<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-digital-strategy-online/">Masters in Digital Strategy Online </a>

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 University of Florida Tigert Hall, Gainesville, Florida 32611	$10,770	89%
#2 University of Delaware 104 Hullihen Hall, Newark, Delaware 19716	$17,100	82%
#3 University of Oklahoma 660 Parrington Oval, Norman, Oklahoma 73019	$8,034	72%
#4 The University of Tennessee 527 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996	$11,468	71%
#5 American University 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20016	$37,447	79%
#6 Rutgers University 249 University Avenue, Blumenthal Hall, Newark, New Jersey 07102	$18,168	65%
#7 Saint Edward’s University 3001 S Congress Ave, Austin, Texas 78704	$28,980	67%
#8 Queens University of Charlotte 1900 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, North Carolina 28274	$13,552	57%
#9 Point Park University 201 Wood St, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222	$15,858	55%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

The online master in digital strategy is a 30 to 40 credit hours program that teaches students how to create compelling works for any digital channel from websites and email marketing to social media. The program equips students with the skills needed to create, analyze and optimize social media content and campaigns. Students will learn how to develop social media strategies and measure the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns. A capstone project is often a part of the program, apart from compulsory core courses and optional elective courses. 

Some of the digital strategy courses include but are not limited to: 

• Brand Strategy 
• Digital Audience Research and Behavior 
• Web Analytics 
• Communication Strategies & Digital Storytelling 
• Search Engine Strategy for Digital Audience Acquisition 
• Copywriting for Digital Messaging 
• Inbound Strategy 
• Strategic Electronic Marketing 
• Lead Generation and Management 
• Marketing Automation 
• Digital Customer Experience Management 
• Digital Audience Management 
• Marketing Concepts in the Digital Age 
• Media Entrepreneurship 
• Strategic Communication Campaigns 
• Search Engine Optimization 
• Search Engine Marketing 
• Defining the Digital Audience 
• Strategic Marketing Management 
• Social Media Marketing Communications 
• Mass Communication Theory 
• Digital Brand Management 
• Search & Display Advertising 
• UX Theory and Research 
• Digital Channels in the Marketing Industry 
• Digital Marketing Strategies 
• Social Media Advertising 
• Digital Audience Analytics 
• Consumer Behavior 
• Marketing Strategy & Operations Management 
• Business Strategy & Digital Business Innovation 
• Social Media Campaigns and Engagement 
• Online Marketing 
• Mobile Marketing Strategy 
• Media Law 

Types of Masters in Digital Strategy Degrees

A master’s in digital strategy is a focus area or concentration of broader master’s degree programs. For example, prospective students can choose from an online Master of Arts in Mass Communication with a concentration in Digital Strategy, such as the one offered by the University of Florida, to an online Master of Science in Information and Communications Technology with a concentration in Digital Strategy.  

In most cases, students will have to pick between a multidisciplinary Master of Arts (MA) degree that emphasizes liberal arts and humanities or a more scientific and technically oriented Master of Science (MS) degree. 

Areas of Specialization for Online Masters in Digital Strategy

Being a specialist subject, digital strategy studies sometimes offer concentration courses, apart from regular coursework. Through these courses, students can select one professional discipline within a broader digital marketing sector and become experts in the competencies required to excel in that area. Some examples of concentration courses include but are not limited to: 

• Social Media Marketing Communications 
• Social Media Advertising 
• Digital Audience Research and Behavior 
• Search Engine Optimization 
• Search Engine Marketing 

Why should I do Online Masters in Digital Strategy?

Students who pursue an online master’s in digital strategy are more prepared to be innovative and effective in the digital age. They will learn how to write compelling copy for any digital channel, from websites to email marketing and social media, how to generate leads through creative and strategic messaging, how to develop meaningful branding that reaches and relates to customers, how to improve business outcomes through various digital tools, how to create practical and functional user experiences for websites, and much more in this program. 

With businesses depending heavily on the internet to reach out to new customers while retaining existing ones, the demand for digital strategists is ever increasing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers earn a median annual wage of $141,490, with a 10% increase in jobs from 2020 to 2030 (as fast as average). 

The online master in digital strategy equips students with a plethora of abilities. Some of them include the ability to: 

• Tell a brand’s story, use good copywriting. 
• Measure the success of communications by analyzing data. 
• Recognize and use the most effective SEO tools and techniques. 
• Identify and target potential new clients. 
• Plan for a successful Return on Investment. 
• Make use of tools for performance marketing. 
• Use social media to generate new business opportunities. 
• Define, quantify, and Measure marketing KPIs, and communicate them.

How to get into the Online Masters in Digital Strategy program?

The process of enrolling in an online master’s degree program in digital strategy is typically straightforward. The first step is choosing digital strategy as a concentration while enrolling for a broader master’s degree program, such as design, communications, or computer technology. Most colleges and universities require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Here are some of the main admissions requirements for a master’s in digital strategy online degree program: 

• Application for Admission 
• Application Fee 
• Official Academic Transcripts 
• An Undergraduate Degree in Marketing or Other Discipline 
• Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.8 on a scale of 4.0 
• Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose 
• At least 2 Letters of Recommendation 
• Graduate Resume 
• At least 2 writing samples or professional work samples that reflect the applicant’s experience. 

Note: Most colleges do not require incoming students to submit Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Scores. However, students are advised to check with the admissions office of their chosen college for exact and specific admission requirements, as they vary by college and program.

How long does it take to complete the Online Masters in Digital Strategy?

Since digital strategy will be a specialization of the chosen master’s, the time required to complete digital strategy coursework is mainly determined by that master’s program’s length of study. Full-time study for a master’s degree typically takes about 2 years. Part-timers, on the other hand, will require more time to complete their degrees. For example, a master’s degree in communications with a concentration in digital strategy can be finished in 12 to 18 months, depending on several criteria. To graduate, students will need to take between 30 and 40 credits. 

Accreditation for Online Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Strategy

Accreditation is the process of a third-party entity confirming that a school or degree program fulfills and/or exceeds the predefined quality and rigor standards. Although college accreditation is voluntary, it has numerous advantages, one of which is that it confirms a curriculum for employers and other colleges and institutions. Accreditation also ensures that students can easily and quickly transfer credits from one accredited institution to another while still qualifying for federal financial aid. The U.S Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) have approved six regional accrediting agencies to accredit colleges. They are: 

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) 

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) 

Higher Learning Commission (HLC) 

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) 

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) 

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) 

Students can visit the official U.S Department of Education website or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website to check a school’s accreditation status. 

More information on accreditation is available in the Accreditation Guide. 

Scholarships are the best option to pay for college because they do not require repayment. Furthermore, not having to worry about paying for college is a huge relief for anyone who receives a scholarship. Scholarships for digital strategy students are available from a variety of sources. The following are a few examples:

Scholarship	Custom Creatives Digital Marketing Scholarship
Description	The Custom Creatives Digital Marketing Scholarship supports the future generation of students interested in all facets of the Digital Marketing profession by awarding individuals with a passion for the field.
Amount/Award	$1,000 x 2 Scholarships
Deadline	May 31, 2021

Scholarship	Marketing EDGE Scholarship
Description	The Marketing EDGE Scholarship is given to students who have shown a strong aptitude in academics as well as a genuine desire to pursue a career in marketing. Additional considerations include coursework, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and internships.
Amount/Award	$2,000 to $5,000
Deadline	TBA

Scholarship	Inclusion In Digital Marketing Scholarship
Description	Inclusion in Digital Marketing Scholarship is given out annually to a student studying marketing-related subjects such as web development or design, communications, user experience, pay-per-click (PPC), search engine optimization (SEO), and other STEM fields.
Amount/Award	$3,500
Deadline	July 30, every year

Free online courses do not lead to a master’s degree. But they may be extremely beneficial to students in their daily studies, assignments, exams, and capstone projects. Many of the free courses available on the internet are authored or provided by some of the world’s most prestigious universities and can provide students with information and insights not available in the classroom or in a textbook. For students pursuing a master’s degree in digital strategy, here are some sites that offer free courses: 

Course	Topics on Digital Strategy
Offered by	Coursera
Description	Coursera is a popular site that offers courses, projects, specializations, professional certificates, and more. Some courses the site offers include Digital Strategy and Business Opportunity, Digital Leadership and Digital Strategy Execution, Digital Channel Planning and E-Commerce Strategy, and more.

Course	Topics on Digital Strategy
Offered by	Udemy
Description	Udemy has a massive collection of over 1,000 free digital strategy-related courses! These courses appeal to a variety of learning levels, from beginners to experts, and cover nearly every aspect of digital marketing, digital media, and digital strategy.

Course	Topics on Digital Strategy
Offered by	EdX
Description	EdX has a wide section of digital strategy courses. Topics include Digital Transformation Strategy, Digital Commerce Reinventing Business Models, Digital Marketing Strategy, Platform Strategy for Business, Leading Digital and Data Decision Making, etc.

The master’s degree program in digital strategy focuses on in-demand skills and competencies. Graduates of this program have a broad understanding of how to communicate with audiences through digital platforms and social media and can therefore explore career opportunities with both public and private sector organizations. They can find leading roles from increasing sales and soliciting donations to gaining political support, among other things. There is a massive demand for qualified persons who understand how to reach huge online audiences through digital strategy. The following are some of the job titles and roles graduates of an online master’s in digital strategy can come across in the industry: 

• Marketing Director 
• Online Advertising Director 
• Marketing Analyst 
• Online Marketing Director 
• App Developer 
• Journalist 
• Digital Marketing Director 
• Marketing Strategist 
• UX Strategist 
• Communications Manager 
• Chief Marketing Officer 
• Public Relations Supervisor 
• Social Media Strategist 
• Digital Content Creator 
• Content Strategist 
• SEO Manager 
• Production Manager 

With Advertising, Promotion, and Marketing (Manager) jobs set to rise by 10% between 2020 and 2030, digital strategy graduates can easily advance their careers as they accumulate years of experience. Because companies pay hugely varying salaries for similar job titles, there is insufficient statistical data to assess what a digital strategist could earn. Nevertheless, one can rest assured that so long as the digital world is evolving, which it is, there will always be a demand for those who understand digital strategy, its importance, and its use.

Digital strategy is an interesting profession with skilled individuals who work tirelessly to stay ahead of the pack. Digital agency and company hiring managers are constantly looking for applicants who are up to date on the newest trends, techniques, and news in the digital world. Having a certification will help graduates be up to date with the trends and tools used by the leading digital marketing agencies and give them a leg up in their careers. Here are a few certifications for digital strategy students and working professionals (note: these certifications are primarily for digital marketing but apply to digital strategy as well):

1. Digital Marketing Pro Certification The American Marketing Association (AMA) and Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) have partnered to provide the Digital Marketing Pro program, through which candidates can become dually certified with the AMA and DMI with two credentials: PCM® Digital Marketing and Certified Digital Marketing Professional. 
2. Hootsuite Social Marketing Professional In the social marketing sector, the Hootsuite Social Marketing Professional certification is a well-recognized credential that demonstrates knowledge of the fundamentals of social marketing to clients and employers. Individuals who pass the certification exam will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the fundamental principles of social media marketing. 
3. OMCP Digital Marketing Certification The Online Marketing Certified Professionals (OMCP) digital marketing credential is awarded to professionals who have demonstrated mastery of digital marketing best practices across a variety of digital marketing disciplines, have undergone extensive training, and have completed a rigorous examination process. 
4. HubSpot Academy Certifications The HubSpot Academy offers several professional certifications in the digital strategy space. Credentials awarded are recognized industry-wide and endorse the candidate’s knowledge and skills in the chosen subject. Some of the certifications at HubSpot are in:
   • Inbound Sales 
   • Content Marketing 
   • Social Media Marketing 
   • Digital Advertising 
   • Digital Marketing 
   • Frictionless Sales 
   • Search Engine Optimization 
   • Contextual Marketing 
   • Content Marketing

Digital strategy can be a difficult subject to grasp. New trends and ideas are sprouting all the time, and each situation one encounters may necessitate a different approach to tackle. Therefore, it is always good to tap into useful resources that can increase one’s knowledge and assist in taking on real-world challenges. Below is a selection of digital strategy resources, including a variety of tools and instructional materials, to assist students and professionals in getting to grips with this challenging and dynamic subject and help in gaining clarity and direction: 

1. The 37 Digital Marketing KPIs Guide Scoro, a company that provides end-to-end work management software, has a complete guide to 37 popular marketing KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that every company should monitor. Marketers utilize marketing KPIs to measure success across all marketing channels, and companies of all sizes use digital marketing KPIs to track their marketing results. 
2. Hotjar Hotjar is an easy-to-use, visual tool for discovering, aggregating and communicating user needs. It analyzes visitor behavior to generate heat maps of where they click or move the cursor the most on one’s website pages. It also offers detailed behavioral reporting and can deliver interactive feedback surveys to users to determine what they think of the website. The site also provides complete guides to heatmaps, behavior analytics, product experience insights, etc. 
3. Google Analytics Google Analytics is a free online analytics tool that informs users what is going on with their site in real-time. This nifty tool shows how users arrive at their site, how they got there, and where they are heading. They will also have a decent notion of which visitors are doing the things they want them to accomplish if they set up goals. These kinds of insights are the backbone of a well-informed digital strategy. 
4. Git Git is a free and open-source distributed version management system that can handle small to large projects with ease. It’s easy to use and comprehend, with a minimal footprint and lightning-fast speed. It beats most other SCM solutions with features like low-cost local branching, convenient staging spaces, and many processes. 
5. Mention Mention is a web tool that allows the review of all online references of a business and associated keywords in one location, including mentions in articles, video comments, and tweets. Mention provides a sense of the amount and content of online debate about a brand, which can help improve brand strategy. It actively participates in the tactical side of one’s digital activity, allowing brand reps to deal with bad comments as they arise.