by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you interested in promotion? Are you a creative individual, who enjoys interacting with others? Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations might be the major for you. In this program you will learn to promote, sell, and distribute various products and services. Students will learn how to analyze merchandising data, determine buyer's desires and needs, and learn about various market factors.
Depending on your college, you may have the option to choose a concentration focused on one specialized field. Examples of fields where you may concentrate in are Auctioneering, Fashion Modeling, Fashion Merchandising, Apparel and Accessories, Tourism and Traveling, Vehicle and Vehicle Parts, Business and Personal Services, Hospitality and Recreation.
While all the concentrations are within different industries, you will be taking general courses in consumer behavior, marketing strategy, advertising and promotion, and marketing management.
In 2020-2021, specialized sales, merchandising and marketing was the 138th most popular major nationwide with 5,191 degrees awarded. This represents a 3.2% reduction in specialized marketing degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 5,357.
This year's Best Specialized Sales, Merchandising & Marketing Schools ranking compares 104 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom specialized marketing rankings further below.
In order to be successful within this major it is important to be personable. You will be working with various individuals and companies directly, therefore being relatable and trustworthy is important. Strong communication skills will help you build relationships with clients.
Merchandising and Marketing requires innovation in order to stand apart, making creativity a vital skill to possess. Gain real-world work experience through an internship or part-time job in sales, customer service or retail.
specialized sales, merchandising and marketing degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific specialized marketing careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different specialized marketing degree levels. Specialized Sales, Merchandising & Marketing programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest specialized marketing degree you can get. Specialized Sales, Merchandising & Marketing programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to specialized marketing, with approximately 31.4% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for specialized marketing workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 32.9% |
| High School Diploma | 31.8% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 11.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 11.1% |
| Some College Courses | 5.6% |
See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in specialized sales, merchandising and marketing have received.
This of course varies depending on which specialized marketing career you choose.
There are many different career opportunities with a degree in Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations. There are various industries that are associated with this major, therefore are options are extensive. For example, you could become a Travel Agent and work promoting and selling transportation, lodging, and entertainment options to a variety of individuals and groups who are planning trips.
Another option is to become a Sales Manager, and work directing and managing a sales team. These professionals make sure their team is hitting set goals; in addition they analyze data and train their staff.
Want a job when you graduate with your specialized marketing degree? Specialized Sales, Merchandising & Marketing careers are expected to grow 4.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to specialized sales, merchandising and marketing.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Sales Supervisors | 1,590,100 | 3.8% |
| Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives | 1,546,300 | 5.2% |
| Sales Supervisors | 425,200 | 4.9% |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | 398,900 | 6.2% |
| Parts Salespersons | 264,500 | 5.0% |
Recently graduated specialized sales, merchandising and marketing students earned an average of $33,233 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $11,437 to as high as $162,678. As you might expect, salaries for specialized marketing graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for specialized sales, merchandising and marketing graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers specialized marketing grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $98,770 |
| Sales Supervisors | $84,600 |
| Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives | $69,480 |
| Lodging Managers | $62,270 |
| Retail Sales Supervisors | $45,080 |
With over 325 different specialized marketing degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased specialized marketing school rankings to help you with this.
One of 21 majors within the Business, Management & Marketing area of study, Specialized Sales, Merchandising & Marketing has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | 416,590 |
| Accounting | 99,265 |
| Finance & Financial Management | 57,778 |
| General Business/Commerce | 56,042 |
| Marketing | 52,916 |
