Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marketing and Advertising Degree
What Is a Bachelor of Marketing and Advertising Degree?
A Bachelor of Marketing and Advertising is a higher education degree that focuses on marketing strategy, research and customer relationships. This degree prepares you for roles such as marketing managers, sales managers, market research analysts and more.
A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marketing and Advertising degree from Grand Canyon University (GCU) develops your creativity and businesses skills. This bachelor’s in marketing and advertising degree is offered both online and on campus and readies you to compete for entry-level marketing and advertising positions in many different environments.
At GCU, degrees earned through the Colangelo College of Business are focused on core domains that provide you with knowledge of general businesses practices as well as skills specific to your field of study. Students earning a BS in marketing and advertising degree will also study:
- Business communication strategies
- Information literacy and data analysis
- Business operations
- Legal, ethical and values-drive business practices
Broaden Your Knowledge of Advertising and Marketing Trends and Concepts
When you enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising degree at GCU, you will become knowledgeable about all areas of business. Within your major, you will receive hands-on, practical training that readies you for careers in marketing and advertising.
The bachelor's in marketing and advertising degree courses include topics such as:
- Formulating objectives for marketing strategies
- Managing marketing decisions for product and services markets
- Evaluating customer buying behavior to inform strategies
- Determining strategies to drive sales and profitability
- Creating marketing plans
- Developing customer relationships to ensure loyalty to products and services
- Building digital marketing strategies
- Advertising using current technologies, including social media marketing
People today are intricately connected with their digital devices. The use of these devices has changed the marketing and advertising landscape and it continues to grow as technology develops. Students earning their advertising and marketing bachelor’s degrees will learn about advertising campaigns done on the internet through ads, websites and email. Earning an advertising and marketing degree now means you can get into the industry while it is growing rapidly.
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Bachelor's in Marketing and Advertising Degree FAQs
The careers you can pursue with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising include:
- Advertising and promotions managers
- Marketing managers
- Fundraising managers
- Sales managers
- Market research analysts
- Marketing specialists
There may not be one defined path to work in the advertising and marketing industry, but setting out on your path toward your dream job in this field begins with education. Not just formal education in the classroom, but also your own education through internships and your personal portfolio. Earning a bachelor of marketing and advertising is an important step, followed by demonstrating dedication to your work outside of the classroom to stand out from others.
If you are hoping to find a way to use your communication and creativity skills in business for a fulfilling career in marketing and advertising, look no further. Fill out the form on this page to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising degree at GCU today.
Salaries for advertising and marketing degree graduates differ by role. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, advertising, promotion and marketing mangers have a median annual wage of $133,380 as of May 2021.3 If you want to develop a deeper understanding of organizational development and pursue a more senior executive position, pursuing a Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Marketing is a great choice.
Yes. GCU offers this marketing and advertising degree online and on campus to provide maximum flexibility to pursue your education from anywhere. You will graduate feeling empowered to meet performance goals and prepared to play key roles in today’s business strategies.
Marketing and advertising employers seek dedicated and creative individuals who are eager to tackle both large and small projects. If you’re looking to launch or expand a career in advertising and marketing, you will graduate with specific skills that employers are looking for when hiring entry-level marketing generalists, such as:
- Interpersonal skills
- Project management
- Digital and social media skills
- Ability to analyze data
- Problem-solving
- Creativity
1 Retrieved from Statista, Social Media Marketing Usage Rate in the United States in June 2021
2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, the data shown is based on September 2021, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Advertising, Promotion and Marketing Managers, retrieved in August 2022.
3 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Advertising, Promotion and Marketing Managers as of May 2020. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as advertising, promotion and marketing managers. It does not reflect workers’ earnings in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. The median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path.
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University's General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-112, Success in Science, Engineering and Technology & Lab: 4
- UNV-103, University Success: 4
- UNV-303, University Success: 4
- UNV-108, University Success in the College of Education: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-154, Applications of College Algebra: 4
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4
- PHI-105, 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 4
- BIO-220, Environmental Science: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, cross-cultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- HIS-144, U.S. History Themes: 4
- PSY-102, General Psychology: 4
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4
Core Courses
Course Description
This course provides the foundation of core knowledge within the field of information technology. Topics include technology-centric organizations, the type and role of fundamental information technology systems, data management to include privacy and security, e-business and m-business, hardware, software, and computer networks.
Course Description
This course introduces models and practices used by contemporary marketers in fast-paced, dynamic domestic and global markets including the marketing concept and processes for developing, implementing, and assessing the effectiveness of marketing plans. Building from a foundational understanding of consumer behavior and marketing research, students examine the development and implementation of marketing mix strategies and tactics with emphasis on integrated marketing communications that effectively combine traditional advertising and promotion with digital marketing.
Course Description
In this course, students examine basic accounting concepts and explore how accounting information assists business leaders in making financial decisions that increase profitability and contribute to competitive advantage. There is specific emphasis on the analysis of financial statements in the business decision-making process, budgeting, and factors businesses must consider when determining appropriate pricing of goods and services. Prerequisite: MAT-144 or MAT-154.
Course Description
This writing-intensive course is a comprehensive study of the legal and ethical issues of concern to business, including those areas of the U.S. legal system that are most relevant to business, such as the law of torts, strict liability, intellectual property, and contract law. It explores the role of ethics and values in business decision making and approaches these subjects from the perspective of the stakeholders as opposed to an economic interpretation of the firm and its responsibilities.
Course Description
This course focuses on a behavioral science approach for examining distinct buyer strategies and decision-making processes of purchase by organizational buyers and consumers. Students evaluate external and internal influences, cross-cultural variations, and purchase and post-purchase processes to improve customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Prerequisite: MKT-245 or MKT-315.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the practical application of descriptive and inferential statistics in business. Topics include probability, probability distributions, the central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression. Prerequisite: MAT-134, MAT-144 or MAT-154.
Course Description
This course provides students with an integrated marketing communications perspective. Students develop objectives and create ethical communications campaigns that integrate advertising and promotional strategies, tactics, budgets, and timelines. Prerequisite: MKT-245 or MKT-315.
Course Description
Drawing upon real-world management situations, this course is a study of individual and group behavior in organizations through detailed coverage of the functions of management, individual differences/diversity, leadership, motivation, decision making, organizational design, and organizational change and development. Emphasis is placed on how an understanding of organizational behavior leads to effective management practice.
Course Description
This survey course covers the basic concepts of microeconomics and macroeconomics. The course begins by addressing the fundamental concepts of scarcity, choice, opportunity cost, and comparative advantage. The course builds on these fundamentals to explain the market forces of supply and demand, market efficiency, the economics of the public sector, and the firm's behavior under competitive market conditions. The second half of the course focuses on basic macroeconomic concepts, including measurement of national income, economic growth, and productivity. In addition, this course covers the monetary system and the classical theory of inflation.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to designing, planning, operating, and controlling production systems. Emphasis is on managerial concepts and strategies relating to the management of operations in both manufacturing and service environments. Quantitative and qualitative methods and tools are introduced and applied. Prerequisite: BUS-352, MAT-274, MAT-374, or ESG-374.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to managerial finance and the financial markets, analysis of financial statements, time value of money, interest rates, asset valuation, assessment of risk, cost of capital, and capital budgeting. Prerequisites: ECN-220, ECN-351, or ECN-361; and ACC-240 or ACC-250.
Course Description
This course introduces marketing research processes and tools that inform managerial decision making in global business environments. Students conduct ethical research by utilizing data sources and applying statistical tools and measurement techniques. Students engage in independent and collaborative research project designs, develop comprehensive marketing research plans, and deliver industry-relevant reports and presentations. Prerequisites: MKT-245 or MKT-315 and BUS-352.
Course Description
This course focuses on applying critical thinking skills to analyze and apply marketing strategies and tactics and achieve marketing opportunities in the globalized world. Students determine environmental factors that affect marketing strategies and apply traditional and cutting-edge techniques in promotion, pricing, distribution, and product development. Students create and manage marketing plans and determine choices that maximize profit and increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. Prerequisite: MKT-245 or MKT-315.
Course Description
This course provides an integrated marketing communications perspective for advertising and promotion using Internet and mobile technologies. In this fast-paced and constantly evolving environment, students develop objectives and create ethical communications campaigns that integrate knowledge of cross-channel and multi-channel consumer behavior with website and landing page strategies and tactics, search engine optimization and search advertising, social media marketing, and mobility marketing. Prerequisite: MKT-245 or MKT-315.
Course Description
This writing-intensive course serves as the capstone experience in business and management that includes the gradual development of a comprehensive and integrative business plan. This course is designed to assist students in their development as managers, servant leaders, and successful strategic thinkers. Management, marketing, accounting, finance, economics, global perspectives, law, and political issues are covered during this course. Prerequisites: MGT-420 or MGT-422HN; FIN-210 or FIN-350; and MKT-245 or MKT-315.
Join Grand Canyon University’s vibrant and growing campus community, with daytime classes designed for traditional students. Immerse yourself in a full undergraduate experience, complete with curriculum designed within the context of our Christian worldview.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.