How long does it take to get an applied marketing and advertising degree?

The applied marketing and advertising program at GCU consists of 120 total credits to completion. Depending on whether you choose to complete your marketing degree online or on campus, classes are typically 15 or eight weeks in length.

Applied Marketing and Advertising Degree Online

Overview

Earn Your Applied Marketing and Advertising Bachelor’s Degree at GCU

Prepare to make data-driven marketing decisions and develop creative advertising strategies with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Marketing and Advertising degree from Grand Canyon University. In this program, offered by the Colangelo College of Business, you’ll learn valuable marketing and advertising tactics and gain an integrated marketing communications perspective while preparing for a variety of roles in our global business environment.

Bachelor of Science in Applied Marketing and Advertising

Offered By

Colangelo College of Business

Class Settings

Campus

Online

Tuition Rate

Campus: $8,250 per semester [More Info]

Online: $485 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 120

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)

16+ years old
High School Graduate
3.0+ Unweighted GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

ACT: 19
SAT: 1000*

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).

Why GCU

Applied Marketing and Advertising Degree Online Flexibility

Along with offering the program on campus, GCU provides you with the option to complete your applied marketing and advertising degree online. Online learning at GCU not only gives you the flexibility that working professionals need but also offers you interactive, collaborative coursework, online resources and tools and a community of support from GCU experts and staff.

Online Learning

Coursework

Study Applied Marketing and Advertising Degree Tactics to Reach Consumers and Promote Your Brand

As a Bachelor of Science in Applied Marketing and Advertising student at GCU, you’ll build on your business knowledge to refine your critical analysis and problem-solving skills, as well as learn to apply a Christian worldview.

Throughout the Bachelor of Science in Applied Marketing and Advertising program, you’ll learn how to:

Develop, implement and assess marketing strategies

Evaluate consumer behavior and analyze marketing data

Examine management processes for effective organizations

Identify business opportunities and solve business problems

Design integrated marketing communications plans

Make informed decisions based on historical, current and reliable information

Determine marketing strategies to drive sales and maximize profitability

Applied Bachelor’s Degree vs. Marketing and Advertising Degree

This applied marketing and advertising program is a transfer-friendly version of our BS in Marketing and Advertising degree. Because of this, it does not cover all areas and disciplines that a non-applied marketing and advertising degree does, but rather provides you with the additional knowledge and tools that are needed to advance in the business field.

Instead of asking you to repeat similar introductory courses, we want to help you complete your business degree in less time, with less debt. This degree program is ideal if you have existing credits that you want to transfer over to finish your degree and potentially advance your marketing and advertising career.

You’ll have the chance to examine all aspects of traditional and digital marketing, including:

Audience segmentation
Design
Pricing
Promotion
Distribution
Strategy timelines
Customer relationship management

Careers

Career Opportunities for BS in Applied Marketing and Advertising Graduates

With a BS in Applied Marketing and Advertising from GCU, you’ll be prepared to take on a range of roles across the fast-paced field of business. From public relations to sales to market research, there are many opportunities available for marketing and advertising graduates.

These positions include:

Marketing managers

Sales managers

Market research analysts

Advertising and promotions managers

Fundraising managers

$133,380

Median annual wage for advertising, promotions and marketing managers in May 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

33,700

Estimated number of new jobs for advertising, promotions and marketing managers from 2021 to 2031.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

FAQ

Applied Marketing and Advertising Degree Program FAQs

If you think an applied marketing and advertising degree is a good fit for you and your career aspirations, read through our frequently asked questions to learn more about this option.

Is an applied marketing and advertising degree worth it?

An applied bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising can lead to a financially rewarding career path with stable job growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, advertising, promotions and marketing managers have a median annual wage of $133,380 as of May 2021.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook also estimates job growth for advertising, promotions and marketing managers to increase by about 10% from 2021 to 2031, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 33,700 jobs in the field.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Is an applied marketing and advertising degree hard?

An applied marketing and advertising degree teaches you the ins and outs of different marketing strategies, processes and communications tactics to help you be successful in the marketing world. You’ll also study consumer behavior, decision making and data analysis. These topics can be complex and in depth, as advertising and marketing is a large, extensive field to cover. However, if you are dedicated to your studies, are data-driven and an analytical thinker, this may be the program for you.

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

General Education Requirements34-40 credits

Major40 credits

Open Elective Credits40-46 credits

Degree Requirements120 credits

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.

Competency

4 Total Credits

Course Description

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.

Competency

9-12 Total Credits

Competency

4 Total Credits

Competency

11-12 Total Credits

Course Description

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.

Competency

6-8 Total Credits

Course Description

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.

Core Courses

MKT-315

4 Total Credits

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 an emphasis of how marketing integrates within all aspects of business.

MKT-345

4 Total Credits

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.

BUS-317

4 Total Credits

MKT-415

4 Total Credits

MGT-420

4 Total Credits

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.

ENT-436

4 Total Credits

MKT-450

4 Total Credits

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 industry-accepted practices 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.

MGT-440

4 Total Credits

MKT-462

4 Total Credits

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 multichannel 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.

BUS-470

4 Total Credits

Course Description

In this writing-intensive course, students investigate challenges facing contemporary organizations and recommend solutions based on research and critical analysis. Students integrate major concepts learned throughout their program to formulate problem statements, employ quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, and communicate recommendations that satisfy the needs of diverse stakeholders.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
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

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Financial

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Admission

Start Your Journey Today

If you decide that a career in the marketing and advertising field could be the right choice for you, apply for enrollment in GCU’s bachelor’s in applied marketing and advertising degree today. Complete the form on this page to get started.

Apply Now

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, data shown is based on September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Managers, retrieved on Feb. 16, 2023.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Managers, as of May 2021. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 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, promotions and marketing managers. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect 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. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates.

Bachelor’s in Applied Marketing and Advertising Degree

Earn Your Applied Marketing and Advertising Bachelor’s Degree at GCU

Applied Marketing and Advertising Degree Online Flexibility

Study Applied Marketing and Advertising Degree Tactics to Reach Consumers and Promote Your Brand

Applied Bachelor’s Degree vs. Marketing and Advertising Degree

Career Opportunities for BS in Applied Marketing and Advertising Graduates

Applied Marketing and Advertising Degree Program FAQs

Program Curriculum

General Education Requirements

Core Courses