Best Online Master’s in Digital Marketing Programs of 2022
An online master's in digital marketing can help you find new career and salary opportunities. Explore the top online programs in our 2022 ranking.
Published on April 15, 2022 · Updated on April 26, 2022
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To adapt to their consumer base, today's organizations need experienced marketers to help them build a strong online presence. Students who earn an online master's degree in digital marketing enter a growing field and develop pertinent skills that can help companies grow in this way.
This page explores highly ranked and accredited online digital marketing master's programs. Here, prospective students can also learn about degree requirements, common coursework, concentrations, admission processes, and potential marketing career paths.
An online master's in digital marketing yields access to in-demand, lucrative job opportunities. For instance, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projects a 13% increase in employment for web developers through 2028. This increase should create roughly 160,500 jobs.
Web developers typically work for organizations that provide computer system design services. An advanced degree can lead to project management roles. However, many professionals also build their own clientele and become self-employed.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2022 Best Accredited Online Master's in Digital Marketing Programs
Rankings compiled by the the BestColleges Ranking Team
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#1 Online College in New Hampshire
Southern New Hampshire University
School Information | |
---|---|
Location | Manchester, New Hampshire |
Admission Rate | 88% |
Graduation Rate | 44% |
Instituation Type | Private |
Accreditation |
Yes
|
Percent Online Enrollment |
94%
|
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $627
Out of State | $627
Credits to Graduate
36
Program Information
Program Accreditation | ACBSP
One of the country's largest distance education providers, SNHU offers a fully online master's in digital marketing. The program builds skills in audience engagement, brand management, and marketing plans. Candidates can choose from concentrations including new media and social media marketing.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree. The program admits students with or without a marketing background. Applicants do not need to submit GRE or GMAT scores.
#2 Online College in New Jersey
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
School Information | |
---|---|
Location | Teaneck, New Jersey |
Admission Rate | 92% |
Graduation Rate | 49% |
Instituation Type | Private |
Accreditation |
Yes
|
Percent Online Enrollment |
19%
|
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $925
Out of State | $925
Credits to Graduate
30
Program Information
Program Accreditation | AACSB
A private college in Teaneck, New Jersey, FDU hosts one of the state's top master's in digital marketing programs. Candidates study topics like web analytics, consumer behavior, and social media marketing. As part of the curriculum, students can also pursue certifications in Hootsuite and Google Analytics.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree in any field. Candidates must submit official undergraduate transcripts and a current resume. The digital marketing program does not require the GRE or GMAT.
#3 Online College in Illinois
Northern Illinois University
School Information | |
---|---|
Location | Dekalb, Illinois |
Admission Rate | 48% |
Graduation Rate | 49% |
Accreditation |
Yes
|
Percent Online Enrollment |
8%
|
100% Online
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $897
Out of State | $897
Credits to Graduate
30
Program Information
Program Accreditation | AACSB
A public school based in DeKalb, NIU offers a fully online master's in digital marketing for working professionals. The program builds broad business knowledge along with specialized digital marketing skills. Students explore topics including data visualization, email marketing, and marketing analytics.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a GPA that demonstrates strong academic achievement. Candidates with lower GPAs can also submit GMAT scores to show their preparation for graduate study.
Online Master's in Digital Marketing Program Overview
An online master's in digital marketing prepares students to identify and collect digital marketing insights that can help organizations make better business decisions and reach more clientele. In the program, students explore website and mobile design, search engine optimization (SEO), social media, online advertising, and marketing automation.
Program objectives include interpreting data to reach organizational goals, extracting pertinent information that persuades target market and key stakeholders, and developing strategies that maximize opportunities. Students also learn international marketing techniques and best practices to comply with varying political or legal environments.
While entry-level roles in digital marketing exist at the bachelor's level, earning an online master's degree provides a competitive advantage in the field, especially when accompanied by experience. This advanced degree can also lead to management and leadership roles.
Employers do not typically demand education beyond a master's degree. However, professionals entering academia do go on to earn a Ph.D.
Common Master's in Digital Marketing Degree Courses
In this course, students learn how to develop business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing strategies. Course objectives include identifying digital marketing needs, developing organizational digital marketing goals, and measuring digital marketing success to calculate an organization's return on investment. Final projects often include presentations or essays.
The best digital marketers understand how to plan, design, and implement search engine campaigns that lead to organic rankings and efficient paid rankings. This course builds upon digital marketing and design principles. Students learn how to collaborate with clients, identify needs, and develop programs that fit within assigned budgets.
This course teaches students how to design, execute, and measure multichannel marketing initiatives for business-to-business and business-to-consumer brands. Course outcomes include understanding the process of multichannel marketing and understanding integrated components of managing customer relationships.
Digital marketers must know how to convert and optimize their outreach. This course explores fundamental principles, functions and techniques of web analytics, conversion strategies, and site optimization. Course outcomes include creating strategies for clients, developing web analytical algorithms, measuring progress, and justifying financial impact of selected strategies.
Digital marketers must understand historical patterns of company data to improve or predict performance. This course provides tools and techniques that lead to effective decision making. Students also develop their critical-thinking and analytical skills. Course outcomes include differentiating methods of data mining and predictive analytics to meet organizational needs.
Related Master's in Digital Marketing Degree Concentrations
Students earning an online master's in digital marketing may want to consider a concentration in international business. Topics include international marketing, cross-cultural management, international business issues, international trade and finance, and international monetary economics.
Digital marketing professionals benefit from understanding how businesses convey information. Organizational communication helps students learn how to use communication strategies to influence and cultivate corporate culture. Topics include shareholder communication and employee awareness. Students also explore human behavior in professional settings and ethical practices.
This concentration prepares students to make better business decisions and gain useful marketing insights. Program outcomes include designing digital marketing strategies and identifying best web analytic metrics to measure influential variables. Courses may include eMarketing design, survey research, and eCommerce.
Students earning an online master's in digital marketing benefit from a concentration in digital communication. Courses include creative process and strategy, digital media ethics, special topics in public relations and advertising, writing for the web, and writing across media. Culminating assignments may include an essay or project.
A concentration in product marketing teaches students how to manage products and customer experiences digitally. Students learn to synthesize consumer research and identify product developmental needs. Courses include customer marketing and brand strategy, customer insights, advertising and promotion, and strategic product management.
Online Master's in Digital Marketing Admission Requirements
Graduate admissions requires applicants to submit official transcripts from their bachelor's program. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements may need to complete additional coursework before gaining admission.
While online schools often waive GRE requirements, an online master's in digital marketing may require this exam. Universities that do not require the GRE may allow students to submit their scores to distinguish themselves from other candidates.
Admissions departments strive to learn as much about candidates as possible during the selection process. Universities often require 1-3 letters of recommendation from professionals who can speak to students' adaptability, work ethic, and potential to succeed.
Universities may require a statement of purpose that outlines students' career aspirations, professional experience, contributions to the field, and research interests. Students should also regard this requirement as a writing sample. Some schools provide a word limit.
An online master's in digital marketing may require students to possess a minimum GPA score in order to narrow its applicant pool. Universities may accept students who do not meet the minimum requirement under academic probation. In such cases, students would need to speak with their school's admissions office to make arrangements.
Online Master's in Digital Marketing Career Paths
An online master's in digital marketing creates multiple career options. Graduates qualify to become digital project managers, who earn about $65,000 on average. They may also become advertising, promotions, or marketing managers, who earn an annual median salary of $132,620. Opportunities exist at the bachelor's level; however, earning a master's provides a competitive advantage.
Executive roles include chief marketing officer. These professionals earn $180,000 on average. This role requires relevant experience and, often, an advanced degree.
Marketing CareersRelated Careers
Frequently Asked Questions
Professionals who enjoy leading others may want to focus on executive, manager, or leadership options. Graduates should also consider what their local market currently demands.
The marketing industry offers opportunities at all levels. Therefore, earning potential varies. Identifying appealing job roles can help students determine earning potential. For instance, leadership and executive roles often provide salaries well into the six figures. However, students should note that these roles require significant responsibility.
Digital marketing remains a rapidly growing industry that changes constantly and, thus, requires professionals who can adapt. Furthermore, employers value the skills that an online master's in digital marketing offers. Digital marketing also creates flexible work schedules that allow professionals to break away from the classic 40-hour work week.
On average, a master's in digital marketing requires two years with full-time attendance. Part-time students double the program length. Universities may offer accelerated options that shorten time commitments. Concentration requirements vary and may extend the length of average programs.
Yes, students who value the knowledge, skills, and recognition of a business program can earn an MBA with a concentration in digital marketing.
Discover Similar Degree Programs
Looking for something else? Explore these other online master's degrees.
Feature Image: Tom Werner / DigitalVision / Getty Images
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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