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Do I Have to Have a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing to Get Accepted Into an MBA in Marketing Program?

Are you ready to take your career in the field of marketing to the next level? If you have always wanted to be in a management or executive position as a marketing manager or a product line manager, you need to consider going to graduate school so that you can earn your MBA and prepare for a management role. While an undergraduate degree will help you get your foot in the door by getting hired for an entry-level position, most private and public organizations are looking for candidates who have made the commitment and earned their MBA in Marketing. If you already have a bachelor’s degree but it is not in Marketing, you may be questioning whether or not this will affect your chances of getting accepted into an MBA in Marketing program. Read on, and get the answers you need before you start the admissions process.

Having a Bachelor’s Degree in Another Field Could be a Positive

The admissions requirements for every business school offering graduate degree programs can differ, but most business schools are happy to accept MBA in Marketing students who have an undergraduate degree in a different field. If you have a degree in a business-related field, you should have taken all of the courses that are required, so you will fulfill these prerequisite requirements.

If you have a degree in a non-business related field, you may have to take prerequisite courses that you did not take as an undergraduate before you can get accepted into the program. Most schools have exemptions for prerequisites, but you will need to check with the institution directly. If you have the core courses but you do not have a Bachelor’s in Marketing, you can get accepted into an MBA program with a concentration in marketing as long as you meet other requirements. The entire goal of the school is to diversify the student body in cohort MBA programs, so having students with different degrees is actually desired.

Other Common Admissions Requirements

If you have fulfilled the baccalaureate degree requirement by earning a degree from an accredited institution, the next step is fulfilling all of the other admissions requirements. Most schools require students to have a GPA of 2.7 or higher as an undergrad, but the GPA requirements could be stricter. Some of the other MBA admissions requirements could include:

  • A GMAT test score of 500 or higher
  • Professional experience in the field
  • Experience volunteering or interning in the field

The actual requirements will depend upon the school you want to attend. Both distance learning institutions and traditional business schools have requirements, and you should review the detailed requirements of the school you want to attend before you submit your application with your personal essay and references.

A postgraduate degree with an emphasis in marketing can take your career to new levels. If you want more responsibility, and you want to raise your salary, an MBA will help you achieve your goals. With the average Master of Business Administration in Marketing earning $83,000 per year, you can earn a sizable living and do what you enjoy doing by spending 1 to 2 years in graduate school.