Marketing

Bachelor of Science in Marketing

Always changing, marketing is an exciting field. In our consumer-driven society, virtually everyone is influenced by the work of marketers. If you are intrigued by how businesses match products and services to consumer interests, Alvernia University’s Bachelor of Science in Marketing may be the major for you. People who work in marketing-related fields tend to be creative and energetic. Because strategies are always being updated, you should be willing to be flexible and versatile in your thinking.

The Marketing program at Alvernia University’s Header School of Business explores and examines the ever-evolving complexities of the marketing industry, delving into such important topics as accounting, business law, statistics, corporate finance, consumer behavior, advertising and promotion. The learning experience expands far beyond textbooks, strengthened by a state-of-the-art business lab featuring the Bloomberg Terminal, and the O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, which offers resources to students and businesses to assist with economic development.

Majors

Getting Started

Where You Can Get A Degree

The Bachelor of Science in Marketing program is available at the following Alvernia University campus:

Reading

General Notes

A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.

Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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Program Overview

Curriculum: General Education

Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Marketing majors must complete 61 credits in the major.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (3 credits: SRH 101 or HNR 160)
COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher (3 credits)
THE 105 Foundations of Theology (3 credits)
PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)

Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
- Lab Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
- Math: Must earn a "C" or higher (Other than MAT 100, MAT 208, or MAT 209; MAT 110 is recommended.)
Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
- History or Political Science
- PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON 3
Culture & Language (9 credits)
- Communication (Not COM 100 or 101, may be met with COM 344)
- World Language – 2 courses in sequence
Creative Expressions (6 credits)
- Literature (ENG)
- Art, Music, or Theatre

Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

Theology or Philosophy (200-400 level) (3 credits)
Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level) (3 credits)

Curriculum: Paths of Knowledge

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines.

Curriculum: Major Requirements

Required Business Core (33 credits)

BUS 101: Financial Accounting*
Choose between BUS 200 and BUS 250:
- BUS 200: Managerial Accounting I (pre-requisite: BUS 101)
- BUS 250: Accounting Principals (pre-requisite: BUS 101; this course is recommended for students considering an ACCT major: consult with BUS 101 professor)
BUS 206: Management Principles*
BUS 207: Marketing Principles*
Choose between MAT 208 and MAT 209
- MAT 208: Introductory Statistics (pre-requisite: satisfactory score math placement)
- MAT 209: Probability & Statistics (pre-requisite: HS algebra and satisfactory score math placement)
BUS 315: Business Data and Information Analysis
BUS 342: Business Law
BUS 410: Financial Markets (pre-requisite: ECON 248 or ECON 249)
BUS 411: Corporate Finance (pre-requisite: BUS 200 or 250)
BUS 426: Strategic Management (pre-requisite: BUS 200 or 250; pre- or co-requisite: BUS 411; senior-level standing)

* must earn a grade of "C" or better

Required Marketing Courses (18 credits)

BUS 208: Sales & Sales Management
BUS 309: Advertising & Promotion (pre-requisite: BUS 207 or instructor permission)
BUS 324: Consumer Behavior
BUS 414: International Marketing (pre-requisites: BUS 207, 248 or 249)
BUS 434: Marketing Management
BUS 444: Marketing Research Seminar (pre-requisites: Statistics course, BUS 207, ECON 248 or 249,
senior standing)

Required Marketing Courses (9 credits)

ECON 248: Macroeconomics
ECON 249: Microeconomics
COM 344: Writing for the Workplace

High Performer Development Series (3 credits)

BUS 251: High Performer Development Series I
BUS 351 :High Performer Development Series II (pre-requisite: BUS 251)
BUS 451 :High Performer Development Series III (pre-requisite: BUS 351)

Professional Readiness (1 credit)

UNIV 200: Career & Internship Preparation

Recommended Cooperative Education (credits vary)

BUS 441: Cooperative Education in Business (pre-requisites: senior standing, completed 90 credits and UNIV 200)
BUS 442: Cooperative Education in Business II (pre-requisites: senior standing, completed 90 credits and UNIV 200; BUS 441)
COM 103 or COM 105

Major Notes

To graduate with a Business degree, students must:

Have earned and maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0
Have earned 60 credits
Earn a “C” or higher in BUS 101, BUS 206, BUS 207 and the math course taken to fulfill the Liberal Arts General Education.
There is a 75 Hour Experiential Learning Graduation Requirement for all business majors. Please consult with your academic advisor for more information.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

In the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne, our business lab and Bloomberg Terminals provide financial real time, historical data, market moving news and analytics.
The O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship provides a support system that can elevate aspiring and existing entrepreneurs as well as provide experiential learning opportunities for students, clients and mentors. Services
are delivered through an integrated network of partners, mentors, staff and student expertise. Fields include accounting, business development, communications, digital design, engineering and marketing.
The Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. (FBLA) is the largest business career and technical student organization in the
world. FBLA Collegiate is the collegiate division of FBLA and is dedicated to inspiring and developing the next generation of
leaders by preparing members for careers in business and business-related fields.

Accreditation Statements

Alvernia University's Marketing program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Career Outlook

After earning your Bachelor of Science in Marketing, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

Account Representative
Advertising Executive
Brand Manager
Buyer
Consultant
Copywriter
Direct Mail Specialist
Direct Sales Person
Distribution Manager
Fundraiser
Grant Writer
Import/Export Manager
International Marketer
Internet Marketing Specialist
Market Research Analyst
Media Buyer/Analyst
Merchandising Manager
Product Analyst
Product Manager
Promotions Director
Public Relations Manager
Purchasing Agent
Sales Manager
Sales Promotion Manager

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the range of jobs available with a bachelor’s degree in marketing is projected to grow up to 19 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in those professions in 2021 ranged from $52,000 to $133,000.

Opportunities for Majors

Phi Beta Lambda

Phi Beta Lambda provides opportunities students to develop vocational competencies for business and office occupations and business teacher education. The specific goals are to promote competent, aggressive business leadership, understand American business enterprise, establish career goals, encourage scholarship, promote sound financial management, and develop character and self-confidence and to facilitate transition from school to work. The Alvernia College PBL Chapter has won many awards on both state and national levels. In competitions, the Alvernia PBL Chapter regularly participates in state and national workshops and conferences, is active in campus projects and completes community service projects.

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

IMA is the world's largest organization devoted to management accountants, financial management and information management professionals. IMA Student Chapters promote careers in those areas and helps to develop leadership skills.

Internship Opportunities

Internship placements for our students have included Citizens Bank, Walt Disney World, Rohm & Haas, Vanguard, GVA Smith Mack, Haines & Kibblehouse, US Department of Treasury, US Department of Finance, Stroehmann/Maier’s Bakery, Webb Insurance, InRoads, Reading Royals, Olsen/DeTurck, Philadelphia Eagles, Cott Beverage, Four Seasons Produce, Morgan Stanley, Ernst & Young and the Camden Riversharks.

The Washington Center Experience

Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic advisor.

Delta Mu Delta

Delta Mu Delta is a business honor society that recognizes and encourages academic excellence of students to create a community that fosters the well-being of its individual members and the business community through life-time membership.

Bloomberg Terminal

Alvernia University students have access to the Bloomberg Terminal, located in the CollegeTowne building. The Bloomberg Terminal provided real-time and historical data, market moving news, and analytics to help leading business and financial professionals worldwide make better informed investment decisions. The university’s subscription to the Bloomberg Terminal will enable students to become family with tools used in financial services while reinforcing classroom theory.

Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Marketing program contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Business Department Chair Tufan Tiglioglu at 610-796-8278 or tufan.tiglioglu@alvernia.edu. To see a list of lecturers in the College of Business, Communication, and Leadership, click here.