Marketing Associate Degree
Direct Marketing Major
Retail Management Major
Direct Marketing Certificate
Pre-MBA Certificate

Marketing is at the heart of what every business must do to be successful: get and keep customers. Marketing professionals are responsible for knowing how to produce, price, promote, and distribute goods and services. Program graduates enjoy career opportunities in such diverse areas as product management, advertising, market research, public relations, Web-based businesses, customer service and sales.

The Marketing program provides a strong foundation in fundamental marketing concepts and principles. The advanced courses provide the opportunity for studying topics of particular interest to the student in such areas as consumer behavior, public relations, and advanced sales techniques. All of the courses in the Marketing Associate Degree program can be completed in both a traditional and distance learning option. The traditional class room experience continues to provide students with high quality instruction in a small classroom setting at our main campus and off-campus locations. The distance learning option provides the same high quality learning as traditional instruction, with the flexibility of being able to complete coursework online or through video based instruction

The Direct Marketing and Retail Management majors build on a solid foundation in marketing to provide advanced skills in these specialized areas. The Direct Marketing major provides graduates with a survey of the major components of direct marketing including creative design, list selection, database management, and financial evaluation of direct marketing programs. Particular emphasis is placed on interactive technologies and their impact on direct marketing. The Retail Management major provides in-depth exposure to retail management principles and a strong internship program supported by many of the city’s leading retail operations.

The MBA (Master of Business Administration) is one of the most sought-after professional degrees—not only by those currently working in business but also by many other professionals who are increasingly in need of these types of skills. The Pre-MBA Certificate is designed for individuals who have already completed a baccalaureate degree and wish to pursue an MBA or for professionals in various fields who wish a basic grounding in business principles through an introduction to the business disciplines. All of the courses in this certificate can be completed online. For more information, access the Pre-MBA Web site at http://www.cscc.edu/premba.

Transfer agreements are available that enable Marketing graduates to transfer to other institutions to complete their baccalaureate degree. Please contact advisor if interested in this option.

Columbus State Community College is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for the offering of its business programs that culminate in the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science Degrees.

Upon completion of the Associate Degree in Marketing, the graduate will be able to:
• Understand the role of branding, the concept of brand equity, and brand elements in designing marketing programs and strategies.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the major communications tools used in marketing, with particular emphasis on developing a creative brief and comprehensive direct marketing campaign.
• Demonstrate knowledge of how consumer behavior impacts overall marketing strategy and influences the purchaser’s decision-buying process as identified by marketing research.
• Comprehend the sales process and understand how it relates to consumer and business-to-business purchasing.
• Identify issues that arise in global marketing and describe the basic mechanisms for doing business in foreign markets.
• Understand various consumer and industrial systems of distribution and supply chain management.
• Describe the components of the successful e-Commerce business model and their interrelationship.
• Understand the role of ethical decision making in the business world.

Direct Marketing Major

In addition to the Marketing competencies, a graduate with a Direct Marketing major will be able to:
• Define and develop a target market and select the most appropriate methods to reach it.
• Select and use the appropriate methodology to assess the costs of direct marketing efforts.
• Understand and be able to utilize interactive direct marketing media.
• Plan and implement telemarketing campaigns for purposes of direct selling, fund-raising, and business-to-business sales.
• Integrate creative activities and outcomes with appropriate direct marketing techniques.

Retail Management Major

In addition to the Marketing competencies, a graduate with a Retail Management major will be able to:
• Explain all facets of the buying and selling of merchandise.
• Exhibit knowledge of merchandise management including planning, control, and evaluation of the merchandise mix.
• Identify the various types of stock control systems.
• Develop and execute sales promotion activities including merchandise presentations.
• Describe the logistics of dealing with suppliers, merchandise handling, receiving, and stocking.
• Demonstrate an understanding of all phases of basic store operations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of mathematical tools that aid in merchandise planning, selection, and pricing.

Marketing Associate Degree

Direct Marketing Major

Retail Management Major

Direct Marketing Certificate

Pre-MBA Certificate