The Covid-19 pandemic that began in March 2020 caused many online universities to close their doors to face-to-face learning, but they did not stop offering online degrees. Since then, the number of students who earned online graduate degrees rose by 33% in 2020.
With traditional brick-and-mortar universities moving to a digital model, it is no surprise that some of the largest and most reputable institutions in the world have created online degree programs. Now, the academic world at large is realizing the benefits of distance learning and is actively encouraging students to pursue online degrees as an accommodation to the pandemic.
If you are interested in an online degree, there are several different routes to accomplishing this. You can complete a traditional Bachelor’s degree and then apply for a graduate degree online. You can also begin your studies online with a Master’s degree and then work toward a Doctorate. Additionally, some institutions allow you to earn a Bachelor’s degree and then transfer to their Master’s program. Lastly, an increasingly popular path is to earn a Bachelor’s degree in one field and then transfer to another school to complete a Master’s degree in a different area. This article will go over the essentials you need to know about each of these degrees, as well as tips on how to get started.
Traditional Bachelor’s Degree and Online Master’s Degree
If you already have a Bachelor’s degree and then decide to go back for a Master’s degree, you will have to complete a Bachelor’s degree in either marketing or business administration, depending on what you choose, before you can enter a Master’s program. You will have to choose one of these topics because, for the most part, there is no specialization in marketing or business administration for a Master’s degree. This will make you a bit more flexible in terms of the jobs you can pursue after you graduate.
Since most online universities offer business administration as a Bachelor’s degree, you can take this one step further and get an MBA (Master of Business Administration). An MBA will give you a leg up on the competition and allow you to move into professional job roles that demand a Master’s degree. Additionally, many Master’s programs in business administration allow you to specialize in marketing or communications, giving you specific knowledge in these areas and the flexibility to move into a marketing career after you graduate.
Traditional Bachelor’s Degree and Online Doctorate Degree
If you already have a Bachelor’s degree and then decide to go back and earn a Doctorate, you will need to complete at least a Bachelor’s degree in either marketing or business administration before you can start your Doctoral studies. Once again, you will have to specialize in one of these areas before you can begin your research. You will have to complete a general Doctoral program in 4 to 5 years, which, depending on the Doctoral program you choose, could take a total of 7 to 10 years to complete.
Now, if you want to get a PhD in business administration and then go into marketing, you can begin your studies directly in a Doctoral program in business administration. Once you complete your studies, you will be able to sit for the Certified Professional in Marketing (CPIM) exam, which shows that you posses the knowledge and skill set necessary to succeed in the field.
Traditional Bachelor’s Degree and Online Graduated Degree
A Bachelor’s degree and then a Master’s degree in the same field isn’t the only option available to students who want to go the online route. Some universities have created a degree called a “Graduated Degree in Design,” which combines both an undergraduate and a Master’s degree in the same area. Design is a very broad area and is used to describe everything from logo design and branding to packaging and graphic design. You will not be specializing in any one particular area.
This hybrid degree gives you both the flexibility to find a job and the knowledge to succeed in your chosen field. Additionally, if you want to get a taste of what graduate school is like, you can apply for admission to one of these programs. Since these are graduate degrees, the coursework can be quite rigorous, so be prepared to make a bit of an effort to succeed.
Get A General Education
While a Bachelor’s degree is a great starting point, you should not stop there. After you receive your Bachelor’s degree, you should try to get a general education. This will prepare you for the real world and give you the skills to succeed in whatever field you choose. Additionally, some of the larger and more reputable universities offer some of the best non-graduate programs in the world. If you are looking for a leg up on the competition, you can complete these non-graduate programs and gain the knowledge and skills you need to pursue a professional career.
What About A Specific Minor?
If you want to get a taste of what a marketing degree is like, you can minor in marketing. The only thing is, if you already have a Bachelor’s degree, you will not be able to minor in marketing, unless you can show that you have the required coursework and GPA. In that case, you can minor in marketing with the approval of your school’s administration.
A marketing degree is very in-demand, especially during these times when more and more people are teaching and learning online. If you want to enter the field and be able to make a successful career for yourself, a marketing degree from a reputable university is the best option. Just make sure you are aware of all the prerequisites before you apply.
Traditional Bachelor’s degree and Online Graduate Degree in Marketing
If you already have a Bachelor’s degree and then decide to go back and get a Master’s degree in marketing, you will have to complete the requirements for either a general or special Master’s program in marketing. Once you complete these requirements, you can sit for the Certified Professional in Marketing (CPIM) exam, which shows that you possess the knowledge and skill set necessary to succeed in the field. Most marketing programs require you to specialize in one of three areas: analytics, marketing management, or marketing communications. The choice is up to you.
Since most online universities offer a general or specialized Master’s degree in marketing, you can take this step further and get an MBA (Master of Business Administration). An MBA will give you a leg up on the competition and allow you to move into professional job roles that demand a Master’s degree. Additionally, many Master’s programs in business administration allow you to specialize in marketing or communications, giving you specific knowledge in these areas and the flexibility to move into a marketing career after you graduate.
Traditional Bachelor’s degree and Online Doctorate Degree in Marketing
If you already have a Bachelor’s degree and then decide to go back and earn a Doctorate in marketing, you will need to complete at least a Bachelor’s degree in either marketing or business administration before you can start your Doctoral studies. Once again, you will have to specialize in one of these areas before you can begin your research. You will have to complete a general Doctoral program in 4 to 5 years, which, depending on the Doctoral program you choose, could take a total of 7 to 10 years to complete.
Now, if you want to get a PhD in business administration and then go into marketing, you can begin your studies directly in a Doctoral program in business administration. Once you complete your studies, you will be able to sit for the Certified Professional in Marketing (CPIM) exam, which shows that you possess the knowledge and skill set necessary to succeed in the field.
Traditional Bachelor’s Degree and Online Graduate Degree in Design
A Bachelor’s degree and then a Master’s degree in the same field isn’t the only option available to students who want to go the online route. Some universities have created a degree called a “Graduated Degree in Design,” which combines both an undergraduate and a Master’s degree in the same area. Design is a very broad area and is used to describe everything from logo design and branding to packaging and graphic design. You will not be specializing in any one particular area.
This hybrid degree gives you both the flexibility to find a job and the knowledge to succeed in your chosen field. Additionally, if you want to get a taste of what graduate school is like, you can apply for admission to one of these programs. Since these are graduate degrees, the coursework can be quite rigorous, so be prepared to make a bit of an effort to succeed.