Marketing Research Analyst Degree

Hi,

I was on another thread earlier for paralegal, but since I learned I would be eligible to get financial aid for a bachelor degree I am also looking at marketing as well. My one love is doing informational research on pretty much any topic. Whether it is in the library or internet I am very comfortable. That is one of the things that made me interested in paralegal since they do research.

I have an AA in Medical Secretary in 2007. I have close to complete degree in Sociology back in the 1980s. Many of these courses might not carry over due to them being so old. My education contains concentrations in office programs, medical, sociology, psychology, criminal justice, and business.

I have been out of the work force for quite sometime due to a medical condition. Prior to that my husband and I owned a carpeting store back in the early 2000s. Since that I have done eCommerce business to some extent and been founder of a special needs non-profit organization.

Now, I want to enter the work force again but will need to choose an area that is in demand and that pays well that I like. Having a career that pays more than minimum wage is very important to pay back those student loans from the 1980s and be financially stable since we have a special needs child.

First of all what type of major/majors would you take for a Marketing Research Analyst? What would be good courses to include in this program.

I know from my research that although bachelor degrees will be accepted that Master degrees are better to have.

Is there a bachelor major that would be favorable that is related to research that could be used as a stepping stone to a master's degree?

Also, what online degree accredited school programs offer this type of program that I can mostly pay with federal grants and that offer scholarships. I have found that many public colleges don't offer very many scholarships for out of state students taking online degrees.

Thanks
DJ

 

I don't know anything about the marketing field, but I am currently enrolled at Fort Hays State University. They offer distance learning, and their bachelor degree is only $174 per credit. They offer a bachelor degree in Marketing, completely online. Here is a link:
Marketing - Fort Hays State University

Good luck to you in your college/degree search!

 

Thanks,

I will definitely check them out.

DJ

 

I don't know anything

 

I would recommend becoming proficient in data analysis programs and software before I would recommend a particular major/degree.
For what you're looking to do you need to understand what research methodologies to use when, know how to use SPSS to run those methodologies, know how to work with large data sets, be proficient in Exel (pivot tables, V look ups, etc.) and Access/SQL, know how to use PowerPoint to write a presentation on your findings. You won't learn these things in any great depth with any particular degree. If you don't have these skills now, you need to learn them either through an entry level research job or by teaching them to yourself. A marketing degree may help you to grasp what research methodologies to use when and the type of analysis you will should utilize, bit you will only get minimal exposure to a lot of those programs, and likely not on a level where an employer would find you invaluable.
I attended what I believe most people would deem very good schools for my business education (Auburn undergrad, Vanderbilt for grad school) and I didn't learn those things at a high level through classes. I received basic exposure to SPSS and the MS Office Suite, but had to spend a lot of time on my own to really become proficient with them.
The good news is there are tons of free tutorials online where you can learn those programs and SPSS will even give you (I believe) a 30 day free trial. If you don't have MS Office you can download an open source version like OpenOffice to practice things like pivot tables,etc.
Anyway, that's my two cents and I hope it helps to some degree. Best of luck.