Certificate in Marketing
Hours: 12 On-Campus Online
About
The Certificate in Marketing at Fort Hays State University provides a comprehensive curriculum designed for individuals looking to enhance their marketing expertise without committing to a full degree program. It is ideal for those pursuing careers in digital marketing, sales, or consumer behavior, offering a well-rounded education that blends theoretical foundations with practical applications.
Beyond coursework, the certificate offers valuable experiential learning opportunities, including professional certifications, simulations, company visits, and role-playing exercises. These hands-on experiences ensure that students are academically prepared and equipped with the practical skills needed to thrive in a competitive job market.
Why pursue a Certificate in Marketing at Fort Hays State University?
The Certificate in Marketing offers a dynamic combination of flexibility and comprehensive content, making it an attractive option for both students and working professionals. What makes this certificate especially valuable is its integration of professional certifications directly into the curriculum, providing immediate enhancements to students’ résumés and career prospects.
The certificate stands out for its strong focus on practical, real-world applications. Through experiential learning opportunities, such as simulations, company visits, and role-playing exercises, students gain hands-on experience that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction, equipping them to excel in today’s competitive marketing landscape.
Who is this program for?
This certificate is ideal for students and professionals seeking to rapidly and effectively enhance their marketing knowledge. It is particularly well-suited for:
- Students currently enrolled in other degree programs at FHSU
- Working professionals seeking to enhance their marketing skills
- Individuals looking to transition into a marketing career
- Entrepreneurs wanting to boost their marketing capabilities
- Those interested in obtaining a marketing certification without pursuing a full degree
Real-World Applications
Students participate in experiential learning activities that simulate real-world marketing scenarios, offering opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. The curriculum’s integration of professional certifications further enhances these hands-on experiences and is highly valued by industry professionals.
By combining practical application with recognized credentials, the certificate equips students with the skills and qualifications needed to enter the job market with a clear competitive advantage.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
In today’s rapidly evolving marketing landscape, staying current with the latest trends and technologies is essential for long-term success. Fort Hays State University incorporates these industry advancements into the curriculum, ensuring that students gain the cutting-edge knowledge needed to remain competitive.
Guided by faculty and experienced industry professionals, the certificate remains relevant and up-to-date. Their real-world expertise enables the seamless integration of emerging trends into classroom instruction, providing students with a well-rounded education that combines strong theoretical foundations with practical, industry-aligned experience.
Hands-on Activities
A standout feature of the Certificate in Marketing is the use of immersive simulations, providing students with the opportunity to tackle real-world marketing challenges in a supportive and hands-on environment. Crafted by experienced instructors, these simulations sharpen critical thinking and problem-solving skills; abilities essential for thriving in today’s marketing industry.
Beyond the classroom, select courses include company visits and guest lectures from industry professionals. These experiences offer students firsthand insights from experts, deepen their understanding of key marketing concepts, and create valuable networking opportunities that can lead to internships and future career opportunities.
What You’ll Learn:
- Core marketing principles
- Strategic selling techniques
- Digital and social media marketing
- Consumer behavior analysis
- Sales and relationship management
How You’ll Learn:
- Flexible online and on-campus courses
- Experiential learning through simulations
- Direct interaction with industry professionals
- Practical projects aligned with marketing trends
- Collaborative learning environments
Instructors carefully design the core curriculum to provide a strong foundation in fundamental marketing principles, while allowing students to tailor their education to their individual interests. The certificate begins with a foundational course, followed by a range of electives covering diverse marketing topics. These courses are regularly updated to reflect the latest industry trends, ensuring that students gain the most relevant and current knowledge.
MKT 301: Marketing Principles
This course explores the principles and practices of marketing, focusing on both consumer and industrial products. It covers key aspects of marketing, including distribution channels, promotional strategies, and pricing techniques used by modern businesses.
MKT 601: Consumer Behavior
This course applies psychological processes, such as motivation, perception, learning, and consumer decision-making, to marketing. It also examines how individual and group influences consumer behavior and impacts marketing strategies.
MKT 610: Social Media Marketing
This course focuses on strategies and tactics for effectively using social media in marketing. Students gain hands-on experience and learn to create strategic, comprehensive social media marketing plans, blending conceptual foundations with practical techniques.
Discover the full Certificate in Marketing course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.
Students who complete the Certificate in Marketing will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a variety of rewarding career paths in marketing. The certificate enhances career prospects by delivering a focused education on fundamental marketing principles, strategies, challenges, and opportunities within the field.
Marketing Coordinator
Marketing coordinators develop and implement marketing strategies, manage campaigns, and analyze market trends to guide business decisions. They conduct market research, track consumer behavior, and collaborate with teams to optimize campaigns and support brand growth.
Sales Manager
Sales managers lead and motivate sales teams, develop and implement sales strategies, and drive revenue growth. They analyze market trends, set sales targets, and build strong relationships with clients to ensure business objectives are met.
Digital Marketing Specialist
Digital marketing specialists plan, create, and manage online campaigns across multiple digital channels. They analyze campaign performance, optimize content for engagement, and leverage data-driven insights to achieve measurable results and effectively reach target audiences.
Brand Manager
Brand managers oversee brand strategy, ensure consistency across channels, develop targeted campaigns, and analyze brand performance.
Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts gather and analyze data to identify market trends, customer preferences, and competitive insights, thereby supporting informed business decisions.
The Best Value in Higher Education Anywhere
Fort Hays State University prides itself on quality education at an affordable price. Students in this program can expect to pay approximately $2,444.76* (on-campus) or $3,180.60* (online) per semester.
*Estimated cost based on 12 credit hours at the Undergrad resident/regional tuition rate ($203.73/credit hour) for on-campus courses, or the FHSU Online Undergrad tuition rate (265.05/credit hour) for online courses. Actual price may vary depending on course load and location. Tuition and Fees are subject to change as they are approved by the Kansas Board of Regents each year.
Ready for the next step?
Our faculty would be excited to talk to you about how our department programs can help you explore your interests and prepare you for a variety of rewarding careers.
Related Programs
Students interested in the Certificate in Marketing may also benefit from exploring other programs offered by the Department of Applied Business Studies and related departments. These programs include:
- BBA in Marketing
- Minor in Marketing
- Certificate in Digital Business Communication
- Certificate in Business Development and Sales
- Minor in International Business
Yes, students can complete the certificate online, offering flexibility for those with other commitments or who prefer remote learning.
Students can typically complete the certificate in one to two semesters, depending on the number of courses they take each semester and their availability.
This certificate complements other degrees in business or non-business disciplines, enhancing students’ overall skill set and career prospects.
Students can earn professional certifications relevant to the marketing industry, which are embedded within the certificate and add significant value to their credentials.
Students can participate in internships as part of their elective courses, gaining valuable hands-on experience and potentially securing job opportunities upon completion of the Certificate in Marketing.
Information about the Department of Applied Business Studies
The Department of Applied Business Studies at FHSU is dedicated to preparing students for successful careers in business by aligning individual strengths and goals with the evolving needs of the global marketplace. Whether pursuing a degree on-campus or online, students benefit from programs that emphasize practical business knowledge, real-world case studies, and forward-thinking decision-making skills essential for today’s dynamic business environment.
The department offers a diverse range of academic pathways, including business education, marketing, and tourism and hospitality management. Its immersive curriculum, delivered by faculty who remain actively engaged with current industry trends, equips students with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to succeed across a variety of sectors, from local enterprises to international organizations. FHSU graduates are consistently in high demand, reflected in strong job placement rates and a network of successful alumni.
While earning a degree remains the primary focus, college life offers much more than classroom learning. Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that foster leadership skills, deepen their understanding of their chosen careers, and provide opportunities to make a positive impact in their communities.
- Collegiate DECA: An international organization for students and educators in the fields of business, finance, hospitality, and marketing. It prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs through co-curricular programs that blend classroom learning with real-world experiences and professional networking opportunities.
- Pi Omega Pi - Business Education Club: The National Business Education Teacher Honor Society is dedicated to promoting academic excellence and service within the field of business education. The organization encourages scholarship, leadership, and professional development among students preparing for careers in business teaching.
- Eta Sigma Delta - International Hospitality Management Society: Recognizes hospitality and tourism students for their exceptional academic achievement, service, and professionalism. The organization provides valuable networking opportunities and fosters connections among students, industry executives, educators, and peers.
- THM Travel Club: Supports domestic and international travel experiences for students in tourism and hospitality. Through participation, members gain practical skills in travel planning, budgeting, organization, and fundraising, offering a well-rounded perspective on career opportunities within the tourism and hospitality industry.
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