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Promotions director education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a promotions director. Promotions directors usually study communication, business, or marketing. 78% of promotions directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 3,314 real promotions director resumes to see exactly what promotions director education sections show.

The most common colleges for promotions directors are the Michigan State University and the Michigan State University.

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

What education do you need to become a promotions director?

What degree do you need to be a promotions director?

The most common degree for promotions directors is bachelor's degree, with 78% of promotions directors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 11% and associate degree degree at 5%.
  • Bachelor's, 78%
  • Associate, 11%
  • Master's, 5%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a promotions director?

You should major in communication to become a promotions director. 26% of promotions directors major in communication. Other common majors for a promotions director include business and marketing.

Most common colleges for promotions directors

Promotions directors often get their degrees at Michigan State University, California State University - San Bernardino, and Bowling Green State University. Here are the most common colleges for promotions directors in the US based on their resumes.
Promotions director common collegePercentages
Michigan State University7.87%
California State University - San Bernardino5.91%
Bowling Green State University5.91%
Pennsylvania State University5.91%
Arizona State University5.51%

Best majors for promotions directors

RankMajorPercentages
1Communication26.4%
2Business15.0%
3Marketing9.8%
4Journalism7.7%
5Public Relations5.1%

Best colleges for promotions directors

The best colleges for promotions directors are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.

A promotions director with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for promotions directors. 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 promotions directors.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

8. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,530

Enrollment

4,571

9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

10. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

20 best online courses for promotions directors

Advertising disclosure

1. Promotional Materials Every Musician Needs

coursera

As the saying goes, first impressions are everything, especially in the arts. That's why it's so important to have the skills and knowledge you need to create effective promotional materials that will help you stand out from the crowd. In this course, you will learn everything you need to know about creating powerful promotional materials that effectively showcase your talent and enhance your professional image. From artist bios and captivating headshots to polished resumes/CVs, persuasive...

2. Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Sentiment Analysis in Miro

coursera

By the end of this project, you will be able to confidently analyze survey data by generating Net Promoter Score analytics to help understand and communicate the state of the overall Customer Experience (CX). To do this, you will gain hands-on experience leveraging the visualization tools in the Miro online visual collaboration platform for teamwork. Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the North America region. We’re currently working on providing the same experience in...

3. Facebook Marketing: Reveal The Power of Promoted Posts

udemy
4.6
(560)

Learn how to use promoted posts to get more exposure on Facebook – even if you have only a few bucks to spend...

4. Facebook Marketing 2023. Promote Your Business on Facebook!

udemy
4.3
(592)

Learn how to promote your brand on Facebook, create engaging content, launch ads and increase the number of followers!...

5. Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions

coursera

More than half of world’s population lives in cities while only 5% did so in the 18th century. The rapid urbanisation has resulted in for example inadequate infrastructure, physical inactivity, gentrification, air pollution, and growing numbers of slum dwellers. All factors challenging health and wellbeing of the people living in the cities. In addition, when addressing climate change it has become of paramount importance to look at mitigation and adaptation investments tailored to the urban...

6. Instagram Marketing. How to Promote Your Business!

udemy
4.2
(499)

Hands-on guide on how to promote your project on Instagram, create engaging content, increase followers and boost sales!...

7. TikTok Marketing. How to promote your business effectively!

udemy
4.1
(377)

Step-by-step guide for beginners on how to get started on Tik Tok. Life hacks on how to promote on Tik Tok successfully!...

8. Successful Events: Event Planning, Marketing & Management

udemy
4.7
(2,141)

Create a single successful event or event-series with effective event promotion, planning, management, and monetization...

9. Start Improving Customer Service

udemy
4.8
(2,040)

Creating a Customer Service advantage in Your department or business through communication and Customer Management...

10. Instagram Marketing 2021: Growth and Promotion on Instagram

udemy
4
(1,649)

Use Instagram to Target and Attract the right Followers to Grow your Account Convert Followers into Loyal Clients...

11. Facebook Marketing for Real Estate Agents

udemy
4.3
(330)

A proven STEP-BY-STEP course to utilize Facebook to promote your real estate business...

12. Customer Service Foundation

udemy
4.5
(290)

An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...

13. Salary Negotiation: How to Negotiate a Raise or Promotion

udemy
4.5
(1,973)

Get paid what you are worth. Awesome salary negotiation tips and training to get a raise or a promotion...

14. Fashion Marketing Strategy: How To Promote & Sell Your Brand

udemy
4.5
(300)

Essential Strategies for Brand Management for Success in Fashion Design. Social Commerce is the New Storefront...

15. Customer Service

udemy
4.6
(11,267)

How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...

16. Marketing Analytics: Customer Value and Promotion Strategy

udemy
4.7
(743)

Learn to calculate Customer Lifetime Value using DCF & advanced models & use it to increase the company's profitability...

17. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer

udemy
4.7
(18,204)

Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...

18. Sales 101: How to Sell Anything (49 Amazing Sales Tips)®

udemy
4.5
(374)

Learn how to sell a product, a service or yourself, so you can get customers, a job, a raise or a promotion!...

19. Outstanding Customer Service - The Ultimate Guide!

udemy
4.5
(292)

Unlocking the Powerful Secrets of OUTSTANDING Customer Service - Transform Your Business!...

20. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First

udemy
4.4
(313)

Customer Care Listening Great Customer Service Concern for Others Company Culture Engaging People Responding...

Top 10 most affordable universities for promotions directors

The most affordable schools for promotions directors are University of Florida, suny farmingdale, and california state university - dominguez hills.

If the best universities for promotions directors 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 promotions directors.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

7. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

8. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

9. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

10. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Cost of attendance

22,990

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for promotions directors

The hardest universities for promotions directors to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for promotions directors 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 promotions directors 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

9. Tulane University

New Orleans, LA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,428

10. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for promotions directors

The easiest schools for promotions directors to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a promotions director 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 promotions directors.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

5. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

6. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

7. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

8. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

9. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

10. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

Average promotions director salary by education level

According to our data, promotions directors with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $103,114 annually. Promotions directors with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $99,447.
Promotions director education levelPromotions director salary
Master's Degree$103,114
Bachelor's Degree$99,447

Promotions director 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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