New Applied Marketing Bachelor’s Degree Debuts Fall 2027 at SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is adding a new Applied Marketing Bachelor of Business Administration degree to augment its portfolio of quality four-year career-focused business programs.

Students in this major will develop the skills needed to understand consumer behavior, communicate value and support organizational success, according to Associate Professor and Business Department Chair Dawn Robinson, Ph.D.

“We designed this program for students who want to understand audiences and turn creative ideas into effective marketing,” Robinson said. “Applied Marketing combines a strong business foundation with digital strategy and analytics, preparing students to make informed marketing decisions and put their ideas into practice.”

The program’s lead faculty member said that the program is designed for students interested in digital marketing, social media marketing, traditional advertising, analytics, branding, e-commerce, and communications. “We want students to learn how to build campaigns, then evaluate their efforts to determine success, while working to solve real-world client problems.”

In a hypothetical scenario, Robinson suggested that a marketing manager at a sports apparel company might oversee a product launch for a new sneaker design. The manager would create advertisements to highlight what’s unique about the footwear and ensure that the advertisements reached the right consumers. They would then monitor sales and consumer feedback to determine the campaign's success, ultimately developing a plan to refine future advertising based on the metrics of the current campaign.

The program is set to launch for the fall 2027 semester and complements the Management and Finance programs offered through the School of Business and Liberal Arts. It will be available online and in traditional in-class formats.

School of Business and Liberal Arts Dean Kenneth Rhee said Applied Marketing prepares students to understand how organizations connect with customers and create value in an increasingly complex economy by combining business strategy with consumer insight. Courses will help students learn how to interpret market trends and evaluate consumer needs.

“Great companies don’t just sell products, they build brands that people remember and connections that last,” Rhee said. “That’s the power of marketing, and that’s what Applied Marketing prepares our students to do. Through essential concepts, practical tools, and hands-on experience, students will learn to turn creative ideas into meaningful impact. This exciting addition to our business offerings opens new pathways for students and strengthens our commitment to preparing them to lead and innovate in a rapidly changing business world.”

Based on current U.S. labor market data, there is growing demand for some marketing occupations, including marketing analysts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing analyst positions are expected to grow 7% through 2035, or much faster than average. The median pay for those positions in 2025 was approximately $78,760 annually.