How To Become a Marketer

If you're researching how to become a marketer, exploring education options related to marketing may be a helpful place to start.

Becoming a marketer typically involves developing marketing knowledge, building communication and analytical skills, gaining practical experience and pursuing relevant education.¹ The American Marketing Association^® (AMA) Chicago Chapter expands on this by noting that a marketer may be anyone who contributes their skills, knowledge, and efforts to those activities, a definition that reflects just how broad the field may be. Formal education may help build the foundational knowledge and skills relevant to entering it.²

Rasmussen University offers online marketing degree programs at both the associate and bachelor's degree levels, each designed to help students develop foundational marketing skills. Both programs may be completed in as few as 18 months. Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.³

Choosing an Education Pathway in Marketing

Rasmussen University's marketing programs offer two credential levels, each with a distinct focus and intended audience. Students may choose the level that best fits their current education background and career goals, and students who complete an associate degree may be able to apply those credits toward a bachelor's degree, potentially saving time and money as they continue their education.³

Associate Degree in Marketing

The associate degree in marketing may be a fit for students looking to develop a broad base of marketing knowledge and gain an understanding of how marketing operates across today's digital business environment. The program is designed to help students build practical marketing knowledge and skills relevant to entry-level marketing roles, and credits earned may be eligible to apply toward Rasmussen University's bachelor's degree, subject to review and institutional policies.⁴

Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Marketing⁴

Length: May be completed in as few as 18 months for full-time students. Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.⁴

Courses: 24 total courses (91 credit hours)⁴

Format: Fully online with campus support and resources available⁴

Admission: High school diploma or equivalent required; no standardized test scores required⁴

Career Preparation: Designed to help prepare students for roles such as marketing coordinator, marketing specialist, and e-commerce specialist⁴

Sample courses in the associate degree program may include:⁴

• Online Multimedia Marketing
• Public Relations and Advertising Strategies
• Principles of Marketing

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing

The bachelor's degree in marketing is a degree-completion program designed for students interested in building additional marketing knowledge and skills. The program offers two optional specializations, Digital Marketing and Sales Management, giving students the option to direct their studies toward a particular area of marketing focus.⁵

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Marketing⁵

Length: May be completed in as few as 18 months for full-time students. Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.⁵

Courses: 23 total courses (90 credit hours)⁵

Format: Fully online with Empowered Learning^® and campus support and resources available⁵

Specializations: Digital Marketing or Sales Management⁵

Admission: Students must hold a conferred associate degree from an accredited institution, or have successfully completed 60 quarter or 40 semester credits with a grade of C- or higher⁵

Certification Preparation: Completion of the program may make students eligible to pursue the Professional Certified Marketer^® (PCM^®) certification through the American Marketing Association^®, and students may also be eligible to sit for the Certified Associate in Project Management^® (CAPM^®) and Project Management Professional^® (PMP^®) exams⁵

Career Preparation: Designed to help prepare students for roles such as marketing manager, marketing research analyst, sales manager, digital content manager, product manager, and territory manager, among others³

Sample courses in the bachelor's degree program may include:⁵

• Advanced Marketing Strategies
• Visual Marketing and Social Media (Digital Marketing Specialization)
• Sales Promotion, Analytics and Forecasting (Sales Management Specialization)

Certifications To Consider

Industry certifications may be optional credentials that marketing professionals choose to pursue to demonstrate expertise in specific areas. Completing Rasmussen's bachelor's degree program may make students eligible to pursue the Professional Certified Marketer^® (PCM^®) certification through the American Marketing Association^®, a credential that may be recognized by employers in the marketing field. Students may also be eligible to sit for the Certified Associate in Project Management^® (CAPM^®) and Project Management Professional^® (PMP^®) certification exams through the Project Management Institute^®.⁵

Completion of the program does not guarantee certification eligibility to exam success. Additional specified work experience requirements may be required. It is important to check the requirements needed to be eligible for certifications by contacting the organizations which administer the certifications.

Typical Career Paths in Marketing

A marketing education may help prepare students for a variety of roles across industries. According to AMA Chicago, marketers may hold a wide range of job titles, with current AMA Chicago members listing 329 different job titles for themselves.²

Some typical career paths associated with Rasmussen's marketing programs may include:³

• Marketing coordinator
• Marketing specialist
• E-commerce specialist
• Marketing manager
• Marketing research analyst
• Sales manager
• Digital content manager
• Product manager
• Territory manager

Explore Rasmussen's Online Marketing Programs

With multiple start dates, fully online courses, and a curriculum focused on contemporary marketing concepts and tools, Rasmussen's marketing programs may be a fit for working adults who are ready to take the next step in their marketing education. Whether you're starting with an associate degree or completing a bachelor's, both programs are designed to help build knowledge and skills relevant to careers in marketing.³

Request more information or apply to learn how a Rasmussen University marketing degree may help you pursue your educational and professional development goals.³

Earning a degree does not guarantee employment or specific job outcomes. Employment conditions in your area may vary.

¹American Marketing Association^®, What Is Marketing?, at https://www.ama.org/the-definition-of-marketing-what-is-marketing/ (accessed May 27, 2026).
²American Marketing Association^® Chicago Chapter, What Is a Marketer?, at https://amachicago.org/definition-marketer/ (accessed May 27, 2026).
³Rasmussen University, Marketing Degree Program, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/business/marketing/ (accessed May 27, 2026).
⁴Rasmussen University, Associate's Degree in Marketing, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/business/marketing/associates/ (accessed May 27, 2026).
⁵Rasmussen University, Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/business/marketing/bachelors/ (accessed May 27, 2026).

American Marketing Association^® is a registered trademark of American Marketing Association, at 130 E Randolph St, 22nd Floor, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601.
Professional Certified Marketer^® is a registered trademark of American Marketing Association, at 130 E Randolph St, 22nd Floor, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601.
PCM^® is a registered trademark of American Marketing Association, at 130 E Randolph St, 22nd Floor, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601.
PMP^® is a registered trademark of Project Management Institute, Inc., 14 Campus Boulevard, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073.
Project Management Professional^® is a registered trademark of Project Management Institute, Inc., 14 Campus Boulevard, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073.
CAPM^® is a registered trademark of Project Management Institute, Inc., 18 Campus Boulevard, Suite 150, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073-3230.
Certified Associate in Project Management^® is a registered trademark of Project Management Institute, Inc., 18 Campus Boulevard, Suite 150, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073-3230.
Project Management Institute^® is a registered trademark of Project Management Institute, Inc. 18 Campus Boulevard, Suite 150, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, 19073-3230.