Best Digital Marketing Certificates

A certificate differs from a degree in several areas: time, cost, and prestige. A certificate can be completed in less than a year, whereas an undergraduate degree will take between two and four years to complete on average. A certificate takes less time to complete than a degree because there are fewer classes to take. Some certificate programs in digital marketing only require you to take three courses or the equivalent of nine credit hours. Longer certificate programs tend to range from seven to ten classes. Because you're taking fewer courses in a certificate program, the cost will obviously be lower than that of a degree program. Earning a professional or undergraduate certificate will allow you to find work in the digital marketing field, but some jobs will require a bachelor's degree because it is more prestigious and degree holders will have had more experience and coursework necessary to meet the company's needs. However, a graduate certificate will show employers that you've continued your education after earning your bachelor's degree, which could qualify you for a higher salary than someone with only a bachelor's degree.

If you're interested in digital marketing, but do not have the desire or finances to earn a degree, a certificate program is your best option. An undergraduate or professional certificate will qualify you for entry-level work in digital marketing, which may lead to opportunities for growth in the field later on. Additionally, if you have a bachelor's degree, but want to shift your career path into digital marketing, a graduate certificate program will give you the knowledge necessary to make that lateral career move. A certificate is time and cost-effective and can boost your earning potential in the industry.

In this digital age, there are plenty of career options for someone pursuing work in digital marketing. Most companies need a digital marketing team to implement an advertising and content strategy to increase revenue. A certificate can help you get your foot in the door of a company. Popular entry-level positions in digital marketing include:

Junior Marketing Analyst

In this role, you will identify and analyze marketing trends, follow a clear marketing strategy based on the analyzed data, and assist in placing ads to ensure the best conversion rates. To qualify for this position, you must be prepared to work in a fast-paced environment, communicate clearly, think critically, and come up with creative marketing messages. Previous experience or knowledge of advertising and analytics would also be beneficial. On average, a Junior Marketing Analyst earns $39,046 annually as of May 4, 2021, according to Payscale.

Social Media Coordinator

This position is ideal for someone who can effectively write and produce creative and intriguing content for a company's social media profiles. You will update the company's website and work with editors on writing copy for products. To get hired in this role, you'll need a degree in marketing or a related field, one year of experience, and be well-versed in social media trends. A Social Media Coordinator earns $40,662 per year on average as of June 30th, 2021, according to Payscale.

Media Assistant

A Media Assistant will create new marketing initiatives, keep up to date on industry trends, and launch digital advertising campaigns. This role is perfect for someone who can work independently, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is analytical and organized. Most companies will prefer candidates to have one year of experience in a similar role, but it is often not required. A Media Assistant can earn $38,078 annually as of July 1, 2021, according to Payscale.

If you earned an undergraduate or graduate certificate in digital marketing, many schools will allow you to transfer those credits into their bachelor's or master's degree program in digital marketing. You will save time and money because you'll have already completed several classes toward your degree. If you continue your education, more doors could be open for you. Some schools may have a digital marketing degree program, while others may offer digital marketing as a concentration within an all-encompassing marketing degree program. A marketing program could offer degrees in Merchandising Marketing Sales and Distribution, Marketing Research, and Marketing Management. These degrees can prepare you for jobs such as an Online Marketing Manager or a Marketing Product Manager.

Depending on the certificate program you move forward with, you can expect to take between three and ten classes to earn your certificate. Whether you're in a program for beginners or already a professional in the industry, your classes will focus on how to: build an online marketing platform for a business, write copy for social media marketing, read data to understand marketing trends, optimize keywords so a company will appear higher in search results, and ideal online ad placement. Programs with more classes may also offer a selection of elective courses that will focus on these main ideas in more detail and allow you to choose which sub-topic is the most interesting to you. Typical courses include:

Marketing Analytics

This course will help you to understand data and what it can show a company about sales and marketing trends. You will learn how to analyze marketing data for a company website in order to increase sales and decrease expenses. This course could prepare you for a job as a junior marketing analyst or media manager. Your main goal would be to analyze marketing data to create an optimized marketing strategy for the company.

Search Engine Marketing

This course will teach students the importance of SEO aka search engine optimization. You will learn how SEO helps to find customers through advertisements and how copy can increase a website's conversion rate and increase sales. This class can prepare you for work as an SEO specialist, in which you would work to make a company's website appear higher in search results through optimal keywords, thus increasing the website's traffic and potential for converted sales.

You can expect to take three to ten courses to earn your certificate. Most programs can be completed in under a year, and many online programs are self-paced and can be completed in as little as three weeks. Depending on the length of the program, you should set aside several hours per week to complete course work and/or course modules. Typically the certificate program will provide this information upfront on the certificate overview page, so there will be no guesswork on your end.

When researching certificate programs in digital marketing, you should decide whether or not you want a professional, undergraduate, or graduate certificate. From there, you'll want to make sure you can meet all application requirements and afford the cost of tuition. Then, you'll want to decide whether you want to take classes on campus or online. Because this industry deals with online marketing, many digital marketing certificate programs are fully online and self-paced. An online program may be best if you want to earn your certificate quickly. Once you've done your initial research, you'll then need to consider your ultimate point of interest within the field of digital marketing and make sure the program you want to join offers courses that align with your interests. Some schools may have several certificates available within digital marketing. If that's the case, make sure to review all of the digital marketing certificate subjects to ensure you choose the program that you'll enjoy the most. You may even earn a certificate in multiple digital marketing subjects to further boost your hiring potential.

Most certificate programs are designed for those with little to no experience in digital marketing. Most schools only require a completed application, an interest in computers and the digital world, and a High School Diploma or GED. Some programs are open to all who choose to enroll once you've submitted your tuition payment. However, if you plan to enroll in a graduate certificate program, it is expected that you will have years of experience working in digital marketing and a bachelor's degree in a similar subject, as you will be taking advanced courses. Additionally, the graduate program may require a personal essay, all post-secondary transcripts, and your resume.

Earning a certificate is far cheaper than earning a degree. You'll find that some schools charge per class, while others will list a standard tuition rate for the program. You can expect a certificate program to cost anywhere from $1,000-$5,000, depending on the school. Typically, the programs that offer the most classes will cost more than a program that is only three or four courses. It's important to remember that earning a certificate that will transfer credits into a degree program for continuing students will save you money down the road.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources for Digital Marketing Certificate Programs

If you're planning on earning a professional certificate, you should note that schools will not require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) because you will not be a matriculated student. This means if you cannot afford the cost of the certificate program on your own, you'll have to research private loans or work with the school to pay tuition through a monthly payment plan. Students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate certificate program will have the opportunity to review available scholarships and grants after completing a FAFSA. Below you'll find scholarships that could be applied toward your tuition.

• Digital Marketing Scholarship. To be eligible for the 10x Digital Inc. Digital Marketing Scholarship, you must be a high school graduate or GED holder enrolled or planning to enroll in a digital marketing program and take at least ten credits. To apply, you must write a 500-word essay on which 5 digital marketing trends are paving the way for the future. You should also detail why you're deserving of the scholarship. 10x Digital Inc. awards $2,000 twice a year.
• UW Certificate Scholarship. If you choose to enroll in the University of Washington's Digital Marketing Certificate program, you can apply for the school's certificate scholarship. To apply, you must be a US resident and live in Washington state. To be eligible, you must not exceed specific household income limits outlined on the scholarship page and your employer cannot provide financial assistance. Additionally, you or an immediate family member cannot be an employee of the university. The scholarship award will range from $2,500-$8,000, depending on your needs.
• Re-entry Woman Scholarship. This scholarship provided by the American Association of University Women is for female residents of North San Diego County in California. An award of $2,000 will be given to three students who are 23 years or older, without a bachelor's degree, and have experienced hardships that have caused a delay in completing their degree. Applicants must be accepted into a community college or university degree program, be involved in a leadership activity and have completed 20 college credits.