A marketing degree is a type of business degree that focuses on getting a product from the conceptual stage into the hands of the consumer. Most marketing majors take a series of required or core courses in the first couple of years, then concentrate on courses related to their major in their junior and senior years. People in marketing often study subjects such as marketing management, advertising and retailing. There are several key benefits to having a marketing degree.
Having a Business Degree
A marketing degree is also a business degree. Your major might have been marketing, but your degree is either a Baccalaureate of Science -- B.S -- or Baccalaureate of Arts -- B.A. -- degree. Hence, you can usually apply for any job that requires a business or college degree, provided that you also have the required amount of experience. People with marketing degrees can go into sales, product management, advertising or even store or restaurant management.
Broad Business Education
Those with a marketing degree usually have a broad education in the different functional areas of business such as accounting, finance, management and marketing research. The core courses for marketing majors usually include some of these aforementioned functional areas, such as a course in finance. Additionally, a marketing degree covers more aspects of running a business than most other business degrees. A person with a marketing degree has probably learned about the dynamics of packaging consumer products as well as the intricacies involved in pricing a product, says the Guide to College Majors in Marketing at worldwidelearn.com. A marketing degree also teaches students how to test their products, as well as the best ways to promote them.
Knowledge of Consumer Psychology
Another benefit of a marketing degree is that the recipients are typically well-versed in consumer psychology, unlike in other business fields. Marketing majors are required to take courses such as consumer behavior, which teaches them about the thought processes of consumers -- what motivates them or how to predict buying behavior based on the consumer's responses. Consequently, those with marketing degrees are a step ahead of most people in knowing about the most important aspect of business -- the customer.
Experience in Communication
A marketing degree is highly communication-oriented, which is one of the most important skills that businesses seek in employees. Most marketing courses require students to write papers on various topics. Additionally, courses in marketing strategy and marketing management entail certain case studies for which students analyze and prepare group presentations. Advertising courses are highly geared toward communication.
Analysis and Decision-Making Skills
People with marketing degrees usually have spent time studying about research and analysis and applying decision-making skills in discussions and case studies which helps them to know how to identify and solve problems.
