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Director, strategic marketing education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a director, strategic marketing. Directors, strategic marketing usually study business, marketing, or communication. 72% of directors, strategic marketing hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,143 real director, strategic marketing resumes to see exactly what director, strategic marketing education sections show.

The most common colleges for directors, strategic marketing are the New York University and the New York University.

There are also many online director, strategic marketing courses to help get the education required to be a director, strategic marketing.

What education do you need to become a director, strategic marketing?

What degree do you need to be a director, strategic marketing?

The most common degree for directors, strategic marketing is bachelor's degree, with 72% of directors, strategic marketing earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 20% and master's degree degree at 3%.
  • Bachelor's, 72%
  • Master's, 20%
  • Associate, 3%
  • Doctorate, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a director, strategic marketing?

You should major in business to become a director, strategic marketing. 24% of directors, strategic marketing major in business. Other common majors for a director, strategic marketing include marketing and communication.

Most common colleges for directors, strategic marketing

Directors, strategic marketing often get their degrees at New York University, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and Pennsylvania State University. Here are the most common colleges for directors, strategic marketing in the US based on their resumes.
Director, strategic marketing common collegePercentages
New York University8.61%
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey6.62%
Pennsylvania State University5.96%
Cornell University5.96%
Northeastern University5.96%

Best majors for directors, strategic marketing

RankMajorPercentages
1Business23.6%
2Marketing17.5%
3Communication7.3%
4Electrical Engineering7.0%
5Management5.2%

Best colleges for directors, strategic marketing

The best colleges for directors, strategic marketing are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and University of Pennsylvania.

A director, strategic marketing 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, strategic marketing. 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, strategic marketing.

1. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

2. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

4. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

5. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

6. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

7. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

10. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

20 best online courses for directors, strategic marketing

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3. Predictive Analytics for Business

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Learn to apply predictive analytics and business intelligence to solve real-world business problems...

4. Marketing Analytics

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Gain an in-depth understanding of Google Analytics and marketing analytics. Analyze data and build models with Excel, Data Studio, and create informative data visualizations with Tableau...

5. Strategic Product Development

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This course discusses how companies create new products that customers want while achieving their financial objectives. Learners begin by defining the product strategies necessary to ensure a company’s long-term growth. Learners then explore the different product development processes used by high-tech businesses today, such as Stage-Gate and Lean/Agile techniques. Learners conclude by illustrating the tools to build the high-performance teams that take the development process from concept...

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7. Product Management Marketing: Dekker's Product Marketing MBA

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Be a Product Marketing Manager - Product Management : Product Manager MBA : Product to Market : Product Owner Launch GTM...

8. Product Marketing Launch Plan: Product GTM with Dekker, MBA

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Envision and lead the product strategy of industry-defining products, and learn to successfully bring them to market. Influence the execution of product development as a Product Manager, one of the most highly-coveted roles in technology...

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Master your product marketing skills through practical examples and exercises...

12. Strategic Planning Skills

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Strategic Planning Skills...

13. Digital Marketing

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14. AI for Business Leaders

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Master the foundations of artificial intelligence so you can strategically implement AI in your company. Leverage machine learning technologies to power corporate growth, increase efficiency, and enhance customer experiences...

15. Understanding Strategic Marketing

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4.6
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A guide for managers and MBA students to master marketing theory and application...

16. Email Marketing 2021: Build and Launch Effective Campaigns

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Learn How to Create an Effective Email Marketing Campaign That Makes Your Business More Successful...

17. Business Analytics

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In this program, you will learn foundational data skills that apply across functions and industries. You will learn to analyze data and build models with Excel, query databases using SQL, and create informative data visualizations with Tableau...

18. AI Product Manager

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Learn to develop AI products that deliver business value. Build skills that help you compete in the new AI-powered world...

19. Product Management 101

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4.6
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Learn to become a more strategic product manager - and have a greater impact on your company and your products...

20. Online Business Masterclass: Sell Your Own Digital Products

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Create, Launch & Market an Online Business w/ Digital Products: Online Courses, Coaching, e Books Passive Income Course...

Top 10 most affordable universities for directors, strategic marketing

The most affordable schools for directors, strategic marketing are University of Florida, fashion institute of technology, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for directors, strategic marketing 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, strategic marketing.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$5,740

Cost of attendance

17,864

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

8. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

9. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

10. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for directors, strategic marketing

The hardest universities for directors, strategic marketing to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for directors, strategic marketing 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, strategic marketing 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 Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

8. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

9. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

10. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,390

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for directors, strategic marketing

The easiest schools for directors, strategic marketing to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, university of the incarnate word, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a director, strategic marketing 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, strategic marketing.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

4. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

5. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

8. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

9. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

10. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

Average director, strategic marketing salary by education level

Directors, strategic marketing with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $166,305 annually. With a Master's degree, directors, strategic marketing earn a median annual income of $158,211 compared to $137,364 for directors, strategic marketing with an Bachelor's degree.
Director, strategic marketing education levelDirector, strategic marketing salary
Master's Degree$158,211
Bachelor's Degree$137,364
Doctorate Degree$166,305

Director, strategic marketing education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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