Unlock Your Potential in Sales & Marketing
Are you aiming for a career with high-income potential and the ability to help businesses grow? If so, a career in sales and marketing might be the perfect fit. The Sales & Marketing Management Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree at Iowa Lakes Community College prepares you with the essential skills and real-world experience to thrive in this dynamic industry.
Our dual-track program allows you to tailor your education to your goals, offering the option to earn either a Sales & Marketing diploma or a Sales & Marketing Management AAS degree. You’ll dive into key business concepts, mastering sales strategies, visual merchandising, advertising, marketing techniques, management principles, and accounting fundamentals.
What sets this program apart? Hands-on learning through a professional practicum gives you valuable industry experience before graduation. Whether you see yourself as a sales representative, marketing coordinator, or business development specialist, you’ll gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in a competitive job market.
Explore career opportunities and salary expectations in the sales and marketing industry at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Ready to take the next step? Connect with an enrollment coach today to start your journey!
Find Your It!
A Versatile Degree with Endless Possibilities
Sales and marketing professionals are in demand across industries, from retail and hospitality to corporate and digital marketing. Our comprehensive coursework provides you with a strong foundation in consumer behavior, branding, and business strategies, ensuring you’re prepared for diverse career paths.
Real-World Experience for Career Success
Beyond the classroom, our program includes hands-on projects and industry practicum opportunities, allowing you to apply what you learn in a professional setting. Graduate with a resume that showcases both knowledge and practical experience, making you a top candidate in today’s job market.
Program Details
Length
5 terms
Degree
Associate in Applied Science (65 credits)
Campus
Emmetsburg
Training
Internship/Practicum
Your Career Pathway: Additional Degree & Certificate Options
Additional Information
Term 1
BUS 161 – Human Relations†
Students are given the opportunity to apply human relations concepts and evaluate experience and observations. Social skills required in various occupational settings will be developed, emphasizing how appropriate personal attitudes lead to social and business success.
BUS 175 – Business Seminar I
Introduces business and accounting students to career opportunities in the business world. The course includes methods of networking and the processes needed to successfully begin a career.
MKT 140 – Principles of Selling
Studies the concepts of selling. Includes an understanding of the customer; realizing the importance of product knowledge; securing and conducting sales presentations, analyzing and handling different types of customers; steps in selling; and the importance of maintaining good will. Personality development and principles of selling are stressed.
MKT 142 – Consumer Behavior†
This course is designed to teach the principles of consumer behavior. Topics included are the following: external influences such as culture, social class, family and situations; internal influences such as motivation, attitudes, lifestyles, and learning; various models of consumer behavior; and how consumer behavior fits into marketing strategy. We will look at what makes consumers buy what they buy, when they buy, how they buy, and why they buy. Once marketers have a better understanding of this, a more efficient and effective method of marketing can be accomplished.
MKT 155 – Visual Merchandising
A study of the principles and elements of design and their relationship to an effective display. Hands on experience in creating effective displays and planning a visual merchandisers schedule. The students learn about display materials and store layout in relation to effective selling.
MKT 290 – Professionalism I
This course helps develop competent professionals in marketing management and merchandising. Professionalism contributes to occupational competence by promoting greater understanding and appreciation for the responsibilities of citizenship in our private enterprise system.
Term 2
ACC 111 – Intro to Accounting
Introduces the basic principles of accounting and the recoding of simple business transactions using the double entry system. Includes the accounting procedures of journalizing transactions, posting to the ledger, making a trial balance, creating receipt and disbursement of cash.
ACC 131 – Principles of Accounting I
The course examines the accounting methods, principles and terminology needed in the preparation and analysis of financial statements. Included is a study of partnership accounting.
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET, COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
MGT 101 – Principles of Management†
Principles of Management provides the student with a conceptual framework for understanding the basic theories of management. Emphasis is placed on the internal and external environment, ethics, planning, goal setting, decision making, organizational structure, motivation and group dynamics, and effective control mechanisms for establishing and accomplishing business objectives.
MKT 110 – Principles of Marketing
This course is designed to give students a clear understanding of the elements of the marketing mix (4P’s) and explanation of environmental issues that are employed in business to gain a competitive edge in the global economy. Includes identification of consumer and organizational needs and an understanding of the basic consumer behavior components.
MKT 150 – Principles of Advertising
Fundamentals and principles of advertising as they pertain to the marketing process. Understanding consumer motivation, identifying the target market, types of media and creation of ads are included.
MKT 291 – Professionalism II
Continuation of the MKT 290. This course helps develop competent professionals in marketing management and merchandising. Professionalism contributes to occupational competence by promoting greater understanding and appreciation for the responsibilities of citizenship in our private enterprise system.
Choose ACC 111 or ACC 131
Term 3
BUS 932 – Internship
To give the student hands on experience in a business related occupation and to apply what they have learned in class to real life situation. It also will introduce them to some business activities that will be or have been covered in class.
Term 4
CSC 110 – Intro to Computers
CSC-110 is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.
ECN 120 – Principles of Macroeconomics
Reviews national income and output; employment and prices; money and credit; government finance; monetary and fiscal policy; economic growth and development; and international finance.
ECN 130 – Principles of Microeconomics
Reviews the organization and workings of modern economic systems; the role of markets, prices and competition in the promotion of economic welfare, alternative systems and international trade.
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication†
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
Choose ECN 120 or ECN 130
Math: 3 credits
Science: 4 credits
Term 5
MKT 162 – Retail Merchandising
Techniques and procedures used in determining profits, pricing of goods, inventories and merchandise control. Typical problems faced by merchandisers are presented, analyzed and solved.
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
In the Sales & Marketing Management program at Iowa Lakes, you will learn how to:1
- Communicate goals in supports of a business’ mission.
- Apply the marketing mix and its implications to business strategy.
- Define assets, liabilities, owner’s equity.
- Utilize value added customer service skills.
- Prepare word processing, spreadsheets, data base, and presentation documents.
- Interpret skills that enhance ability to work with and through people to accomplish organizational goals.
- Compile information of company, product and competition.
- Summarize the components of consumer behavior.
- Specify how store image can contribute to the retailer’s success or failure.
- Evaluate the buying and merchandising process.
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining a Sales & Marketing Management Associate in Arts degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Opportunities, Earnings & Growth
Projected Employment Growth
1.3%
Potential Careers
Sales Representative, Sales Manager, Advertising, Travel Agent, Sales, Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Specialist
Projected Earnings
Iowa Workforce
$69,014
Average Salary
US Bureau of Labor
$85,860
Average Salary
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Denise Reimer Professor | Sales & Marketing Management 712-852-5258 | dreimer@iowalakes.edu |