Marketing is a set of interacting business activities designed to plan, price, promote and distribute goods and services.

The American Marketing Association defines marketing as "the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives." Students in marketing explore buyer behavior; marketing research; market segmentation; the development of products and services; pricing strategies; distribution systems; advertising and promotion; and the creation of strategies to meet consumer needs and organizational goals.

Visit the Department of Marketing website

Degree Requirements

Includes foundation courses required for Professional Admission*, general education requirements, professional core courses, free electives and a set of specific marketing courses.

Sample marketing courses:

* Students must achieve Professional Admission (a competitive and selective application process) to move from the pre-professional phase to the professional phase. 
** Check the Degree/Academic Progress Report (APRR's) for your specific academic program requirements per the catalog.

Other Preparation

To develop skills and gain work experience, these activities are recommended:

Work Experience and Internships
Part-time and summer jobs and internships can provide valuable work experience and training that employers and graduate schools will value. Academic credit is not required to receive an internship nor do internship credits count toward major electives.

Clubs and Organizations 
The college has a wide variety of professional fraternities, honoraries and student clubs. Student organizations offer: career information; networking opportunities with alumni and corporate representatives; social activities with fellow marketing students and leadership and skill building opportunities.

Student organizations for Marketing majors include:

• AdCats
• American Marketing Association (AMA)
• America Advertising Federation
• Business of Entertainment
• DECA (Collegiate DECA)
• Eller Professional Sales Club
• Eller Social Media Club
• Sports Management Association
• Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations

Visit the Eller Undergraduate Student Organizations website for more information.

Career Opportunities

Career choices in marketing are many and varied, since virtually every type of enterprise or organization interacts with customers or constituents. Both businesses and nonprofit organizations employ marketing graduates

Marketing Careers Overview

Salaries

Starting salaries vary by size and type of employer, location, course work, and experience. The mean noted below is from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). 

• National mean starting salary, Marketing: $56,571 (Spring 2023 - NACE)

Recruitment Opportunities

Marketing graduates obtain jobs through various avenues, leading to placements with a wide range of firms and organizations.

On-campus recruitment opportunities include the fall and spring Eller Expo and Career Showcase, hosted by the Eller College, and the fall and spring "Career Days", hosted by the University of Arizona Student Engagement and Career Development.

A sample of employers that hired Eller College Marketing majors in recent years: