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Methodology – A custom mathematical formula that is based on the following factors – Accreditation, Affordability, Graduation rates, Courses availability throughout the year, curriculum details and other factors. All baked into a formula to determine the rankings.

Methodology – A custom mathematical formula that is based on the following factors – accreditation, affordability, graduation rates, availability of courses throughout the year, curriculum details, and other factors – all baked into a formula to determine the rankings of a digital marketing master’s degree.

It’s not uncommon for a digital marketing online program at one institution to look slightly different than an online digital marketing program at a different institution. Courses in these programs can span diverse topics, from search engine optimization to marketing management. Online learning of digital marketing consists of several concentrations and comes in different formats as well. Students should therefore understand which version of the online master’s in digital marketing may be the best fit for their goals.

Concentrations for Online Master’s in Digital Marketing Programs

A master’s in digital marketing often offers students the opportunity to gear their coursework towards a specific digital marketing concentration, sub-specialization, or emphasis, that allows students to fine-tune their schooling to match their long-term goals. Below are a few popular specializations that fall under an online master’s in digital marketing, along with career outcomes that align with these specializations.

The curriculum of an Online Master’s in Digital Marketing Program

Digital marketing is a vast subject that covers a diverse range of topics. Curricula usually include some business core courses, along with digital marketing-related courses. Here are some common topics found in an online digital marketing degree:

• Mobile Marketing Strategy
• Search Engine Optimization
• Digital Marketing Strategies
• Search Engine Marketing
• Marketing Strategy & Operations Management
• Consumer Behavior
• Strategic Communication Campaigns
• Supply Chain Management
• Social Media Marketing Communications
• Strategic Marketing Management
• Web Analytics
• Online Marketing
• Brand Strategy
• Communication Strategies & Digital Storytelling
• Digital Brand Management
• Marketing Automation
• Marketing Concepts in the Digital Age
• Digital Channels in the Marketing Industry
• Digital Customer Experience Management
• Business Strategy & Digital Business Innovation
• Strategic Electronic Marketing

MS or MBA in Digital Marketing Programs: Which One is Right for You?

Another aspect to take into consideration when looking into an online master’s in digital marketing is the degree’s structure. The most common formats of digital marketing online programs are a Master of Science (MS) typically offered by advance collegiate schools, or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) that is typically offered by a business school. A prospective digital marketing student must always understand and find a program that best suits their professional goals because each program is designed for a different purpose. Trusted partner programs in digital marketing designed to cater to specific specializations are also good to consider.

Digital marketing degree programs have different admission requirements that vary by advance collegiate schools. In general, an online master requires incoming digital marketing students to have earned an undergraduate degree. Other prerequisites may also need to be fulfilled before applying for an online master’s in digital marketing. Here are a few common admissions criteria to apply for a digital marketing master’s degree:

• Grade Point Average (GPA)
  The overall GPA necessary for application into an online master’s in digital marketing depends on the school. Two common GPA benchmarks seen as criteria for grad school admissions are either 2.75 or 3.0. However, some schools/programs do permit students to use the GPA from their most recent 60 college credits instead of their overall GPA, allowing students to be judged as the students they have become rather than the students they were when they first started college.
• A Bachelor’s Degree from a Regionally Accredited School
  Holding a bachelor’s degree is required to apply to a graduate-level program, but there may also be stipulations on the type of school this bachelor’s degree comes from. Accreditation typically splits between regional and national. Nationally accredited schools are typically tech, art, music, or fashion institutes, so a student would need to hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school; these are any of the major universities that can be found within the state. More information on accreditation is available in the Accreditation Guide.
• Pre-Admissions Testing
  Many programs will require students to complete one or more tests before being able to apply. The two most common tests students may come across when looking into grad school will be the GRE and the GMAT, so students should be sure to get these tests scheduled on time.
• Background in a Business/Marketing-Related Field
  As mentioned before, finishing a bachelor’s degree is required before students can apply to grad school. However, some programs may specifically require students to have a background in a business or marketing-related field. This could mean business majors, communications majors, journalism majors. Some programs may even accept minors in these subjects.
• Letters of Recommendation
  Students may be required to submit up to three letters of recommendation with their grad school application. Letters of recommendation should typically come from professors who taught the student in a subject that is in some way related to the master’s degree they are applying to.
• Additional Requirements
  Some schools may ask the student to also submit a professional resume, personal statement, and/or statement of purpose. International students are usually required to submit their TOEFL scores as part of their application.

Some other common roles, responsibilities, and work settings for graduates of digital marketing programs include:

• Digital Marketing Strategy
• Digital Marketing Analytics
• Operations Management
• International Marketing
• Social Media Marketing Content Creation
• Online Marketing
• Search Engine Marketing
• Mobile Marketing
• Consumer Behavior & Dynamics
• Marketing Promotions
• Digital Storytelling
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Strategic Internet Marketing
• Search Engine Optimization

Adding a digital marketing master’s degree to a resume can add a lot of value for one’s career, and graduates can likely further leverage those skills by joining a marketing management organization with other professionals. Networking with other professionals within the same industry can provide individuals with job opportunities, up-to-date information for this fast-changing field, and accelerate their learning curve in digital marketing. Here are a few resources for students and professionals of an online master’s in digital marketing to explore:

1. American Marketing Organization (AMA): AMA is an organization for marketing managers, not specifically for digital marketers but for all marketing professionals that include digital marketers. AMS members are 30,000 plus, intending to help marketing managers, and has many local chapters that members can use for networking opportunities.
2. Digital Analytics Association (DAA): DAA is an association for digital marketers that was formed to use data and analytics in the marketing field. It was founded in 2004 and offers certifications that will add value to digital marketing careers.
3. Internet Marketing Association (IMA): IMA is a professional organization for digital marketing professionals with the primary goal of setting up standards for internet-based marketing. It was established in 2001, and the association provides a platform for professionals to connect and share knowledge.
4. Social Media Marketing Association (SMANA): SMANA is an organization that is focused on the social media aspect of digital marketing. Their goal is to improve a citizen’s behavior for the overall social good. SMANA was established in 2016 and promotes positive behavior, especially in social media.