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Digital marketing is a powerful tool that connects consumers with their favorite brands. Every industry relies on digital marketing tools, like social media and email campaigns, to communicate directly with consumers and drive business growth. As more businesses digitize, they rely on digital marketing professionals to help develop a strong online brand presence.
Earning a digital marketing certificate online offers a streamlined pathway to acquiring in-demand and job-ready skills quicker than a traditional degree program. Certificate programs are suitable for beginners eager to break into a digital marketing career or working professionals who want to specialize or keep pace with emerging trends.
This article ranks the 10 schools that met our criteria. We highlight noteworthy considerations, including cost, time commitment, credit requirements and job possibilities.
Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics, education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.
We ranked 10 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online digital marketing undergraduate certificates in the U.S. using 12 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes and student experience. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites. Data is accurate as of February 2024.
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At Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, you can earn a certificate in digital marketing online. This program is designed for undergraduates and graduates seeking to enhance their degree of study or earn a standalone certificate.
Throughout this certificate program, learners explore strategies for designing and executing marketing initiatives across various platforms and using analytics to improve outcomes. Coursework includes digital marketing principles, social media and email marketing, analytics search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM), and viral and organic growth.
Students learn to use industry tools, including Google Analytics, Google Adwords and Facebook Business Manager. Upon successful completion of this certificate program, learners also earn professional certification through Google and Hupspot when completing this certificate program.
University of California – Irvine offers an online digital marketing and communications certificate designed for marketing, product management and communications professionals. The curriculum offers a foundational overview of launching and managing digital marketing campaigns across different platforms, making it suitable for beginners eager to enter this field.
Coursework includes dynamic product management, marketing performance optimization, marketing research and strategy planning. Throughout this program, learners hone their writing, research, design and analytic skills to drive business decisions and lead strategic marketing planning.
At the American Women’s College of Bay Path University , learners can pursue a fully online certificate in digital marketing management. This program is suitable for professionals looking to upskill, those seeking to pivot into marketing or students who want to enhance their degree of study.
Students learn how to design and execute successful marketing campaigns, use digital media tools and applications, assess and manage online branding, and deliver optimized web experiences for prospective buyers.
The curriculum includes a capstone project where students develop a marketing campaign for a real business. This program is delivered asynchronously. Bay Path University is based in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
The University of Massachusetts – Lowell fully online digital marketing certificate equips learners with the latest strategies and practices. The curriculum covers social media, marketing analytics, web design, digital advertising, e-commerce and multichannel retailing. This four-course program includes digital marketing, social media marketing, electronic business and marketing analytics courses.
Credits earned during this certificate program can be applied to degree programs, including the Associate of Science in business administration and Bachelor of Science in business administration. This program is offered through UMass Lowell’s Manning School of Business, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
University of California – Los Angeles offers a digital marketing certificate for new and experienced marketing professionals. This comprehensive program equips learners with essential skills for optimizing the latest tools and trends to grow and maintain brands online. Some course offerings include SEO for marketing, advertising in the digital age and influencer marketing.
The curriculum includes case studies and projects to provide students with hands-on experience in developing strategic marketing plans, optimizing websites and content to drive traffic, integrating influencers into campaigns, identifying marketing trends and engaging with various platforms that comprise the current social media ecosystem.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, based in Valdosta, offers an online social media specialist technical certificate of credit. Through comprehensive coursework, participants learn to leverage social media for marketing objectives, craft engaging content and analyze performance metrics. The curriculum covers key areas such as computer and internet fundamentals, social media strategy development, target market selection and integrated marketing communications.
With a focus on industry-relevant tools, practical skills and real-world applications of digital marketing theory, learners graduate prepared to pursue diverse roles across this sector.
Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, Wisconsin offers an online professional communication in digital marketing certificate. Throughout this program, participants learn how to develop effective copy for marketing channels, create and deliver presentations, and explore media literacy.
The curriculum focuses on several aspects of business communication through courses such as copywriting for digital marketing, marketing presentation, technical reporting, written communication and speech. Learners hone their ability to communicate clearly and concisely in various contexts and for a variety of audiences.
At SUNY Broome Community College in Binghamton, New York, learners can pursue a social media certificate designed to prepare them for roles such as social media content creators, digital media specialists and social media managers. Throughout this program, students explore design, analysis, and social and digital media strategies. They also develop their adaptability to emerging technologies.
Course offerings include advanced digital media content, writing for the media, and Photoshop for mobile, web and print. Full- and part-time study enrollment options are available, and credits earned from this program can transfer to the A.A.S. in website development and management or A.A.S. in business information management.
Explore the intersection of social media and business in Western Dakota Technical College’s social media certificate program. Throughout this program, learners explore social and interactive media marketing, search engine optimization, e-commerce, writing for social media and creating social media marketing campaigns.
Students learn how to meet the needs of businesses that want to reach customers through popular platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Course offerings include search engine marketing and digital image design for business.
Students can complete the program fully online or in a hybrid format, with classes in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The University of Pennsylvania offers a flexible digital marketing certificate program designed for working professionals. This program includes four courses covering customer relationship management, influencing consumer behavior, digital marketing, e-commerce and social media fundamentals, and marketing analytics. Through interactive coursework, collaborative projects and case studies, learners gain in-demand skills in marketing analytics, omni-channel marketing, SEO, and social media strategy and analysis.
Enrolling in a digital marketing certificate program can be a time- and cost-effective option for learners seeking to acquire job-ready and specialized skills in a shorter time frame. These programs suit beginners seeking to enter the field, career switchers and digital marketing professionals looking to hone their craft.
Consider your learning style when researching prospective programs. Learners seeking a more structured learning experience with set class times and peer interaction might prioritize synchronous or hybrid programs. Those needing more flexibility might opt for asynchronous programs where they can study at their own pace.
Institutional accreditation is a voluntary process colleges and universities undergo to ensure they meet rigorous standards set by third-party organizations and certify the quality of their academic and organizational structures. A school’s program offerings, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, financial management and resources are factors in its accreditation status.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education maintain directories of approved accreditation agencies.
Programmatic accreditation assesses specific programs or departments within an educational institution, assessing whether a program meets established standards of quality and rigor in its respective field.
Digital marketing certificate programs are often housed within an accredited business school or program. Standard accrediting bodies for these colleges or departments include AACSB, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Digital marketing certificates have exploded in popularity in recent years. With so many options, it can be difficult to choose the right program. To make sure your investment pays off, establish your career goals and budget.
Before enrolling in an online digital marketing certificate program, consider your academic and professional goals and how they align with a program’s objectives. Certificate programs offer an accelerated alternative to traditional digital marketing degree programs and equip learners with in-demand and job-ready skills.
The scope and focus of each program vary. Some concentrate on areas such as social media, influencer marketing, email marketing and SEO, while others provide a more general and comprehensive overview of digital marketing fundamentals.
It’s important to consider your level of expertise. Some programs are designed for beginners with little to no experience, providing foundational knowledge and skills to kickstart their digital marketing careers. On the other hand, advanced programs cater to experienced professionals looking to specialize in an area of digital marketing.
Higher-ranking positions, such as digital marketing manager, often require a four-year degree. If you want to pursue a bachelor’s in marketing later on, look for certificates that offer transferable credit.
Certificate programs often provide a budget-friendly alternative to traditional degree programs. However, costs can vary significantly by program, length and whether the institution is public or private. Programs on our list ranged from about $1,940 to $6,300, averaging roughly $4,500.
A few financing options exist for learners seeking to enroll in a digital marketing certificate program. Unlike degree programs, not all certificates are eligible for financial aid. Consult the program’s website to confirm.
Some programs offer scholarships or grants based on academic merit, financial need or other criteria. Many schools offer payment plans, allowing students to spread the cost of their certificate program over multiple installments.
Additionally, some employers offer tuition reimbursement to support employees’ professional development.
Digital marketing certificates can enhance your work opportunities and even give you a competitive edge over some candidates; however, they aren’t a guaranteed ticket to employment. The desired qualifications for roles in this field vary from role to role, and employers often value applicants with formal training, as well as practical skills and experience.
A certificate in digital marketing can be useful depending on your learning interests and career goals. Certificate programs provide new and experienced marketing professionals with in-demand skills and knowledge of the latest digital marketing trends, tools and practices.
Digital marketing encompasses many platforms, tools and practices, which can be challenging to grasp initially. Like any field, it requires a dedication to learning and practice.
Mariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to brand strategies and driving small business growth through targeted content. In the last three years, she’s primarily produced education-focused content, writing on topics like degree programs, trade schools and career pathways.