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Director of marketing and public relations education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a director of marketing and public relations. Directors of marketing and public relations usually study communication, business, or marketing. 79% of directors of marketing and public relations hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,985 real director of marketing and public relations resumes to see exactly what director of marketing and public relations education sections show.
The most common colleges for directors of marketing and public relations are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online director of marketing and public relations courses to help get the education required to be a director of marketing and public relations.
There are certain director of marketing and public relations certifications that you should consider. These director of marketing and public relations certifications include Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) and Certified Blockchain & Digital Marketing Professional.
What education do you need to become a director of marketing and public relations?
What degree do you need to be a director of marketing and public relations?
- Bachelor's, 79%
- Master's, 12%
- Associate, 6%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a director of marketing and public relations?
- Communication, 18%
- Business, 17%
- Marketing, 15%
- Journalism, 9%
- Other Majors, 41%
Most common colleges for directors of marketing and public relations
| Director of marketing and public relations common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 7.37% |
| New York University | 7.05% |
| University of Florida | 7.05% |
| Syracuse University | 5.77% |
| Texas A&M University | 5.77% |
Best majors for directors of marketing and public relations
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication | 17.6% |
| 2 | Business | 17.3% |
| 3 | Marketing | 14.6% |
| 4 | Journalism | 8.9% |
| 5 | Public Relations | 7.4% |
Best colleges for directors of marketing and public relations
The best colleges for directors of marketing and public relations are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
A director of marketing and public relations with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for directors of marketing and public relations. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become directors of marketing and public relations.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
5. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
9. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,530
Enrollment
4,571
10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
20 best online courses for directors of marketing and public relations
Advertising disclosure
1. Integrated Marketing Communications: Advertising, Public Relations, Digital Marketing and more
Just how familiar are you with a marketing communication campaign? Learn more about this key pillar in the marketing mix and use it to give the push your product or service needs. Through this course you will understand the most important issues when planning and evaluating marketing communications strategies and executions in order to create valuable brands and win consumers. You'll be able to combine the appropriate theories and models with practical information to make better marketing...
2. Introduction to Public Relations and the Media
This specialization is ideal for learners interested in how to practice public relations and branding communication. You will learn how to use different tools to manage your company’s reputation. You will learn about different forms of media, how to work with journalists, and how to plan strategic communication to enhance your company. And you will emerge from this specialization with several portfolio pieces, including a media contact list, press release, pitch, and crisis communication plan...
3. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications
Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...
4. Press Coverage, Publicity & Public Relations For Branding
Public relations to reach 100,000+ people with influencer marketing, publicity, and press coverage for personal branding...
5. Marketing Communication Integrated Marketing Communication
Promotional tools that can help you attract customers...
6. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
7. Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better
Become an Effective Communicator And Learn How to Get Your Message Across By Learning Communication Fundamentals...
8. The Art of Communications - Become A Master Communicator
Communication skills training. Confidence. Public Speaking. Promotion. Body Language. Pay raise. Job interview. Speech...
9. Executive Communication Training
Being a great leader without being a great communicator is nearly impossible...
10. Online Marketing: SEO & Social Media Marketing Strategy
2023 growth hacking with top web marketing and Internet marketing strategies: Social media marketing strategies + SEO...
11. Communication Skills - 7 Communication Courses In 1
Master Communication Skills: Learn Persuasion, Negotiation, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence & More!...
12. Communication Skills for Beginners
Start Building Your Communication Skills Now...
13. ChatGPT for Better Business Communication
How to use AI to Increase Productivity and Communicate More Effectively [Improve Business Writing Skills with GPT 4]...
14. CSR Development & Communications: Make a Difference Today!
Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program Development & Communication...
15. The Complete Business Communication Masterclass
Improve your productivity and relationships in the workplace through the hidden secrets of communication!...
16. Communication Skills Masterclass: Speak Like A Leader
Master Public Speaking, Business Communication, Presentation Skills, Storytelling, Body Language, Listening & More!...
17. The Ultimate Business Communication Course
Everything You Need to Master Business Communication in One Course!...
18. Winning With Communication - Master Communication Skills
Communication Training Course - Develop True Communication Mastery!...
19. Effective Communication in the Workplace
Business Communication Training...
20. Communicate Like a CEO
Dramatically improve your leadership communication skills on the way to the c-suite...
Top 10 most affordable universities for directors of marketing and public relations
The most affordable schools for directors of marketing and public relations are SUNY Farmingdale, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - dominguez hills.
If the best universities for directors of marketing and public relations are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for directors of marketing and public relations.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
3. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for directors of marketing and public relations
The hardest universities for directors of marketing and public relations to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for directors of marketing and public relations are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for directors of marketing and public relations based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
9. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for directors of marketing and public relations
The easiest schools for directors of marketing and public relations to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, gwynedd mercy university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a director of marketing and public relations without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for directors of marketing and public relations.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
5. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
8. Manor College
Jenkintown, PA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
898
9. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average director of marketing and public relations salary by education level
| Director of marketing and public relations education level | Director of marketing and public relations salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $100,252 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $89,139 |
Director of marketing and public relations education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025