Digital marketing is the use of digital channels to market services and products to consumers. This particular type of marketing includes the use of websites, social media, mobile devices, search engines, and other avenues. Digital marketing has become more popular since the release of the Internet in the early 1990s.
Digital marketing includes some of the same ideas as traditional marketing. It is a new way for companies to be able to reach consumers. It is so even understand the behavior of their consumers. Companies combine digital and traditional marketing techniques and their advertising strategies.
Digital marketing is a form of marketing that is different from Internet marketing. Digital marketing is a broad field and can include attracting customers through e-mail lists, search platforms, social media, content marketing. One of the biggest challenges that digital marketers have to deal with is how to set themselves apart.
What Is A Online Master’s In Digital Marketing Degree?
Digital marketing students will learn how to create content that is targeted. Students will utilize their skills to be able to make marketing decisions based on data they have collected. A digital marketing degree expands on fundamental marketing and business concepts. It will also equip graduates with the skills they need in different areas, such as:
- Market Research
- Analytics
- Content Strategies
Graduates will be able to work in careers in different fields, including management, business, and, of course, marketing.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10 percent growth from the year 2020 to the year 2030 in the areas of promotions, marketing management, and advertising. Graduates can earn a median salary of around $134,000.
A master’s degree in digital marketing can allow graduates to embark on business careers or even continue their education to receive their doctorate degrees. Students need to consider these options when choosing their master’s degree in the digital marketing program.
Students should be prepared to complete 30 to 45 credit hours over the course of 18 months to two years to earn their master’s degree in digital marketing. They will complete business and marketing coursework, practical exercises, and marketing and consumer research.
What Is The Difference Between A MA and MS in Digital Marketing?
While it may vary from college to university, master’s degrees in digital marketing are available in a lot of different specialized areas. Students who have finished their bachelor’s degrees will need to do their research and decide which type of master’s degree in digital marketing they want to earn. The list below includes some of the main master’s degrees in digital marketing that students can earn:
- Master of Science (MS) in Integrated Marketing Communications
- Master of Science in Digital and Social Marketing
- Master of Science in Digital Marketing Communications
- Master of Science in Digital Marketing and Design
- Master of Science in Digital Communication
- Master of Science in Digital Innovation in Marketing
- Master in Science in Marketing Analytics
- Master of Science in Social Media Marketing
- Master of Mass Communication with a specialization in Digital Strategy
- Master of Business Administration in Digital Marketing
- Master of Arts (MA) in Marketing and Digital Media
A master’s degree program in digital marketing usually combines marketing with business coursework as well as other areas of the field. Different schools will award different types of digital marketing degrees. Normally, those degrees are Master of Science or master of business administration degrees.
What Does The Curriculum And Courses Look Like For An Online Master’s Degree In Digital Marketing?
Students who enroll in a master’s degree program for digital marketing will study some of the same concepts that are taught in traditional marketing master’s degree programs, such as sales research in consumer psychology. They will take courses, such as:
- Content Marketing
- Social media marketing
- Brand strategy
- Data visualization
- Email marketing
- Digital assets management
- Electronic and social commerce
- Influencer marketing
- Digital marketing strategy
- Integrated marketing communications
- Link building
- Multicultural marketing
- Paid advertisements
- Search engine marketing
- Search engine optimization
- Sponsored content
- Tools like Google Analytics and Google Ads
- UX design
- Web analytics
What Are Some Careers In Digital Marketing With A Masters?
Graduates with a master’s degree in digital marketing can work in various positions. They can even open their own digital marketing agency and become an entrepreneur.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual income for a marketing manager as of May of 2021 was $133,380. Data shows that digital marketing professionals who work in the states of Delaware, Virginia, and New York tend to earn the most money per year.
A master’s degree in digital marketing will allow graduates to advance in their careers or to start new ones, since most marketing jobs only require a bachelor’s degree in a field, such as business, communication, or marketing.
Graduates with a Master of Science in Digital Marketing are qualified to work in an array of different positions, including:
- Online Advertising
- Social media marketing
- Copywriting
- Internet Marketing
- Marketing strategy
- Project and marketing management
- Public relations
- Web development jobs
These jobs are available in a broad range of industries, such as business development, consulting, news and entertainment, retail, pharmaceuticals, travel and tourism, and fashion.
Certifications And Licenses For Master’s In Digital Marketing Graduates
Graduates with a degree in digital marketing can obtain certificates in various areas. They can choose to specialize in one or more of these areas and then enroll in a certification program. This can be done by enrolling at a college or university that offers certification programs or through a company that offers them. For instance, the Insights Association is an organization that was formed through a merger of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations and the Marketing Research Association. Insights Association offers its own certification program for professional researchers and analysts.
Some of the most sought-after digital marketing certifications include:
- Reliable soft Digital Marketing Certification: This is a great certification for graduates that are new to the field of digital marketing.
- Google Digital Marketing Certification: This is the best free digital marketing certification program and it is accredited by Google. Google Digital Marketing and eCommerce is another great certification program that is certified by Google.
- Coursera Digital Marketing Specialization: This certificate can be done online through different universities.
- Meta Digital Marketing Certifications: This certification program offers seven different areas.
Harvard Digital Marketing Strategy Program: This is a good certification program for those graduates who are interested in working as marketing managers or team leaders.
What Is The Admissions Process For A Masters In Online Digital Marketing?
Students who enroll in a online digital marketing degree program must meet several requirements to be admitted into the program. Most master’s degrees in digital marketing programs require that students already have a bachelor’s degree. Some programs may even require candidates to have completed undergraduate courses or business-related courses before they can apply for entrance into a master’s degree program.
There are many other technical requirements that students must meet, such as completing the application process for the university or college they choose. Many universities and colleges now allow students to apply for the program online.
Applicants must also submit GRE and GMAT results for consideration at some schools. Not all colleges and universities require these two test scores, but some do. Students should inquire about this ahead of time.
Most college applications require that students include letters of recommendation. Schools normally want two or three from each applicant’s former employers or teachers. These letters of recommendation help provide insight into each student’s work ethic, capabilities, and preparation.
Some colleges and universities require students to submit a college application resume as part of the admissions process. The resume will provide more information about the applicant and will highlight all of their professional skills.
Most colleges and universities require that a grad school student applicant submit an essay. The essay should include the student’s research that they have completed on their own and their career interests for the future.
Is College Accreditation Important?
It is important that students entering into a master’s degree in digital marketing program enroll at a college or university that is accredited. The accreditation status of a college or university should be one of the most important considerations for prospective students to make. Colleges and universities in the United States receive their accreditation from agencies such as the Higher Learning Commission and the United States Department of Education.
The accreditation process includes an extensive review of each college or university’s educational programs and its student services. A school’s accreditation status impacts the transferability of course credits. It can also affect each student’s ability to be able to apply for federal financial aid.
Financing Your Master’s Program
There are many ways that students can finance a master’s degree in digital marketing program. First of all, students should start with money that they don’t have to pay back and that does not come directly out of their pockets. Some of these options include:
- Federal Student Aid: This type of financial assistance can include the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), state grants, and other grant programs. Students are able to obtain aid if they qualify. Some of the qualifications include their family size, location, and income level.
- Federal Student Loans: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Scholarships: many colleges and universities offer scholarship programs that may be based on need or merit.
- Graduate Fellowship or Assistant Programs: some students may qualify to enter into fellowship or assistant programs for their master’s degree. This means they will help teach undergraduate classes in exchange for all or part of their tuition.
- Private Graduate School Loans: also apply for private loans that are specifically for graduate schools and have a lower interest rate.
Do I Need To Take The GRE To Enroll In An Online Master’s In Digital Marketing Program?
The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is a very important step in the application process for students to be admitted into many different master’s degree programs. These programs can include an online master’s degree in digital marketing. Not all colleges and universities require GRE test scores for students to be admitted to the program. If a student needs to take the GRE test, there are ways they can prepare for it ahead of time. It is a multiple-choice test that is computer-based. It measures each student’s verbal reasoning as well as their critical thinking and analytic writing skills and quantitative reasoning skills.
The section on verbal reasoning helps to measure a student’s ability to analyze and draw conclusions from various different data. It measures their ability to distinguish major from minor or irrelevant points and to understand the meaning of individual words, sentences, and entire paragraphs.
Quantitative reasoning measures students’ abilities to interpret, understand, and analyze quantitative information. This can include solving math problems and applying basic skills when it comes to arithmetic, geometry, data analysis, and algebra.
The analytic writing section of the GRE is designed to measure a student’s ability to articulate very complex ideas effectively. It can show that a student can support their ideas with relevant examples and reasons. It measures how well a student can stay focused and maintain a coherent discussion about a variety of topics.
How Much Is A Master’s In Digital Marketing?
While costs can vary from university to university or college to college, most online digital marketing master’s degree programs range from around $460 to $900 per credit hour. This means that students should expect to pay between $14,000 and $32,000 in tuition by the end of their program.
The cost of a digital marketing degree program depends on a variety of different factors. It will depend on which state students live in and where they are applying to school at. It will also matter if the school charges flat tuition for online students, regardless of where they reside.
How Long Does It Take To Get An Online Master’s In Digital Marketing?
An online master’s degree in digital marketing program encompasses a lot of different areas. Students will need to learn how to market for various companies and agencies through the use of websites, social media, mobile devices, and a variety of other digital platforms to be able to promote their client service or product. Students will need to learn how to conduct search engine optimization and we’ll need to learn social media and web analytic strategies. Graduates will be prepared to enter into a variety of different careers, such as digital strategists to chief marketing officers. Graduates can even open their own agency if they prefer.
An online digital marketing master’s degree program provides plenty of flexibility for students who also work full or part-time jobs or who are raising a family. Online degree programs are web-based programs that follow the same rigorous curriculum as their brick-and-mortar counterparts, but graduates are able to work at their own pace and on their own time. This is due to the fact that online courses are normally available for students to access, day or night, seven days a week.
A digital marketing master’s degree online program usually requires students to complete 30 to 36 credits. This means the program length for most students is between 15 months to two years. Online students who can work at their own pace and who are able to work ahead of some of their classmates, can graduate in as little as one year.
Is Digital Marketing A Difficult Career?
Digital marketing careers do have a certain amount of stress associated with them but, for the most part, they are not that difficult.
Digital marketers do not need to know how to code or use special software. They do need, however, to learn about patterns, marketing trends, services, products, and other relevant materials. Coding skills can be helpful but not necessary.
Digital marketers can work as freelancers and be their own bosses right away. There are many websites that hire digital marketers in many postings of companies needing digital marketers that graduates can apply for.
Digital marketers are able to work solely from their laptops and phones. This means they can work remotely and will not have to report to an office every day. Digital marketers can communicate with clients and customers through e-mail or phone calls.
Digital marketers will have to build their own client base if they decide to freelance. For graduates there will already be customers in place that they will deal with on a daily basis.
Digital marketers may end up with a few bad reviews which can hurt their careers. This means that digital marketers need to work very hard to ensure customer satisfaction.
For freelancers who want to advertise their digital marketing business, it can cost some upfront money. Advertising is not cheap and that will be the best way for them to bring in more clients.
Is It Hard To Get A Job In Digital Marketing?
It is not difficult for digital marketers to find a job in their field. This is because digital marketing skills are currently ranked among the top trending job skills in the United States, per recent data by Google Trends through Preply. Other top trending skills in the United States include visualization and data management, as well as data science.
There has been a 35 percent increase in interest for job candidates who have knowledge of digital marketing, including knowledge of Google ads and search engine optimization. Search engine optimization skills are in high demand because they allow companies to attract the right people to their products, services, websites, and e-mail lists.
Digital marketers need to be well-versed in the foremost sought-after skill sets. These include data management, accounting, design, and coding. It is also helpful if digital marketers have skills in the following areas:
- Graphic design
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Web design
- Customer relationship management software
- Editing
- Search engine optimization
- Video design and editing
- Blockchain technology
- UX design
1. Arizona State University
Arizona State University’s Master of Science in digital audience strategy program is created to support students who want to embark on careers in communications and marketing. Students will learn through first-hand experience and coursework while having the opportunity to create their own powerful strategies in the digital marketing field. Students will learn everything they need to about search engine optimization, insightful audience research, and social media campaigns. This program is structured to provide students with the experience, skills, and knowledge to be able to design and carry out large-scale initiatives for companies. This will help attract customers and to grow and engage an online following for these companies.
2. Emerson College
Emerson College offers an Online Master of Arts in Marketing for students who strive to become creative forces in the modern marketing field. The program requires students to already have a bachelor’s degree in digital marketing or a related field. Since the program is offered fully online, students can graduate in at least 15 months with their master’s degree in digital marketing. The school does not require students to undergo GMAT or GRE testing. Students can choose from certain specializations for their master’s degree program. Those include a Digital Marketing Certificate, Content Strategy Certificate, Marketing Analytics Certificate, or Social Media and Digital Public Relations Certificate.
3. Rutgers
Digital marketing skills are some of the most sought-after skills currently for employers. The Rutgers Business School’s Master of Science in Digital Marketing program offers students the opportunity to earn their master’s degree in digital marketing fully online. The program is accredited and has been created to address the growing need for a larger pool of digital marketing experts. The program requires students to complete 30 credit hours of instruction that is delivered by industry experts and scholars with years of experience in the digital marketing field. Students can earn their Master of Science in digital marketing degrees in as little as nine months.
4. USC Annenberg
The Master of Science degree in Digital Media Management at USC Annenberg requires students to complete 24 units of coursework. Students can complete their coursework during the fall, spring, and summer semesters at the college. Students can complete the program fully online in one or two years.
The curriculum for the master of science degree in digital media management was created by leaders in the digital marketing industry along with academic experts. The creators of the program are at the forefront of the digital media world that shapes the direction of the field on a daily basis. Students have the flexibility to complete their degree fully online, which means they can work at their own pace and graduate sooner than expected.
5. Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University has been one of the top-ranked universities in the United States or more than 25 years. The school’s master’s degree in digital marketing program will give students the latest techniques and tools that they need to move their careers forward. Students will learn from industry experts and thought leaders in the field of digital marketing. The online degree program offers affordable tuition and plenty of flexibility. Students will be able to achieve a good work and life balance, along with their schoolwork, since they can complete 100 percent of their courses fully online.
Is a Master’s in digital marketing Worth It?
Earning a master’s degree in digital marketing is definitely worth it. The greatest advantage of having this type of degree is that currently, many managers who do the hiring at companies do not know much about how digital marketing works. This means that job seekers that hold a master’s degree in this field will have the edge over other job candidates. A recent LinkedIn survey found that some of the skills that employers are looking for in today’s world are all related to digital technology. This means that graduates may end up with multiple job offers.
Digital marketing students will learn the latest technologies and innovations when it comes to marketing, business intelligence, data science, AI, and marketing research. These skills and knowledge are necessary for students to secure a variety of positions. Some of these positions include market research analysts, brand managers, promotion managers, or marketing managers.
Is An Online Master’s in Digital Marketing Difficult?
Digital marketing is definitely not for everyone. It’s not the easiest career, but it’s not the most difficult one either. Many people who graduate with a master’s degree in digital marketing start their own companies and become their own bosses. This means they can work from home and from wherever they want, whenever they want. This all adds up to a very nice and lucrative career.
Digital marketing refers to the marketing and advertising efforts of a company or organization that relies on digital technologies. This means that students in a digital marketing degree program need to learn the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct successful social networking and to be able to target ads for specific customers in specific forums. Students need to learn search engine optimization, e-mail marketing, social media marketing, and affiliate marketing, as well as display advertising. By learning these skills efficiently, graduates with a master’s degree in digital marketing can bring in new customers for companies, raise their brand awareness, increase their web traffic, and ultimately help each company or organization achieve its marketing goals.
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