A masters in digital marketing is a graduate degree that can help equip you with marketing skills for today’s tech-savvy world.
You can learn how to communicate marketing messages along a variety of digital channels, including social media, mobile messaging, and email. Your efforts could likely help organizations gain new customers and make more sales.
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If you’re ready to explore what digital marketing programs have to offer, you might also consider online studies that you can complete from home.
Masters in Digital Marketing Programs Online
Marketers know consumers. They understand how to tailor products and services toward customers’ needs, and they can build relationships and clinch sales. If that’s the field in which you’d like to be a leader, then it may be time to earn a masters degree in marketing.
More specifically, you might want to get a graduate degree in digital marketing. This course of study will train you to use some of today’s most influential marketing channels.
Your studies might cover marketing through:
- Content production
- Email campaigns
- Online ads
- Search engines
- Social media
- Text messages
The studies might also focus on analytic skills for marketing professionals. You could learn to use data analysis to tailor your efforts to reach customers. Leadership might be another focus of your studies. Through your classes, you can develop your skills in decision-making and team management.
As you take classes, you’ll learn to use some of today’s best digital marketing platforms. Many of those platforms offer certification programs for professionals. You might be able to take certification tests as you go so that you could graduate with several industry credentials to list on your resume.
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Since digital marketing is a subfield of the marketing profession, it’s common for digital marketing to be part of a broader marketing program. Often, the degree you’ll earn is a Master of Science (MS) in Marketing with a concentration in Digital Marketing.
As such, you’ll take general marketing courses as well as specialized classes that focus on the digital realm. That can help to ensure that you’re a well-rounded professional who builds your career on a strong foundation of business and marketing principles.
If your undergraduate degree was in a business field, this master’s program will expand on what you already know. Alternatively, this degree could help you enter the marketing field for the first time.
After graduation, you could potentially work in:
- Social media management
- Brand development
- Content production
- Web design
Some marketing graduates take on management or director roles in which they coordinate teams of marketers. Others are self-employed professionals who run their own digital marketing companies.
Digital Marketing Careers & Salaries
Digital marketing studies can help prepare you for a variety of careers related to business, sales, and technology.
Becoming a marketing professional is a natural fit for this degree. There are roles for market analysts and digital marketing specialists. Leadership positions could include digital marketing director or digital marketing manager. Some companies even hire chief marketing officers.
Marketing is closely related to advertising, so you could also consider a job in digital advertising or promotions management. Since marketing know-how is also relevant in the sales industry, another option might be to work as an e-commerce sales manager.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in management have a median salary of $102,450 per year.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Chief Executives | $179,520 |
| Marketing Managers | $135,030 |
| Sales Managers | $127,490 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $127,150 |
| Public Relations Managers | $125,780 |
| Art Directors | $100,890 |
| Web Developers and Digital Designers | $78,300 |
| Writers and Authors | $69,510 |
| Market Research Analysts | $63,920 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $62,800 |
The job possibilities in digital marketing are diverse, but your specific opportunities may depend on the focus of your degree program and your previous work experience.
A masters degree in digital marketing could be useful for anyone who wants to work in branding or social media strategy. Those are often thought of as public relations jobs, and both specialist and management roles are available.
Marketers may be writers who produce ad copy or other materials meant to persuade readers and increase sales. Those with experience may become content strategists or managers who oversee a company’s overall content plan.
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Digital marketing often relies heavily on visual images and appealing website designs. Marketing graduates may be good candidates for jobs in web design and development, and they can also pursue work in the growing field of user experience (UX).
Graphic design could be another way to use your digital skills. From there, you might work your way to a position as an art director for advertising or branding campaigns.
MS in Digital Marketing Curriculum & Courses
To earn a degree in digital marketing, you will take an assortment of classes related to marketing. You will also have some courses that focus on the specifics of digital marketing.
Here are some course examples:
- Analytic Tools for Marketing: You’ll learn how to perform quantitative analysis using marketing data and how to base decisions on your findings.
- Behavior of Consumers: This class will explore consumers’ preferences and decision-making processes and will consider how consumer behavior should influence your marketing choices.
- Customer Experience: You can discover how to build relationships with customers, create positive purchasing experiences, and cultivate brand loyalty.
- E-commerce Fundamentals: As you learn how to set up and advertise an online store, you may gain hands-on experience with some of today’s most popular e-commerce platforms.
- Internet Marketing: Not only will you learn about social media in this course, but you’ll also learn about other digital marketing channels, such as email campaigns and affiliate relationships.
- Management Principles: Along with students from other programs in the business department, you might learn about being an effective manager who leads teams effectively.
- Marketing Law and Ethics: An excellent marketing leader must know how to make decisions and conduct business in ways that are legal, honest, and fair.
- Search Engine Principles: You’ll study both search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) in this class.
- Social Media Strategies: As you explore today’s top social media platforms, you’ll discuss ways that marketers can make the most of this digital medium.
- Storytelling: You can learn to craft and share engaging narratives that draw consumers into what your brand has to offer.
After taking these classes, you might complete a capstone project in which you put your management and marketing skills into practice.
Choosing an Online Masters in Digital Marketing Program
Once you’ve settled on earning a digital marketing degree, your next step is to identify the right school for you. Here are some factors to consider:
- Accreditation. Regional accreditation is a top consideration when deciding which school to attend.
- Certification opportunities. Some college programs incorporate industry certification exams so that you can graduate with several credentials already in place.
- Capstone project. There may be a major project at the end of a program so that you can put the knowledge and skills you’ve learned into practice. Through the experience, you may develop a portfolio to share with prospective employers.
- Cost. You might consider the per-credit-hour tuition as well as your potential financial aid package as you think about what the price of each school will be.
- Time commitment. To figure out whether a school is compatible with your schedule, you can check out how long the program typically takes, whether you’ll need to report for live sessions, and how many classes you’ll take at a time.
You may want to pick out several schools and make your final choice after seeing which ones you get into.
Digital Marketing Masters Online Admissions Requirements
You can apply online for your master’s degree program.
Schools commonly ask for:
- Online application form
- GRE or GMAT scores (not required for all programs)
- Reference letters
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Transcripts from accredited bachelor’s degree
You do not typically have to have a business-focused bachelor’s, such as an on-campus or online bachelors in marketing degree, to get into an online digital marketing master program. To be fully prepared for graduate level-business classes, though, you may be required to take an introductory business course.
Digital Marketing Masters Programs Accreditation
Schools with regional accreditation have shown that they provide a solid education to students throughout their many programs. It’s beneficial to select a regionally accredited school for your master’s program so that you can graduate with a credible degree that’s widely recognized.
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Taking classes at a regionally accredited institution increases your chances of being able to transfer credits from one school to another. Employers appreciate accreditation, too. They may be more likely to hire candidates with accredited degrees.
Digital Marketing Licensure and Certifications
Earning industry certifications may increase your job opportunities. Certifications show employers that you’ve gone the extra mile to increase your knowledge and develop your professionalism.
Here are some examples of digital marketing certifications:
- Google Ads Search Certification: This credentialing program teaches you about Google search campaigns and also helps you along the path to becoming a Google Partner.
- HubSpot Marketing Software Certification: You can learn to use HubSpot’s software for inbound marketing.
- OMCP Digital Marketing Certification: This industry credential, which requires an exam and professional experience, may sharpen your skills and boost your earning power.
Your graduate classes may directly prepare you to take some certification exams.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Financial aid programs exist to help students cover the tuition cost for their college degrees, including those at the graduate level. You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to get started with your financial aid journey.
If you qualify for federal assistance, it will probably be in the form of student loans. In general, grant opportunities for graduate students are limited. Your state, though, may have loan or grant programs available. Scholarships and fellowships are a way for graduate students to receive free college funding.
Some colleges automatically put all applicants in the running for institution-based scholarships. You can also apply for other scholarship programs, whether through the school itself or outside organizations. Grad students may receive support from their employers as well. Some workplaces contribute to educational endeavors that will benefit the company.
Digital Marketing Professional Organizations
You might consider becoming a part of an industry organization. Membership in such groups can provide networking opportunities as well as benefits like webinars, resource libraries, journal subscriptions, and email newsletters.
Here are some examples of marketing professional organizations:
- American Marketing Association (AMA)
- Digital Marketers Organization (DMO)
- Digital Marketing Association (DMA)
You don’t need to wait until graduation to join one of these groups. Professional organizations often welcome student members, even those who have not previously worked in the field of digital marketing.
What Is a Digital Marketing Master Degree?
A digital marketing masters degree is a program for students who are interested in becoming marketing leaders who reach customers through digital platforms.
Through a master’s program, you can expand upon the business skills that you may have acquired during your undergrad years. You can also gain new skills that will help equip you to lead in today’s marketing landscape.
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Because of the digital emphasis of this program, you are likely to study social media, email campaigns, e-commerce, and web design. You might also study content planning, search engine optimization, and digital analytics.
What Can You Do with an Online Digital Marketing Masters Degree?
A digital marketing master’s degree might help you qualify for a variety of business management roles, especially if you have experience as well.
Departments that might benefit from your expertise could include digital marketing, brand management, e-commerce sales, or online advertising. Your digital marketing online masters might also apply to a career in web development or design.
Content writing could be another field to consider. Not only may you have the know-how to write engaging pieces, but you could also develop comprehensive content strategies.
A number of potential students may wonder what you can do with a marketing degree, but the answer is there may be many avenues you can pursue with this degree.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master of Digital Marketing Online?
Most students can complete a digital marketing online masters degree in 1 to 2 years. A 36-credit hour program that doesn’t require a thesis can sometimes be finished in just 1 year of full-time enrollment. Programs that last between 15 and 24 months may be a bit more common, though.
If you’re interested in getting through school in less than 2 years, you could look for a college that offers classes year-round. It will also help if the classes are shorter than a standard 16-week semester. Many colleges with accelerated programs have 8-week courses instead.
What’s the Difference Between an Online Master in Digital Marketing vs. Social Media Marketing?
For a career that uses technology for marketing purposes, you could study digital marketing or social media marketing.
| Digital Marketing Masters Program | Social Media Marketing Masters Program |
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If you select social media marketing for your studies, you may still have at least one class that covers digital marketing as a whole.
What’s the Difference Between a Web Designing vs. Digital Marketing Masters Degree Online?
If you want to use the internet to help companies attract customers, you could go into web design or digital marketing.
| Master’s in Web Designing | Master’s in Digital Marketing |
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Some digital marketers engage in web design as one of their marketing services.
Is a Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing Worth It?
Yes, a master’s degree in digital marketing is worth it for many students. Many businesses today want to use digital channels for promoting their products, and they rely on digital marketing pros to help them do it.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reinforce the idea that these skills are in demand. It’s estimated that jobs for marketing managers will grow by 10% over the next decade. Jobs for market research analysts are expected to increase at a 19% rate.
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Plus, a masters in digital marketing online degree could help you earn industry certifications that can enhance your employability.
Universities Offering Online Masters in Digital Marketing Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Fairleigh Dickinson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
FHSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Lindenwood is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Montclair State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Northern Illinois University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Ohio Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Rutgers is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Temple University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Wake Forest University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Yeshiva University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Getting Your Masters in Digital Marketing Online
Are you ready to launch a career in the growing world of digital marketing? For a solid foundation, you can start with a digital marketing master online degree from an accredited school.
You could gain invaluable marketing skills, develop a stronger understanding of consumer behavior, and position yourself as a business leader. Online graduate programs provide an excellent format for studying digital marketing.
In online classes, whether it’s for online digital media degrees or online digital marketing ones, you can learn the tools of the trade and try out your new skills. You may graduate from an accredited program as an equipped professional who’s ready to take on clients’ digital marketing needs.
Why not start exploring your options for online master’s degrees in digital marketing today?
