Overview of Associate of Arts (AA) Degree in Marketing
Majors Overview April 27, 2013Students learn about the basics of marketing and business through the associate degree program in marketing; they will earn an Associate in Arts degree once the program is completed. The associate degree program lays a solid foundation for more advanced study in the marketing discipline. Students who have graduated from the degree program will be able to obtain entry-level positions with various businesses.
Associate of Arts in Marketing
Students will learn about marketing principles such as advertising, pricing, consumer behavior, and product promotion through the A.A. in Marketing degree program. In addition, students may obtain a broad range of public relations and business skills. Associate degree program graduates can seek entry-level positions as market researchers, marketing events coordinators, sales specialists, product developers, and retail sales managers for various advertising companies and businesses. Some universities, technology institutes, and community colleges offer Associate in Arts degree in marketing. Typically, students who want to gain admission into an associate degree program are required to hold a general educational development (GED) certificate or a high school diploma.
Program Coursework
Practical education, seminars, and classroom lectures are usually part of the associate degree program in marketing curriculum. Students learn the basics about finances, sales, research methods, and marketing. Program course topics may include the following:
•International business
•E-commerce
•Marketing principles
•Marketing research
•Retailing
•Statistics
•Macroeconomics
•Microeconomics
•Financial accounting
•Advertising strategies
Salary Information and Employment Outlook
Employers usually pursue candidates with an undergraduate or graduate degree for marketing positions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS – www.bls.gov). During May 2010, as reported by the BLS, marketing managers earned an average annual salary of $122,720, while marketing specialists and marketing research analysts earned $66,850. In December 2011, according to PayScale.com, the average annual salary range for most entry-level marketing assistant jobs was between $25,036 and $42,843.
During the period of 2008 to 2018, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasted a twelve percent growth rate in marketing manager jobs due to the increased amount of new products and the need for innovative ways to promote them.
Continuing Education
An Associate in Arts in Marketing degree program prepares students for a bachelor degree in business administration, marketing, or related discipline. Students attain a deeper understanding of business and marketing practices, usually participating in internship programs to gain professional experience through these four-year degree programs. Students may further their education by pursuing a master or doctoral degree program upon completion of the bachelor degree program. Typically, students choose a specialized field of marketing, such as marketing communication, behavior marketing, strategic marketing, or marketing management, to research and study intently, at the graduate level.