Marketing Consultant: Online Training Programs and Employment Information

Many colleges and universities provide online training programs for prospective marketing consultants. Students can earn an online bachelor's or master's degree in marketing or a related field to qualify for consultation jobs, although experience in the field is also important.

Online Degree Programs in Marketing

According to job posts on Monster.com as of 2012, employers seeking a marketing consultant often look for those with bachelor's degrees in a related field, such as advertising or communications. However, hirers may prefer those with a master's degree in a field such as business administration.
Duties for this profession include coordinating resources, overseeing communications within a marketing department, analyzing previous strategies, estimating project outlooks and implementing customer relations programs. At the bachelor's degree level, online marketing programs address a broad spectrum of topics. Web-based master's degree programs offer further opportunities to specialize in such areas as analytics or public relations. Common course topics may include these:

• Branding
• Demographic outreach
• Digital advertising
• Copywriting
• Marketing research
• Budget management

Online Classroom Formatting

It's necessary for aspiring online students to have a basic grasp of computer functionality; specific hardware and software requirements vary by school, but having Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is a common request. Web-based marketing programs traditionally utilize e-mail, discussion boards and instant messengers for communication. In this field, correspondence and participation may be weighted heavily, considering its relevance to the field of study. Students complete tests and assignments online, often at their own pace but in accordance with specific, fixed deadlines. At the undergraduate and graduate level, distance-learning programs may require students to complete an in-person practicum or internship to gain experience.

Employment Information for Marketing Consultants

Job postings as of 2012 indicate that employers often prefer marketing consultants who have 2-5 years of experience. Experience may be relevant in a specialty marketing area - such as project management, personnel or public relations - or within the industry that's seeking to hire. Those with a background in interactive marketing may also benefit, as information technology and multi-platform media strategizing are consistently popular fields of demand.

Salary Prospects

Because of the nature of their business, marketing consultants' wages vary widely. Some work by commission, while others are paid a steady wage. Some are also paid by project. Freelance marketing consultants may operate almost entirely online; in this case, earnings are dependent on personal effort, ability and success. Payscale.com reported that the salary range for the 10th-90th percentile of marketing consultants was $30,281-$156,705 as of 2012.