Chartered Marketer Pathway
A faster path to the Chartered Marketer designation
Okanagan College marketing graduates now have access to an accelerated pathway to the Chartered Marketer® (CM) designation through the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA).
This recognition means your OC education is formally acknowledged by Canada’s national marketing association, giving you a faster and more affordable route to earning a credential employers recognize.
What is the Chartered Marketer (CM)?
The Chartered Marketer (CM) is Canada’s only nationally recognized professional marketing designation. It signals to employers that you bring both strategic thinking and practical, current skills to your work — grounded in national standards and ethical practice.
Professionals who pursue the CM often do so to:
- Strengthen their credibility with employers
- Advance into leadership or specialized roles
- Stay current in a fast-evolving industry
- Connect with a national marketing community
Who is eligible?
You are eligible for the accelerated pathway if you have graduated from one of the following Okanagan College programs:
- Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing Specialty
- Business Administration Diploma – Marketing Specialty
- Business Studies Certificate – Marketing Specialization
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Marketing
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Marketing and Data Analytics
Graduates apply directly through the Canadian Marketing Association and self-identify as Okanagan College alumni during the application process.
Why this matters for your career
Marketing employers are looking for professionals who can think strategically, work ethically and apply skills in real-world contexts. Through the accelerated pathway, OC graduates can build on their education with a credential that:
- Is recognized by employers across Canada
- Demonstrates commitment to professional standards
- Signals readiness for leadership and advancement
Chartered Marketers also gain access to:
- A national professional network
- Industry events and learning opportunities
- Ongoing professional development
Five Okanagan College marketing programs have been formally recognized by the CMA and approved for its Accelerated Education Pathway.
That means eligible OC graduates can pursue the CM with:
- Fewer required courses
- Less time to completion
- Lower overall cost than the standard pathway
Okanagan College is the only public post-secondary institution in British Columbia with CMA-recognized marketing credentials — placing OC among a select group of institutions across Canada.
From our faculty
How the accelerated pathway works*
1. Graduate from an eligible Okanagan College marketing program
2. Apply directly to the Canadian Marketing Association
3. Self-identify as an OC graduate
4. Complete the remaining requirements for the CM through the accelerated pathway
*Eligibility and requirements are confirmed by the CMA.
Requirements to obtain your CM
- Completion of Summit course
- Completion of ONE additional Chartered Marketer courses
- "One course" can be any of the following:
- Tools for Success
- Finance and Campaign Execution
- Creative Elements of Marketing
- Brand
- Media
- Insights
- Ai Powered Marketing Mastery
- Completion of Compliance for Marketers micro course
- Completion of one year of verifiable marketing related work experience prior to beginning the Chartered Marketer Designation
- "One year of verifiable marketing-related work experience" can include co-op or internships
- Completion of Summit course
- Completion of TWO additional Chartered Marketer courses
- "Two course" can be any of the following:
- Tools for Success
- Finance and Campaign Execution
- Creative Elements of Marketing
- Brand
- Media
- Insights
- Ai Powered Marketing Mastery
- Completion of Compliance for Marketers micro course
- Completion of one year of verifiable marketing related work experience prior to beginning the Chartered Marketer Designation
- "One year of verifiable marketing-related work experience" can include co-op or internships
- Completion of Summit course
- Completion of TWO additional Chartered Marketer courses
- "Two course" can be any of the following:
- Tools for Success
- Finance and Campaign Execution
- Creative Elements of Marketing
- Brand
- Media
- Insights
- Ai Powered Marketing Mastery
- Completion of Compliance for Marketers micro course
- Completion of one year of verifiable marketing related work experience prior to beginning the Chartered Marketer Designation
- "One year of verifiable marketing-related work experience" can include co-op or internships
- Completion of Summit course
- Completion of TWO additional Chartered Marketer courses
- "Two course" can be any of the following:
- Tools for Success
- Finance and Campaign Execution
- Creative Elements of Marketing
- Brand
- Media
- Insights
- Ai Powered Marketing Mastery
- Completion of Compliance for Marketers micro course
- Completion of one year of verifiable marketing related work experience prior to beginning the Chartered Marketer Designation
- "One year of verifiable marketing-related work experience" can include co-op or internships
- Completion of Summit course
- Completion of TWO additional Chartered Marketer courses
- "Two course" can be any of the following:
- Tools for Success
- Finance and Campaign Execution
- Creative Elements of Marketing
- Brand
- Media
- Insights
- Ai Powered Marketing Mastery
- Completion of Compliance for Marketers micro course
- Completion of one year of verifiable marketing related work experience prior to beginning the Chartered Marketer Designation
- "One year of verifiable marketing-related work experience" can include co-op or internships
FAQs
No. Graduates must apply to the CMA’s Chartered Marketer program and meet its requirements. The accelerated pathway reduces the number of courses required but does not grant automatic designation.
Yes. Graduates of the eligible programs — regardless of graduation year — may qualify for the accelerated pathway.
The Chartered Marketer designation is valuable for early-career professionals, career changers and experienced marketers looking to advance or specialize.
Applications are made directly through the Canadian Marketing Association.
Ready to learn more?
If you’re an OC graduate interested in the accelerated pathway, the next step is to explore the Chartered Marketer designation through the CMA.
Learn about the Chartered Marketer designation
For information about Okanagan College’s marketing programs, visit okanagancollege.ca/business