Associate Degree in Marketing Online

Absolutely. If you’re interested in marketing, an associate degree in marketing is a great place to start. You’ll gain a fundamental understanding of the marketing discipline and a critical skill set for a variety of entry-level positions. You’ll also set yourself on the right path toward career success in this diverse and exciting field.

Marketing is an integral aspect of business that can open doors to many opportunities. Southern New Hampshire University's (SNHU) online marketing associate degree provides a strong business-oriented foundation and a broad perspective on the marketing landscape at large. The program is fully online and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Marketing is not only a practical career choice. It also allows you to connect your personal interests or passions with your work. “Consider the student who loves music,” said Dr. Jessica Rogers, senior associate dean of marketing at SNHU. “Perhaps they work in marketing for the music industry or education. The sky's the limit. Every industry needs marketing in 1 way or another!”

Virginia Hendricksen ’18 chose marketing because it allowed her to “stay true to my interest in human nature.” She also liked that it added “a business perspective that would equip me for any business job.”

A career in marketing also means you’re always learning. “Marketing is for the curious,” said Marcio Moerbeck, adjunct faculty at SNHU. “You need to have a thirst for learning. If you want to join a career where your knowledge today stays static into the future, that’s not marketing. We are constantly learning.”

Earning an associate degree in marketing is also a great way to ease into continuing your journey with higher education.

"The instructors (at SNHU) have been so attentive that I have since continued to pursue my bachelor’s degree," said Philip Hudnall '20.

From market research to social media marketing, digital marketing to search engine optimization, the field of marketing offers plenty of opportunities for entry-level positions. An associate in marketing prepares you to take advantage of them.

“A lot of degrees pigeonhole you, but marketing can lead you anywhere,” said Steve Geibel, adjunct instructor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). “Some specific careers in the modern age of marketing include social media manager and email marketing manager – a lot of companies have someone just dedicated to that.”

Driven by the increasing use of data, market research and analytics is 1 area with high growth potential for entry-level positions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% growth in employment for advertising, promotions and marketing managers through 2032.¹ Graduates with an associate degree in marketing who choose this career path typically start out as assistants or coordinators.

With your AS in Marketing, you may be qualified for roles like an assistant or associate in social media, marketing, communication, PR, digital marketing, research, event planning or sales. Positions in sales give you the opportunity to better understand a brand and how to position it – a necessary skill in the industry.

An associate degree has the potential to boost your earning power. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), associate degree holders in 2022 brought home higher weekly median earnings than those with just partial college credit.¹ Additionally, those with only a high school diploma had median weekly earnings of $853, while those with an associate degree had median weekly earnings of $1,005 – an 18% jump in wages.¹

Also, an associate degree can be the perfect start to your educational journey. For Laura Swedberg '19, she was able to immediately add a credential to her resume as she transitioned into a bachelor's program at SNHU.

"I have an incredible education that is recognized and valued by employers and other professionals," she said.

For Philip Hudnall '20, he was able to use what he learned in class immediately at his job.

"As someone who has worked in the retail field for many years, I wanted to bring added value to the company in which I serve, but also gain knowledge that I would be able to apply in various other industries in the future," he said. "My direct supervisors have been impressed by the amount of personal and professional growth that I have experienced during my time at SNHU. My professional experience – mixed with my newly found educational experiences  – have made me a much stronger candidate for projects and promotions in the future, and, in many cases, way more qualified versus others in my field."

Associate degrees are typically considered 2-year degrees. Some students move faster or slower depending on how busy their lives are or how much time they can devote to schoolwork.

Generally, associate degrees require 60 credits of coursework, which translates to 20 college courses. That's half the academic requirements of a bachelor's degree.

Already have some college experience? SNHU accepts up to 45 transfer credits toward your associate degree. That means you could start the associate degree in marketing with 3/4 of the credit requirements satisfied. If you meet those requirements, you could end up saving considerable time and money.

Philip Hudnall '20 was able to transfer some credits from when he took classes in the '90s, giving him a head start in finishing his degree.

"The time flew by," he said. "Before I knew it, I was starting and finishing classes with confidence and ease."

Thinking about going on to earn your bachelor’s in marketing? Once you’ve completed your AS in marketing, you can take the next step without the hassle or expense of applying to another school. Southern New Hampshire University's (SNHU) associate program aligns seamlessly with our BS in Marketing, so you can transfer your credits. That means you’ll already be halfway to completing your bachelor’s degree at SNHU when you start.

And if you want to take your education even further, SNHU offers an online master's in marketing, as well as an online MBA in marketing.

Keep in mind that online bachelor's degree programs were built to help make earning your degree possible while maintaining a healthy work/life balance. With no mandatory login times and 24/7 access to the online classroom, you can complete your weekly assignments when it works for your schedule.

"I chose SNHU for my program because I could prioritize my education while focusing on my work, family and personal hobbies," said Laura Swedberg '19. "I knew I would have the opportunity to create my own schedule and complete my schoolwork on my own time, while still feeling that I was being held accountable."

Bridget Gallagher '21 knew the format would help her complete the degree she had started 10 years prior.

"This program had the perfect number of classes over a shorter window of time than any other school I looked at," she said. "The 8-week terms were perfect for the way I learn."

And with 6 terms throughout the year – and the ability to attend full time with 2 courses each term – the speed to completion of your degree can be determined on your terms.

Earning your associate degree in marketing can increase your marketability in the field. From a professional standpoint, it demonstrates to prospective employers that you’ve achieved an important credential. From a practical perspective, it gets you that much closer to earning a bachelor's degree and qualifications for higher-level marketing positions.

What if you end up stopping or pausing your education after finishing your associate degree? You’ll still fare better than if you started a bachelor's program and took a break halfway through. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with associate degrees will likely have better job prospects than those with just some college courses under their belt.¹

Dr. Jessica Rogers, senior associate dean of marketing at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), points out another competitive advantage of earning your associate degree in marketing: “It offers students the opportunity to create a portfolio, which showcases what you’ve learned to prospective employers. It also provides the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials that employers value.”

As a candidate for SNHU’s online marketing associate degree, you’ll have the opportunity to build your resume through certifications from industry leaders like HubSpot. A major course within our associate program lays the groundwork to prepare you to take the HubSpot Social Media Certification exam. Certifications like this add value and give you an edge in the eyes of prospective employers.

Portability is another good reason to earn your associate degree in marketing. Thanks to its use of digital and online communication, marketing can be done from anywhere.

All learning opportunities are worth it, but having a credential you can add to your resume shows employers you have the right knowledge to do the job.

For Bridget Gallagher '21, her associate degree at Southern New Hampshire University was "absolutely" worth it.

"I feel like I now have an entire community that wants me to succeed in whatever I choose to do," she said. "I now have an accredited degree in an area I already have experience in. Now when I apply to jobs online, my application won't automatically be disregarded because I don't have a degree."

Laura Swedberg '19 also saw her degree take her in the right direction – so much so, that she continued on for a bachelor's at SNHU that she completed in 2021.

"Before enrolling at SNHU, I was worried that college ... wouldn’t be worth it," she said. "I could not have been more wrong."