College of Business and Economics

MARKETING

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Combine your business expertise and creative talents.

Marketing is a dynamic field integrating a number of business activities. This broad area of study examines the behavior of people in their search for products and services, and then provides consumers with need-satisfying opportunities consistent with the goals of society. Marketing combines analytical, creative, managerial, and sales functions — including consumer research, product development, creation of advertising and promotions, direct sales, and managing pricing and distribution.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing are in high demand. Marketing jobs are expected to grow faster than average over the next decade, with more than 30,000 openings per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In addition to our on-campus program, we offer the same high-quality curriculum and instruction in an online format.

4-year plan Apply

98% career placement

Nearly all of our recent marketing majors are employed or in graduate school. (2022-23 research survey respondents)

Why major in Marketing at UW-Whitewater?

UW-Whitewater’s renowned College of Business and Economics has been preparing students for successful marketing careers for decades. Our curriculum — and major, minor and certificate offerings — continually evolve to meet changing industry needs and shifting consumer habits and trends.

  • We host an annual regional marketing conference that attracts more than 450 students from nearly 30 colleges and universities.
  • Marketing students in all concentrations can receive funding to travel to various conferences and competitions.
  • An expanding list of companies with strong hiring ties to our department allows us to offer internship, career, mentorship, project and other opportunities for our students.
  • You’ll be inspired by a strong sense of innovation and entrepreneurship with our LaunchPad and business plan competitions.
  • Apply for marketing scholarships.
  • The Multicultural Business Program provides academic and social support to underrepresented students, including the Summer Business Institute, a free, one-week program that helps future business majors transition from high school to college.

 

At UW-Whitewater, you’ll have the opportunity to tailor your degree with a wide variety of courses, as well as several emphases, minors and certificates in marketing. Emphases include digital marketing, experiential and sports marketing, and professional sales.

UW-Whitewater’s degree in digital marketing will give you the knowledge and know-how you need to make an impact in today’s digital-first landscape.

You’ll build the strategic thinking and technical skills expected of today’s marketing professionals, including how to develop:

  • digital marketing strategic audits
  • social media marketing plans
  • content marketing strategy
  • paid search campaigns

Plus, you’ll be trained to harness the power of AI, which will enhance your marketing expertise and skillset.

Can we brag a little?
No other regional university in Wisconsin offers such extensive practical learning in digital marketing and artificial intelligence at the undergraduate level.

Experiential marketing is all about creating memorable, immersive brand experiences.

Events marketing — with subsets like tourism marketing, sports marketing and entertainment marketing — is about developing brand awareness, attracting customers, boosting loyalty, educating consumers, engaging audiences and ultimately helping increase revenue and meet other business goals.

Experiential marketers work for agencies, sports franchises, arts organizations, entertainment venues, major brands and other companies at the local, regional and national level. You could be on the front lines demonstrating products, leading games, running trade show booths and warming up crowds. Or you could be behind the scenes planning live events or developing memorable experiences.

Can we brag a little?
UW-Whitewater’s experiential and sports marketing major is the only program of its kind in the state within an AACSB-accredited business school.

The role of a sales professional has evolved over the years, but it’s still about building relationships, connecting people with products and services they need and providing outstanding service. Whether you’re interested in direct-to-consumer or business-to-business roles, professional selling careers are full of room for advancement — and it’s a field that can prove lucrative for motivated sales professionals.

At UW-Whitewater, you’ll gain the communication, interpersonal and technical skills you need for a successful career in sales management, inside sales, outside sales, sales support and other related sales jobs.

Can we brag a little?
The UW-Whitewater sales major is accredited and widely recognized as one of the best sales programs in the world by the University Sales Center Alliance and the Sales Education Foundation.

Warhawks have won Sales Student of the Year and Overall Student of the Year awards from USCA and the American Marketing Association.

What our Marketing students do

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Earn Google Ads and Google Analytics certifications

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Gain practical marketing career experience through internships and sales competitions

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Develop and manage marketing campaigns for real clients

Hands-on learning and cultural experiences

As a marketing major at UW-Whitewater, you can build your portfolio and gain marketing experience in many ways:

Project-based learning and research

Through coursework or co-curricular activities you can contribute to digital marketing campaigns — and see results! — for real companies and nonprofits. Participate in undergraduate research with a marketing faculty mentor. Master your sales and pitching skills through professionally evaluated competitions in your Principles of Selling class.

 

Three students work together at a long table in a classroom.

Internships and jobs

Internships allow you to explore marketing career opportunities, learn sales techniques and make connections while learning in a professional atmosphere.

Study abroad and travel study

UW-Whitewater offers more than 50 study destinations and hundreds of study abroad and exchange programs. Our faculty-led travel study trips range in topics, including Business to Business Social Media in Amsterdam and Arnhem, Netherlands. Recently, our marketing students joined other majors from across campus to support business development in Guatemala.

Campus agencies and employment opportunities

You’ll find student-run agencies and consulting firms on campus, housed in the marketing department and elsewhere on campus:

Creative Marketing Unlimited — a division of our American Marketing Association (AMA) student chapter, this agency provides digital marketing and other consulting services to local and regional organizations. Student-consultants develop and manage websites, social platforms and blogs, among many other related activities.

UW-Whitewater Advertising Association — Participate in real-world projects, make industry connections, attend events, tour agencies and more.

Institute for Sales Excellence — Marketing faculty members collaborate with local businesses on research or consulting projects. The center also offers networking and professional development opportunities for alumni and students.

Wisconsin Innovation Service Center — Offers students the chance to solve real-world problems for clients through business research and analysis.

In addition, you can attend career and internship fairs organized for marketing and sales interests, or seek student employment that aligns with your career goals, such as with Warhawk athletics, or the college or university marketing departments.

Campus and community involvement

With more than 100 student clubs and organizations, plus leadership and planning committee opportunities for major campus events, just being active on campus will help you prepare for jobs in marketing.

American Marketing Association (AMA)
One of the most highly decorated student organizations in the world, our AMA chapter has been named the International Chapter of the Year 20 times, including a streak of 13 consecutive years. We are the defending champions.

 

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Collegiate DECA
Open to all majors, DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in finance, marketing, hospitality and management through competitions, community service and campus involvement.

Pi Sigma Epsilon — Beta Gamma chapter
A co-ed professional fraternity offering students of any major opportunities for personal and career development in marketing, sales and management.

Mu Kappa Tau (MKT)
A nationally recognized honor society for marketing majors. Members of our chapter have received national MKT scholarships and we’ve been a finalist in its national marketing plan competition.

Other clubs and organizations that might be of interest to marketing majors include:

View a complete list of student organizations

Enhance your degree with a double major

Students attend class in a lecture hall.

 

With such a broad offering of emphasis areas, students can customize their marketing career path by adding an optional second major, minor or certificate.

A second major or a minor can make you more marketable in your chosen field. For example:

  • information technology experience can give you the skills needed for business and digital marketing positions, or to become a sales engineer
  • biological sciences' knowledge could prepare you for medical and pharmaceutical sales
  • a journalism background can help you in media, advertising and public relations careers
  • human performance knowledge can equip you with expertise needed in sports marketing or corporate health careers

What our graduates do

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Marketing managers and directors

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Sports, live events and tourism marketing

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Social media managers/brand managers

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Sales managers and representatives

Marketing Careers: What can you do with a Marketing degree?

Marketing jobs are wide ranging: Companies of all sizes, in industries of all kinds, will need your expertise for entry-level marketing jobs such as:

  • Associate store manager
  • Buyer
  • Digital marketing specialist/analyst
  • Event planner
  • Field sales and marketing representative
  • SEO specialist
  • PPC specialist
  • Social media specialist
  • Digital marketing coordinator
  • Marketing automation specialist
  • Marketing coordinator/specialist
  • Sales consultant

As they gain industry experience, our alumni have advanced into roles such as:

  • Director of paid media
  • Advertising sales account executive
  • Digital marketing strategist/director
  • Global marketing and sales director
  • Director of catering and convention services
  • SEO analyst team lead
  • Senior paid search analyst
  • Digital marketing manager
  • Chief sustainability officer
  • PPC advertising manager
  • Ecommerce sales manager
  • VP of ticket sales
  • Senior product manager, AI & ML
  • Communications director
  • Channel marketing coordinator

Many of our marketing graduates launched their own successful marketing firms, digital agencies and other entrepreneurial endeavors. And they have found positions at companies such as:

  • Bose Corporation
  • Chicago Wolves
  • Colony Brands
  • Disney
  • Frisco RoughRiders
  • Generac
  • GMR Marketing
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Harley-Davidson
  • JW Marriott
  • Kalahari
  • Kerry Foods
  • Kohler Co.
  • Miller Coors
  • Milwaukee Brewers
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Milwaukee Tool
  • PepsiCo
  • PGA Tour
  • Sharpie (Newell Brands)
  • Wisconsin Lottery

Contact us

Want to learn more about earning a marketing degree at UW-Whitewater?

262-472-1333 | marketing@uww.edu

Request information about becoming a Warhawk »

Our Faculty

UW-Whitewater’s marketing faculty includes renowned scholars, experienced industry practitioners and innovative entrepreneurs. Their professional expertise and research/teaching interests are diverse and include:

Here are a few examples:

  • AI and digital transformation
  • Market disruption
  • Emerging trends and technology
  • Sales/Ecommerce
  • Social shopping
  • Mobile content
  • Product management
  • CRM use and implementation
  • Destination/tourism marketing
  • Ethics/sustainability in tourism-led growth
Meet our faculty

UW-Whitewater offers the following Marketing undergraduate options:

Minors:

Certificates:

In addition to UW-Whitewater’s general education and the BBA core requirements, as a marketing major, you will take foundational and advanced courses such as:

  • Marketing Research
  • Introduction to Digital Marketing
  • Principles of Selling

Then, you can customize your path with marketing electives such as:

  • Social Media and Content Marketing
  • Advanced Digital Marketing and Artificial Intelligence
  • Marketing for Influencers and Creators
  • Business to Business Marketing
  • Sales Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
  • International Marketing
  • Artificial Intelligence and Marketing Innovation
  • Sports Marketing
  • Entrepreneurial Marketing
  • Experiential Marketing

To apply, you’ll complete the UW-Whitewater standard application for admission and indicate your interest in a marketing major.

Apply

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