students can choose among two options for the capstone courses: Ethics and Professionalism and Investigation and Insights. They will also need to fulfill the Advertising Campaigns course as part of the capstone requirement.
Some have an emphasis on digital marketing, tackling subjects such as search engine marketing, content management, social media engagement, data analytics, and even user experience design. Others are more focused on branding development and copywriting.
Did You Know?
Students who have earned more than 24 college-level credit hours must meet the transfer student admission requirement: a 2.0 overall college GPA.
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising
Grand Canyon University offers a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising degree that develops students’ creativity and business skills and is ideal for preparing students for various roles in the fields of marketing, sales, market research, and more.
- The degree contains a total of 120 credit hours, with the online delivery format having 8-week long courses, as opposed to the 15-week course length of the on-campus format.
- GCU accepts up to 90 credit hours of transfers, with only 84 credits allowed for lower-division courses.
- The program covers a range of crucial skills and topics, which include developing marketing plans and strategies, advertising using current technologies, evaluating customer behavior, and more.
What Makes This Program Unique:
As a private Christian university, Grand Canyon University integrates a Christian worldview into its curriculum designs, which serve to manifest its mission of making a tangible positive impact on its community and its core mission of helping students find their purpose and vocational calling.
Did You Know?
Grand Canyon University also offers a Bachelor of Science in Applied Marketing and Advertising, which can also be completed on-campus and online. This program is designed as a more transfer-friendly version of the BS in Marketing and Advertising degree program.
PennState World Campus
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Penn State World Campus has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree program designed to train students to apply techniques in consumer behavior science to the field of market research and strategy and utilizes the latest alternative education delivery techniques in an accredited degree program.
The program contains 120 credit hours and features affordable per-credit-hour tuition rates.
Students learn a range of relevant skills, which include developing an integrative and interdisciplinary perspective of business situations, problems, and solutions.
The program’s curriculum includes courses in retailing, marketing management, research, advertising and sales promotion, and more.
What Makes This Program Unique:
PennState’s Bachelor of Science in Marketing holds a unique status in that it is one of only a handful of online marketing degree programs accredited by the AACSB. Students also have the chance to become a member of Beta Sigma Gamma, one of the most prestigious international premier honor societies for business students.
Did You Know?
Students who are planning to take up a graduate degree in the future might be interested in PennState’s Master’s in Marketing Analytics and Insights degree program, designed to train students to harness data to maximize the reach of marketing communications.
This degree might prove to complement their learnings in the BS in Marketing degree program.
Western Governor’s University
Bachelor of Science – Business Administration in Marketing
The Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Marketing degree offered by Western Governors University is a comprehensive and highly flexible program designed to allow students to harness prior educational experience as well as their existing knowledge to advance and progress through the program at their own pace.
- The degree program contains 41 courses taken from a wide range of industry-relevant courses and includes a capstone experience that lets students design, implement, and analyze a marketing campaign.
- WGU uses a competency-based learning model, which means students can move on as long as they can sufficiently demonstrate mastery in a specific area. This lets students use their existing knowledge as a means to advance.
- Courses in the program are generally completed on a one-at-a-time/sequential basis instead of simultaneously.
What Makes This Program Unique:
This degree program uses self-paced learning. Students complete their coursework independently, together with the support of individual program mentors. All course materials are also accessible anytime, and exams do not follow strict schedules.
Advancement in the degree depends largely on students’ understanding of the material on their own time, and completion time for this degree can be as little as three years.
Did You Know?
For students interested in pursuing further education, WGU also offers a fully online Master of Science in Marketing, which teaches advanced skills in Digital Marketing or Marketing Analysis and lets students earn a number of industry-recognized certifications.
Louisiana State University
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
The Louisiana State University Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree program is highly regarded and affordable. It teaches students the full range of in-demand skills and foundational knowledge crucial to successful marketing careers across various industries.
- This online bachelor’s degree contains a total of 120 credit hours, and transfer credits can apply to up to 75% of the total degree requirements.
- This comprehensive program gives students solid fundamentals in marketing principles and teaches skills in the quantitative aspects of the business world, including finance, business law, and economics.
- The program has very affordable tuition rates, and students pay by the course, regardless of whether they are in-state or out-of-state.
What Makes This Program Unique:
LSU’s highly-ranked BS in Marketing degree program is accredited by the AACSB, which places it in the topmost tier of business schools worldwide (less than 5% of all business schools worldwide are able to meet the AACSB’s demanding standards).
Did You Know?
Louisiana State University also offers an Online MBA with a Marketing Concentration, which expands students’ learnings in the bachelor’s degree with advanced skills in operations, finance, organizational strategy, and product, services, and international marketing.
Johnson & Wales University
Bachelor of Science in Advertising and Marketing Communications
Johnson & Wales University offers a 100% online Bachelor of Science in Advertising and Marketing Communications degree program, which teaches students a wide range of crucial creative and strategic skills needed in building effective campaigns, which includes learning consumer behavior through qualitative or quantitative research methods, media planning, and various communication strategies across platforms.
- This program contains a total of 120 credit hours and can be completed within four years. Courses are typically eight weeks long each.
- The program has a choice of two 15-credit specializations: Digital Marketing & Analytics or Creative Advertising.
- To be considered for admission, this program requires prospective students to have at least two years of full-time experience beyond the high school graduation date.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Aside from being taught by highly experienced faculty who are themselves industry experts, this program also emphasizes experience-based education, which lets students get crucial real-world exposure while they complete their coursework.
Did You Know?
Students may also be interested in JWU’s Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing & Social Media, which is also offered 100% online and specializes in brand messaging skills across digital networks and platforms.
Florida International University
Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Florida International University offers a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication degree program, ideal for those who are interested in pursuing public relations, advertising, or applied communications careers in various industries in government, private, and non-profit sectors.
- This program contains a total of 120 credit hours, with courses drawn from a wide range of interconnected and related fields.
- This degree program has a range of possible concentration areas, which include Business Communication, Social Media and E-Marketing, Digital Photography, Social Psychology, and more. These concentration areas serve to supplement and enrich students’ career aspirations.
- This program prepares students for a number of communications-driven careers, including Public Relations, Advertising, Human Resources, Politics, and more.
What Makes This Program Unique:
This degree has an interdisciplinary aspect to its curriculum design, drawing upon a range of fields related to the development and delivery of effective content. Aside from its range of possible specialization areas, this degree program is also highly customizable.
Did You Know?
FIU also offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing, which also has a wide range of applicability in various fields, including retailing, advertising, public relations, communications, marketing research, and more.
Liberty University
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration – Digital Marketing
Liberty University’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Digital Marketing and Advertising degree prepares students with skillsets crucial to letting businesses grow and achieve success.
- This program contains a total of 120 credit hours, with an average completion time of 3.5 years.
- The program is designed to develop student’s technical, creative, and business skills, with coursework from a range of key content areas, including Market Research, Digital Marketing, Customer Behavior, and more.
- Liberty University is accredited by the SACSCOC-Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Liberty University is also one of only a handful of business schools worldwide to earn accreditation from the ACBSP.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Liberty University’s BSBA degree is offered without any set log-in times, letting students fit their degree program best according to their schedules and needs. Liberty also provides all required electronic textbooks at no cost to students.
Did You Know?
Students who want to take further education after earning their bachelor’s degree may be interested in Liberty University’s online Master’s in Marketing Program, which is a good way of expanding their bachelor’s-level theoretical foundations and skillsets.
Franklin University
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Franklin University offers a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree program, a transfer-friendly program that teaches students the skills and confidence needed to develop and execute effective marketing strategies.
- This program contains a total of 124 credit hours, with courses having a typical length of 12 weeks. Students can transfer up to 76% of the degree program’s requirements.
- The program contains courses from the core content areas of marketing strategy, market research, strategy and analysis, promotion, and digital advertising.
- This program is International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)-accredited and also features affordable tuition rates.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Franklin University’s BS in Marketing program is designed to be application-oriented and project-based, which gives students practical experience and insights into how marketing interfaces with other business disciplines. Students earn their coursework in a simulated business environment.
Did You Know?
Franklin University also offers an online Master of Science in Marketing & Communication degree, which expands on students’ bachelor’s level foundation with advanced skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I learn in an online Bachelor’s in Marketing or Advertising degree program?
Most advertising and marketing programs focus on equipping students with knowledge and skills integral to creating external marketing strategies.
Students of this degree program are taught to develop marketing plans that align with the company’s objectives and goals. They are expected to formulate marketing concepts and explore marketing trends.
How long can students complete an online Marketing degree or Advertising concentration?
The length of each advertising program varies from school to school. There are online marketing degree programs that are available for both full-time and part-time students, which can affect the time it takes to complete the coursework.
There are accelerated programs that allow students to earn credits for the master’s degree in combination with their undergraduate degree. Most marketing online degree programs also allow students to accomplish their coursework requirements at their own pace, which means students have the freedom to customize their schedules according to their needs and goals.
In general, however, most distance education programs can be completed in four years.
Do online degrees differ significantly from their on-campus counterparts/versions?
Especially in the case of a university/institution that offers a particular degree in both online and on-campus formats, the only major difference is in the mode of delivery (and the resulting learning environment, since a difference in online and face-to-face interactions between peers and faculty is a given).
A particular degree is typically designed around a single set of predetermined learning outcomes, which determines the curriculum design. These different formats are also taught by the same set of faculty and are held to the same academic standards, especially as universities continuously strive to maintain their accreditation credentials.
Students can be assured, therefore, of the same level of academic quality, whether they enroll in a degree online or on-campus.
What are some of the Career Paths open to graduates with bachelor’s degrees in Marketing/Advertising?
Students with degrees in Marketing/Advertising can enter a range of careers in the government, non-profit, and private sectors.
Some of these career paths may include:
- Advertising Managers,
- Social Media Managers,
- Marketing Managers,
- Content Strategists,
- Market Research Analysts,
- Creative Directors,
- Advertising Sales Agents,
- Marketing Coordinators, and more.
The skillsets in these online bachelor’s degree programs are also applicable to other industries, especially in career paths that are driven by communication and targeted/strategic approaches.
Summary Points
- Bachelor’s degrees in Advertising draw on various fields, including communications, human behavior, and creative/design disciplines.
- Bachelor’s degrees in Advertising teach students to be effective communicators and strategists, leading organizations and businesses in employing data-driven communication and decision-making strategies to achieve success and growth.
- Bachelor’s degrees in marketing/advertising that are offered online give students flexibility in completing their coursework, while continuing other productive pursuits, such as career and family.
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