What is the benefit of getting a marketing degree online?

Marketing managers are some of the most sought-after professionals in the world of business. As the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, "advertising, promotional, and marketing campaigns are expected to continue to be essential as organizations seek to maintain and expand their market share. Advertising and promotions managers will be needed to plan, direct, and coordinate advertising and promotional campaigns, as well as to introduce new products into the marketplace."

So, what is the best way to begin pursuing a successful career as a marketing manager? Most in this field will begin by attaining a bachelor's degree in marketing or business, followed by a graduate's degree in marketing management that allows them to develop as business leaders through a solid foundation of business courses coupled with relevant marketing coursework. While taking two or more years to move to a new city and leave a job is not an option, here are four great reasons to pursue an Online Master's in Marketing Management.

An online Master's in Marketing Management offers convenience

Gone are the days when a graduate student would have to sacrifice the position within an organization she had worked so hard for in order to better herself through higher education. Today, the best business schools across the nation offer marketing management programs in 100% online formats, allowing the student to determine the course load schedule. While some programs can be completed in as few as 12 months, professionals with active work or personal demands can take five to seven years to complete all program requirements.

An online Master's in Marketing Management offers affordability

The single largest expense one is responsible for when pursuing a graduate degree is a program's tuition. While you can research to find an affordable program, there are still many other financial benefits to completing a degree online. Just as distance learners do not incur travel expenses, including car upkeep and parking, they don't face the other cost of living expenses like their counterparts who live on school campuses. Online students with children do not incur babysitting fees like students needing to be in the classroom multiple times a week.

An online Master's in Marketing Management offers networking potential

There are certainly some social and relational benefits to taking courses at a brick and mortar college campus. That is why some of the top business schools in the country have worked networking and cohort-based learning into programs like the online master's in marketing management. Some programs require on-campus residencies of its online students in order that they may benefit from meeting staff and fellow students. Even programs without residencies offer online students unique networking potential, by widening their circle to professionals all around the world. Online students are still required to cooperate in team projects and exercises, and thus get to hone their virtual team and virtual networking skills.

An online Master's in Marketing Management offers a high-quality education

There is clearly a difference of context when comparing a traditional student's schedule to a distance learner seeking a degree like the online master's in marketing management. However, most online programs make it abundantly clear that the curriculum used in their degree is the same curriculum taught to on-campus students. Business schools will often advertise that the same highly-respected staff teach both in the classroom and online. In other words, there is no sacrifice to quality when pursuing an online degree.

These are just a few reasons why pursuing a degree like the online master's in marketing management may be in your best interest as a graduate student in business. As in all things, do your homework; see what characteristics of the program the business school advertises and if there are still questions, make contact through a phone call or email.