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The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marketing and Advertising degree program from Grand Canyon University walks you through business-essential competencies in areas such as marketing strategy, research and customer relationships. You will have the opportunity to explore business and marketing communication strategies, practice creating data-driven marketing plans, and take a deep dive into essential business skills while you work toward your bachelor’s in marketing.
As a BS in marketing student at GCU, you can work to develop both your creativity and business skills. Earn your advertising and marketing degree online or on campus as you prepare to pursue a career in the field.
If you have a passion for creative communications, this advertising and marketing degree can provide opportunities to turn your passion into purpose for your future.
As you work toward your degree, you’ll explore comprehensive curriculum that provides a broad, yet in-depth look at general business competencies and marketing-specific skills. GCU strives to develop our students’ transferrable skills, including confident decision-making, communication and leadership, as well as their field-specific skills. Furthermore, GCU offers a biblically rooted college education that integrates the Christian worldview and biblical principles directly into the coursework.
GCU offers this degree program online and on campus to provide you with the flexibility of pursuing your degree from anywhere. Our instructors strive to graduate work-ready professionals who are empowered to meet performance goals, and who may be prepared to play key roles in today’s business strategies.
At GCU, you can earn your degree online, taking classes when they fit your schedule. Online marketing courses can be a good fit for students who must meet work and familial obligations while working toward an advertising degree. Our university offers the same quality of instruction and the same comprehensive curriculum for our online students as for our on-campus students. Benefit from convenience and flexibility while working toward your future career.
This bachelor’s in marketing degree program is designed to educate you about a broad range of essential business competencies. You will receive hands-on, practical training that readies you to pursue careers in marketing and advertising.
Digital technologies play a significant role in today’s marketing and advertising landscape. Students earning their advertising and marketing degree will examine the use of technology in campaigns, including mediums such as digital ads, websites and email. This advertising degree curriculum can empower you to be on the forefront of innovative changes in the industry.
You will be taught best practices in:
These marketing courses include topics such as:
At GCU, degrees earned through the Colangelo College of Business are focused on core domains that can enable you to explore general businesses practices and provide opportunities to acquire skills specific to your field of study.
An advertising and marketing degree can be an investment in your career goals. As of October 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates job growth for advertising, promotions and marketing managers to increase by about 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 24,300 jobs in the field.1
With a foundation in marketing and advertising competencies, individuals may choose to pursue potential careers such as:
Advertising and promotions manager
Marketing manager
Fundraising manager
Sales manager
Marketing research analyst
Marketing specialist
Median annual wage for advertising, promotion and marketing managers as of May 20222
When choosing a university to attend, it’s important to ensure that it is equipped to offer quality education and a comprehensive curriculum. GCU’s business degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This accrediting institution accredits programs that demonstrate relevant business teachings in the classroom that lead to strong student outcomes.
GCU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Our accreditation is a reflection of our commitment to offering each student a thorough education and promoting quality instruction. To learn more, visit our accreditation page.
Any decision regarding your future should be made with care, and you may have some questions. The following frequently asked questions and answers may help you make an informed decision.
There may not be a universal pathway, but setting out on your path toward your dream job in this field typically begins with higher education. For example, advertising, promotions and marketing managers usually need a relevant bachelor’s degree, such as an advertising degree. In addition, completing internships and gaining entry-level experience in the field can be helpful.3
Salaries for advertising and marketing degree graduates differ by role. However, according to the BLS, advertising, promotion and marketing managers have a median annual wage of $138,730 as of May 2022.2 If you want to develop a deeper understanding of organizational development and position yourself to potentially pursue a more senior executive position, earning a Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Marketing may be a suitable option for you.
If you’re looking to launch or enhance a career in advertising and marketing, you may benefit from cultivating skills such as:3
Marketing and advertising are critically important for all types of businesses. Promotions and campaigns enable businesses to raise brand awareness, encourage engagement with the brand, and create personalized experiences for customers. The end goal is to boost sales for the organization, and a marketing professional’s knowledge of market research and data analytics can help the company reach its goals.4
Marketing and advertising are similar business practices and overlap in various areas. However, there are some differences. Marketing aims to identify, project and meet the needs of the business’ target audience. In contrast, advertising involves the strategic positioning of messaging and branding in places or at times when the target audience is most likely to see it and respond to it.5
An aspiring marketing and advertising professional is best served by earning some type of business degree. It’s possible to pursue a career in this field with a relevant degree like communications.3 However, a degree that focuses more closely on marketing and advertising is generally ideal, as the curriculum will cover important topics such as the development and implementation of marketing and advertising campaigns.
If you are hoping to find a way to use your communication and creativity skills in business for a career in marketing and advertising, consider pursuing this program. Fill out the form on this page to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising degree at GCU today.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 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 effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Advertising, Promotion and Marketing Managers, retrieved Oct. 19, 2023.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Advertising, Promotion and Marketing Managers as of May 2022, retrieved Oct. 19, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as advertising, promotion and marketing managers, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. 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. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How To Become An Advertising, Promotions, or Marketing Manager. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2023.
4 Indeed. (2022, June 24). Why Is Marketing Important In Business? Indeed. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2023.
5 American Marketing Association. (2020, April 21). Marketing vs. Advertising. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2023.
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
