Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Marketing online program helps you develop your abilities to reach consumers and drive results while deepening your expertise in areas such as advertising, promotions, public relations, and publicity. You will study market research and analysis, brand management and strategy, integrated marketing communications, and more.
Along with completion in as few as five months, this online marketing graduate certificate program provides an ideal stepping stone toward earning your Master of Business Administration in Marketing, which also is available 100% online. All 9 credit hours from the certificate program can be applied toward the MBA program. Whether you're looking to add to your expertise or start an MBA, this certificate complements any career goals.
Online courses are designed and taught by the same degreed Fitchburg State faculty who teach on campus, many of whom are working professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for advertising, promotion, and marketing managers nationwide is expected to grow by 8% through 2028.
Fitchburg State University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
In this online program, you will:
- Understand the role of market research and its application in managerial decision-making
- Apply a variety of marketing strategies and analysis to the strategic decision-making process
- Utilize the appropriate promotions process in a variety of marketing situations
Also available
Fitchburg State offers a variety of specialized graduate certificate options. Check out all of our online graduate certificates.
Tuition and Fees
Our online graduate certificate programs offer affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate in Marketing | $417 | $1,251 | $3,753 |
- Application fee: $50
- Visit the student accounts website for a breakdown of tuition and fees
Calendar
Fitchburg State online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Intent to Enroll Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Drop For Non Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall B 2020 | 10/29/20 | 09/21/20 | 10/02/20 | 10/09/20 | 10/19/20 | 10/20/20 | 10/21/20 |
| Spring A 2021 | 01/19/21 | 12/18/21 | 12/28/21 | 01/04/21 | 01/11/21 | 01/12/21 | 01/13/21 |
| Spring B 2021 | 03/15/21 | 02/12/21 | 02/22/21 | 03/01/21 | 03/08/21 | 03/09/21 | 03/10/21 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Fitchburg State?
Admissions
At Fitchburg State, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Marketing online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:
View all admission requirements
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for admission.
- Submit graduate application and $50 application fee
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, with official transcripts
- Overall undergraduate GPA of not less than 2.8
- Official transcripts of graduate-level coursework from a regionally accredited institution (if applicable)*
- Professional resume
- Students with undergraduate GPAs of less than 2.8 may also be considered for admission based on their professional work experience and a letter of recommendation
- No GMAT is required
To submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Fitchburg State UniversityAdmissions Office
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
International Students:
- TOEFL or IELTS scores required for natives of non-English speaking countries
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended*
- General Foreign Credit Evaluation
- GPA of not less than 2.5
- Application fee ($50)
- Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose (300 word minimum)
*All foreign transcripts must be formally evaluated before we are able to make an admissions decision. Graduate applicants are required to submit a "general" evaluation. Following are suggested organizations which provide foreign credential evaluation services:
- The Center for Educational Documentation
- The World Education Services
- Educational Credential Evaluators
- International Documentation Center
You are encouraged to contact the Fitchburg State International Admissions department if additional information is needed at 978-665-4399 or intladmissions@fitchburgstate.edu.
U.S. citizens with foreign education (from a non-English speaking country) will need to follow the international admission requirements (TOEFL excluded). Students with the following visa are not eligible for the program:
- I-20
- F1
TOEFL Code: 3518
IELTS Code: No code; please select Fitchburg State as a recipient.
Ranked #8 for Best Colleges for the Money: Massachusetts by CollegeFactual.com, 2018
Courses
For the Graduate Certificate in Marketing online, the curriculum is comprised of 3 courses covering 9 credit hours.
MGMT 9165: Market Research and Analysis
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course emphasizes the importance of research in marketing planning and data-driven business decision-making. Instruction covers the basic principles of scientific method, research designs and methodologies, and analysis tests. As a graduate level course, the focus is on exploring how marketing research principles apply to management decisions. Topics covered include primary and secondary data sources, quantitative and qualitative data collection, sampling and hypothesis testing, and data analytics.
MGMT 9300: Marketing Strategies
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will focus on brand management and how marketing should be approached as a partner in strategic decision-making, both internally and externally. Students will study strategic positioning, market opportunities, pricing strategies, market analysis, as well as product differentiation. SWOT analysis and marketing mix will be covered in a decision-making focus, together with programmatic themes of globalization, leadership, teamwork, and ethics.
MGMT 9330: Integrated Marketing Communications
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course presents the elements in the marketing mix that deal with the promotion of goods or services. The course covers advertising, sales promotion, public relations, and publicity. The characteristics of each form of promotion are evaluated with respect to varying market situations. The focus of the course is on the managerial aspects of communication design, development, implementation, and appraisal. Prerequisite: MGMT 9160.
Still Undecided?
Check out our other graduate certificate programs or dicover our highly specialized MBA online degree programs.
