With the increasing popularity of online marketing, more and more businesses are embracing the knowledge and skill sets that can be acquired through an online marketing research masters program.

Do you have a specific niche, e.g., retail, B2B, or B2C, and would like to expand your knowledge and develop new skills in a specific area of online marketing? If so, an online marketing research masters program may be the right choice for you.

So, which online marketing research masters program should you choose? Let’s take a look.

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of The Different Online Marketing Research Masters Programs

Depending on how you define good, bad, and ugly, you may come across quite a few different perspectives regarding the different online marketing research masters programs. So, let’s examine each perspective and its associated benefits and drawbacks.

Advantages Of The Top-Notch Online Marketing Research Masters Programs

A good marketing research program should, by default, cover all the core research areas such as marketing research methodologies, digital marketing analytics, consumer behavior, etc. Even more so, a good quality program should have a reputation of producing high-quality graduates who can subsequently get jobs in reputable organizations.

This, in turn, benefits the business world as a whole since a good marketing research program usually indicates that the business proprietor or leadership has realized the importance of marketing research and has implemented a sound strategy alongside some world-class research methodologies.

Disadvantages Of The Good Online Marketing Research Programs

There are several disadvantages that come with a good online marketing research program. First, focusing on one area of marketing research, such as digital marketing analytics, can limit the exposure to other types of research that may be more useful to the business. Second, a top-notch program may not be accessible to everyone since it usually requires a good amount of both money and time to be able to complete.

To give you an example, the Marketing Analytics Certification from the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4) requires you to first complete a 4-year marketing analytics specialization at a graduate level, followed by a 1-year internship. Further, the entry-level salary for a marketing analytics specialist is about $60,000 per year. So, if you currently have a full-time job and are looking to enter the field, you may want to consider an online marketing research masters program instead.

Key Takeaways

From the above, it should be clear that the main advantages of a top-notch online marketing research masters program are that it provides the knowledge and skills necessary to do business research, and it can expose you to a variety of research and analytics tools.

On the other hand, the disadvantages are that it may only be accessible to a select few, and it takes a lot of time and money to complete.

So, now that you have a clear idea of the advantages and disadvantages of an online marketing research masters program, let’s examine each school individually.

Wharton

Wharton is a prestigious American business school founded in 1882. With campuses located in the United States and around the world, Wharton offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as executive education programs. For more than a century, the school has been ranked among the top 50 business schools worldwide.

One of the school’s core principles is providing practical knowledge and learning opportunities, so it’s no surprise that Wharton’s online marketing research masters program is based on case studies and interactive learning methods. In fact, many of the courses in the program are completely online, which makes them accessible to students around the world.

As a top-notch business school, Wharton also places a heavy emphasis on preparing students for the real world, so it might seem fitting that its online marketing research masters program is geared toward helping students develop the skills they need to find a job in a reputable organization. Thus, some of the coursework and assignments in the program are more vocational in nature. For example, students must prepare a business plan and pitch an idea to investors.

Northwestern

Northwestern is one of the nation’s premier private research universities. Established in 1851, the College of Commerce and Commerce’s Kellogg School of Management have a long history of preparing students for professional life. In addition to a good research reputation, Northwestern offers a distinct Bachelor of Science in business administration, as well as Masters degrees in business administration, public administration, and education.

Northwestern’s online marketing research masters program is one of the school’s more recent offerings, entering in 2012. Much like other top-notch brands, Northwestern’s online marketing research masters program places a heavy emphasis on both practical and theoretical knowledge. However, what sets the program apart and makes it desirable is that it allows students to specialize in a business area of their choice, rather than following a general research specialization. As a result, students can enter the program with a wide range of previous work experience, and they can subsequently choose to focus on marketing, digital marketing, or even marketing analytics.

Duke

Duke is one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious universities. Established in 1896, it is home to a thriving arts community, as well as to a top-notch business school. With over 65,000 students, Duke enrolls undergraduate and graduate students from around the world. Its undergraduate engineering, business, and science programs are consistently ranked among the top 35 business schools in the world.

Duke’s marketing research masters program, which was actually founded in 1912, offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Much like other top-notch brands, Duke’s marketing research masters program places a heavy emphasis on both practical and theoretical knowledge. However, what makes it unique is that it offers specializations in marketing, public relations, and management, which gives students the opportunity to specialize in a field that is of interest to them. In fact, the school actively encourages student to explore different specializations and to take advantage of the program’s interdisciplinary nature.

Rice

Rice University is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the United States. Established in 1892, the university’s academic endeavors and thriving arts scene have made it a popular destination for students. With over 50,000 students, Rice enrolls undergraduates and graduates from around the world. Its campus is located in Houston, Texas.

The Business school at Rice offers a unique specialization in marketing research and analysis. Students in this specialization must complete a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a minor in marketing, and they must then select one of two tracks: marketing analytics or marketing research. These are the only two online marketing research masters programs that we’ve listed here, but there are many other respectable schools that offer similar degrees.

UCLA

The University of California, Los Angeles, commonly known as UCLA, is one of the leading American research universities. Established in 1919, the university’s health science, law, and business schools all have a distinguished history, and the school’s undergraduate and graduate programs are consistently ranked among the top 50 in the nation. One of the school’s key principles is putting students’ needs first, so it might seem fitting that UCLA’s online marketing research masters program places a heavy emphasis on both case studies and interactive learning methods. Some of its other distinguishing characteristics include a commitment to social justice and a strong alumni network.

Cornell

Cornell is another of the nation’s premier private research universities. The only one of its kind in New York State, Cornell has a vibrant arts scene and a thriving business school. Its business programs are consistently ranked among the best in the country.

Cornell’s online marketing research masters program places a heavy emphasis on both theoretical and practical knowledge, and it offers students the opportunity to specialize in an area of their choice. Cornell encourages students to think critically and to challenge existing assumptions, all of which prepares them for future leadership roles and for a career in research.