Digital strategy focuses on leveraging technology to improve corporate performance, whether through the development of new products or the redesigning of existing processes. It lays out an organization’s strategy for leveraging technology to gain further competitive advantages, as well as various strategies it will employ to make these changes. This frequently entails changes to business models, as new technology allows inventive businesses to provide services that were previously unavailable. Digital strategy encompasses everything from online ad buying to inbound marketing. It is about generating effective messaging to achieve increased conversions and establish loyal consumers. Digital Strategy is sometimes termed and interchangeable with Digital Marketing or Online Marketing.
An online master’s program in digital strategy teaches students how to acquire, use, and evaluate data and information to address organizational issues. Students will gain skills that they can use right away, widening their horizons and developing a mindset of adaptability in the ever-changing digital landscape. Armed with this degree, graduates can go on to work in diverse settings like digital marketing, SEO, business strategy, international marketing, consumer behavior, and mobile marketing, among others.
Digital strategy is a master’s concentration and is almost never offered as a whole, independent graduate degree. This guide provides detailed information on what this concentration is all about, how to enroll in a program, career options available, ways of funding, and much more.
An online master’s degree (or rather concentration) in digital strategy is offered by only a few universities in the United States. As a result, selecting the best college that can offer a well-rounded, well-recognized, and well-valued program is crucial. The top master’s in digital strategy programs should have, among other things, good infrastructure, well-trained, competent, and experienced teaching personnel, a diverse range of student support services, accreditation, and career aid. Based on these and other important aspects, here are the best online masters in digital strategy degree programs in the country:
<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-digital-strategy-online/">Masters in Digital Strategy Online </a>
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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:
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.
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:
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:
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:
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.
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 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.
It is becoming increasingly expensive to earn a master’s degree in the U.S. Because most graduate programs cost well into tens of thousands of dollars, many students are left wondering how they will pay for their education. Fortunately, graduate students have access to many financial aid programs. But to be eligible for financial help, applicants must meet all of the conditions set forth by the donor, sponsor, or lender. Financing assistance is available from the following sources, among others, for students pursuing an online master’s degree in digital strategy:
A scholarship is a financial award provided to deserving students based on their academic achievement or ability to meet the requirements of the scholarship sponsor. Besides or in addition to academic excellence, scholarships can be awarded based on various factors such as one’s socioeconomic status, gender, volunteer work and social involvement, religious affiliation, sporting achievements, career path, specific subjects or degrees, and/or financial necessity. (To prevent being defrauded online, read about Scholarship Scams.)
Grants are financial assistance to deserving students that do not need to be repaid. Governments, foundations, trusts, and corporations routinely offer people who demonstrate financial need. Because grants are considered free help or “gifts” that do not need to be repaid, they are among the most common college funding choices.
Student loans can be a viable alternative for covering the costs of a college education. There are a variety of funding options available, including federal loans, bank loans, group loans, and trust loans. Instead of paying back a lump sum amount, students who take out student loans must make regular monthly payments to the lender, according to a provided schedule. While they may assist in covering school expenses, loans can also raise the amount of debt owed by students.
Graduate students can financially benefit from working as graduate teaching assistants. They take classes and simultaneously pursue their studies in a specialized academic subject. They also assist professors in various educational activities. Graduate teaching assistants receive a stipend or a discount on their tuition for their work.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a standardized form that applicants can fill in and submit to assess whether or not they are eligible for financial aid. More FAFSA-related information is available here.
More information on various funding options is available in the best Financial 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. |
Whether it’s through the development of new products or restructuring existing processes, digital strategy focuses on harnessing technology to improve business performance. It outlines a company’s plan for utilizing technology to obtain unique competitive advantages and its tactics to achieve these goals. As new technology allows imaginative businesses to deliver previously unavailable services, this frequently necessitates modifications to business models through effective digital strategy implementation.
Digital strategy is a specialization that can be pursued as part of a master’s degree program in computer science or communications, etc. It is difficult to find an independent online master’s degree in digital strategy. Regardless of which degree or combination of degree and concentration one chooses, most universities will have the option of programs delivered entirely online.
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:
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):
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:
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