Is an MBA in marketing right for you? Key benefits and insights

An MBA degree in marketing is a graduate program that combines a strong foundation of business knowledge with specialized marketing skills. You’ll gain insight into consumer behavior, digital marketing and analytics, brand management, and strategic marketing planning.

In today’s complex, data-driven environment, an MBA in marketing can make you a competitive candidate in many industries.¹

This article will help you decide whether an MBA in marketing is right for you.

During your coursework for an MBA marketing degree, you’ll cover core marketing subjects as well as essential business skills. You’ll also learn to apply these skills in real-world scenarios, so you’ll be prepared to contribute to developing an effective business strategy.

There are four primary domains that cover the full cycle of marketing activities that are necessary for successful marketing professionals:²

1. Branding and content execution include establishing a brand voice and story, developing a strategic approach to content creation, and establishing a style guide and editorial guidelines.
2. Data and analytics include SEO strategies, data visualization, data compliance, and website analytics.
3. Strategic planning includes digital strategy, content planning, targeting and positioning, and marketing management.
4. The customer experience includes sales intelligence, customer relationship management tools, and user research. 

You’ll also learn essential business skills that will prepare you to overcome challenges and provide strong leadership. You’ll gain a high-level overview of all aspects of business.

Case studies and group discussions will give you experience with strategic thinking. You’ll also develop technical and analytical proficiency in operations management and quantitative analysis. Since soft skills are just as important as technical ones, you’ll develop interpersonal, management, and leadership skills as well.

Although an MBA is a versatile advanced degree, it’s not always necessary. Many senior-level marketers don’t have an MBA. However, they do have years and years of experience in marketing. If you already have a degree in business, have extensive marketing experience, and are happy with your career prospects as they are, you may not need an MBA.³

However, if you came to marketing with a creative degree, an MBA can help you understand the business side of operations and fill in your skills gap. You may also benefit from an MBA in marketing if you’re looking to make a career change. Earning an MBA can qualify you to make the switch.

Even if you do have a business background and marketing experience, an MBA may help you advance your career faster. Some organizations want their senior-level leaders to have graduate degrees.³

An MBA in marketing can qualify you for a range of positions, from highly technical to primarily creative or interpersonal. Some common positions you may be able to hold include the following.

A marketing manager is responsible for overseeing all of the communications between a business and its customers. This job will draw on your business and management skills as well as your advertising and communication skills.⁴

If you’re more interested in the technical side of marketing, you might enjoy research. A market research director uses data analytics to develop effective marketing strategies.⁴

A public relations specialist works with people or brands to manage their public image. You’ll work behind the scenes to establish and build relationships. You might work with a firm or directly for an individual or business.⁵

Marketing is an extremely valuable skill for any business since it’s at the heart of customer acquisition and retention. When you combine marketing with strategic business skills, you’ll increase your marketability even further. Obtaining these skills will give you a lot of career flexibility and leadership opportunities.⁴

With an MBA in marketing, you’ll better understand global marketing trends and digital platforms. You’ll increase your earning potential and be able to take on more challenging and rewarding positions.⁴ According to Payscale, the average salary for someone with an MBA in marketing is $107,000 per year.⁶

As part of your MBA program, you’ll network with industry professionals and have access to alumni resources. Choosing a well-ranked program will help you make strong industry connections in various fields.⁴

Another excellent option for advancing in the industry with a marketing-focused MBA is a program that offers a variety of specialized marketing courses. A prime example of a reputable program that emphasizes the value of marketing is The University of Kansas' online MBA, taught through the KU School of Business.

KU’s program provides a blend of core courses and specialized electives that cater to those pursuing a marketing career or looking to enhance their career prospects in leadership. Here’s a breakdown of what students can expect:

• MGMT 706: Managing People -This course equips students with critical management skills to handle team dynamics, motivation, and human resource policies effectively. Topics include leadership strategies, employment law, and performance management, making it essential for aspiring managers.
• MKTG 706: Marketing - A cornerstone of the program, this course introduces students to effective marketing strategies and core marketing concepts. Students explore market segmentation, buyer behavior, and the marketing mix (product, price, channels, and communications) to create impactful strategies across industries.

KU’s program offers electives that focus on areas like social media marketing and global branding. These courses help graduates stand out in the competitive marketplace and prepare for roles such as Chief Marketing Officer or market research analyst.

• MKTG 748: Managing Brands - Master the art of building and sustaining brand equity. Learn to design marketing programs and measure brand performance, a critical skill for marketing leaders.
• MKTG 752: Integrated Marketing Communications - Dive into promotional strategy and develop communication plans across advertising, sales, and publicity to maximize resource efficiency.
• MKTG 754: Digital and Social Media Marketing - In today’s tech-driven world, understanding social media marketing is essential. This course integrates platforms like Google AdWords and Facebook Insights into traditional marketing strategies, ensuring students stay ahead in digital trends.
• MKTG 753: Global Marketing - Learn to navigate global markets with strategies tailored to different cultural, legal, and competitive environments.
• MKTG 765: Customer Relationship Management - This course emphasizes building and maintaining strong customer relationships using data analytics and CRM software, preparing students for the data-driven future of marketing.

Through these targeted marketing programs, students gain general business knowledge and specialized expertise that enhances their marketing worth. Whether advancing in a business career or transitioning to a leadership role, KU’s marketing-focused MBA prepares graduates with the tools they need for career advancement.

Despite the many advantages, there are also challenges you’ll need to overcome to get an MBA in marketing. If you’ve been out of school for a while, you may have a hard time transitioning back to a university environment. You’ll be surrounded by other smart, ambitious students, so it may be a humbling experience. However, the upside is that you’ll get to know some amazing people and make some great contacts that can benefit you for the rest of your career.⁷

Many MBA programs are expensive and take up a lot of time. To go to school full-time, you’ll probably have to press pause on your career for a little while. You may be able to keep working if you enroll in a part-time program. However, you’ll need to carefully juggle your time to handle the challenging curriculum and your job. If you choose this route, plan to give up most of your free time while you’re in the program.⁷

Regardless of whether you go full-time or part-time, you’ll need to master time management. You’ll have a challenging course load, and many of your assignments will require a lot of time and effort.⁷

If you’re ready to take your marketing career to the next level, the flexible, affordable #9 best online MBA from The University of Kansas can help you prepare.⁸

With a number of electives in the field, KU's exceptional curriculum covers the knowledge and skills you need to drive effective marketing strategies for all types of businesses. You’ll learn from professors who are at the top of their fields and will take the time to help you master your courses.

Contact one of our admissions outreach advisors today to apply.