BS in Business: Marketing

APU’s marketing major gives students a strong general business foundation followed by preparation for effective, customer-oriented communication.

63 units

The marketing major equips students with solid functional skills in business and strong marketing skills that emphasize a dynamic synergy built upon traditional marketing components with innovative digital and social media marketing. These skills can be used to obtain an internship and secure many types of marketing-related opportunities in industry, positioning them to be influencers in the digital market space.

Students in this program are equipped to create and manage all aspects of an organization, encompassing a hybrid blending of traditional and digital marketing. A comprehensive view of strategic planning for an organization to the implementation of the expanded marketing mix and campaigns to promote business services, products, and brands is demonstrated from student engagement. Corporate brand identity, customer acquisition, conversion, and retention are fulfilled through integrated marketing communications and targeted campaigns. Students may earn certificates demonstrating their proficiency in social media marketing and analytics.   

Coursework engages students in learning about consumer behavior, integrated marketing communications, digital marketing, and web design, and offers choices of additional marketing courses that are appealing (sales and sales management, retailing, global marketing management, marketing research). The capstone course, Strategic Marketing Management, is a hands-on course in which students analyze case studies and determine the best course for sustainable strategic competitive advantage. Hands-on projects and community outreach are emphasized throughout the program. 

Today’s employers are seeking educated marketers who can create and manage corporate brands and communications designed to foster a consistent organizational image and promote customer loyalty. Students are equipped with the necessary practical skills to become professional marketers for various types of businesses, nonprofits, and church-led organizations.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

In teams, students complete a social media campaign and a marketing plan for a real organization. Students build their résumés through internships and have the option to participate in numerous student clubs that provide opportunities for marketing supervisory or management positions as well as confidence and skill-building opportunities in leadership, team building, project management, decision making, social media, event planning, and promotion.

Students may also participate in various study-away opportunities. Students participating in study-away opportunities engage with topics of globalization, trade, culture, and global management and leadership as they travel the world. Typically, study-away trips include visiting global and international organizations and learning from universities and business leaders around the world. 

Certificates, Credentials, and Microcredentials 

The marketing major allows students to earn industry-valued, internationally recognized certificates in social media management and analytics, as well as microcredentials in social media, social media marketing management, and sales management, all of which can be added to résumés and uploaded to online portfolios, certifying and showcasing their mastery of these skills to potential employers.

Career Opportunities

Career paths open to marketing majors include marketing coordinator/specialist, marketing project manager, account coordinator/executive manager, product/brand manager, digital marketing specialist/manager, social media marketing manager, creative assistant, web content writer/manager, sales representative/manager, marketing researcher/analyst, marketing manager, advertising and promotion manager, media planner/buyer, retail marketer, marketing analytics specialist, and marketing communications coordinator. Income potential and personal fulfillment are high. Marketing professionals who excel can become top executives.

Requirements

The marketing major comprises 63 units. Students must achieve an average GPA of 2.5 or higher in their major courses (this includes the Business Core).

Business Core Courses
ACCT 120Principles of Accounting I3
ACCT 121Principles of Accounting II3
BUSI 240Introduction to Information Systems and Business Applications3
BUSI 244Data Analytics, Spreadsheets, and Data Visualization3
BUSI 296Business Law3
BUSI 370International Business 13
FIN 300Business Finance for Managers3
ECON 200Survey of Economics 23
BUSI 111Business Statistics 33
MGMT 210Principles of Management 43
MGMT 211Organizational Leadership 23
MGMT 448Organizational and Administrative Behavior 53
MGMT 450Strategic Management 43
MKTG 260Principles of Marketing 13
Marketing Courses
MKTG 262Consumer Behavior: An Applied Approach S, 53
MKTG 361Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications S3
MKTG 465Strategic Marketing Management S3
MKTG 466Digital and Social Media Marketing F3
Select two of the following:6
ENTR 312
Creativity and Innovation F
MKTG 363
Marketing Research F
MKTG 364
Sales and Sales Management S
MKTG 368
Retail Management F
MKTG 373
Global Marketing Management 6
Select one of the following:3
MKTG 350
Marketing Internship 4
MGMT 350
Business Management Internship 4
BUSI 350
Business Internship 4
Total Units63
1

Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.

2

Meets the General Education Social Sciences requirement.

3

Meets the General Education Quantitative Literacy requirement.

4

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

5

Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.

6

Offered via Study Away.

F Offered in Fall only
S Offered in Spring only
F/S Offered in both Fall and Spring terms
EF Offered in Fall in even years
ES Offered in Spring in even years
OF Offered in Fall in odd years
OS Offered in Spring in odd years