Getting an online MBA in digital marketing is a great way to get the skills you need to advance in the workplace and become a digital marketing expert. Digital marketing represents about 54% of total advertising spend in the United States, and that percentage is only going to increase in the near future. Companies need people who understand how to use online and mobile formats to reach customers. With some very affordable and convenient programs, you have excellent choices that will allow you to get your degree while continuing to work in your current job.
What is a Digital Marketing Master’s Degree Like?
If you are considering enrolling in digital marketing school, you may wonder what it will be like. Most programs in digital marketing will have the majority of your work online, using digital tools and interacting in the online formats that you will use as a professional in digital marketing. This makes it a great type of degree to get through an online program—you’re already interacting in the space where your work will take place! There will be courses in marketing, strategy, management, analytics, market research, and more. Some programs will have more business and management content, while others will feature more work in the techniques and technologies that underlie digital promotions. Most programs will have asynchronous classes, where you log in on your own schedule, participate in discussion boards, complete assignments, collaborate with peers, and receive feedback from your instructors. Some programs will have occasional synchronous, or “real time” meetings for live interaction via video. You might take one class at a time, or more if you wish to finish the degree quickly.
GetEducated Picks
- Fairleigh Dickinson University Master of Science in Digital Marketing
- Aurora University Master of Science in Digital Marketing & Design
- Western Governors University Master of Science in Marketing
Is a Master’s Degree in Marketing Worth It?
An online master’s digital marketing degree can help you earn more if you run your own business, giving you the skills to bring in more customers. If you work in marketing, a master’s degree can help you to take on management roles while also bringing you up-to-date with the latest techniques in digital marketing. For those who want to switch to digital marketing roles, or simply add these skills to their business competencies, a master’s degree is a great idea. For those who complete the program, the master’s in marketing salary can be higher than you would get with a bachelor’s degree. For example, marketing managers make a median salary of $141,490, making this a career that can really pay off. The skills you get from an online master’s digital marketing program are very valuable in today’s workplace, that pays off for graduates, allowing you to take on interesting and vital roles in businesses of all types.
Who earns a digital marketing master’s? Some people go right from an undergraduate program in marketing or business and jump into their master’s degree. Others have been working for years in business and wish to add these in-demand skills to improve their career trajectory. Some people who have been working in marketing would like the extra training to help them move into management positions in the marketing department. Plus, some people are switching careers and feel drawn to the creativity and digital savvy that goes into online marketing. No matter where you are in your education or career, there is a master’s marketing digital online program for you.
MS vs. MBA in Digital Marketing
There are two main types of digital marketing master’s degrees: the Master of Science (MS) or the Master of Business Administration (MBA.) Both degrees will give you training in online marketing skills, but the MS will take a much deeper dive into marketing, digital tools, processes, consumer behavior, and the nitty-gritty of digital marketing. That makes the MS very valuable for people who want to know everything about how to do digital marketing.
On the other hand, the MBA will give you some of that online marketing training while also providing a solid grounding in business management. MBA programs will have more courses that cover finance, organizational behavior, business analytics, and leadership topics. So an MBA is great for those who want to lead while also touching on the skills needed to market a product or service successfully in the modern business environment.
Career Outlook with an Online Master’s Digital Marketing
Getting a master’s in marketing salary is one of the reasons to take a master’s marketing digital online program. While you study, you can keep your job and then either move up the ladder where you work or find a different and higher paying opportunity with your new credential. People who earn a master’s in marketing salary may have a digital marketing management job, which can have a salary that ranges from $45-$175k or even as high as close to half a million dollars a year for the top jobs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that marketing manager jobs will rise 10% in the next 10 years, which is about average. However, for people with the most updated digital knowledge about marketing, the demand is likely to be much greater, so it is a great time to get you online master’s digital marketing credential.
The most likely job title you might seek with this degree include social media strategist, social media manager, content strategist, content manager, blogger, digital media promotion writer, digital media specialist, digital marketing manager, search engine marketing associate, SEO strategist, SEO manager, Email and omnichannel marketing manager, marketing automation specialist, and so on. Working directly with planning, creating, and executing marketing campaigns is a great way to use this degree.
Other job title could be small business owner, entrepreneur, creative director, data storyteller, marketing analyst, media planner, user experience designer, advertising account manager, digital media graphic designer, project management specialist, or promotions manager. In these jobs, digital marketing may not be all that you do, but the skills that you gain from a master’s in digital marketing will give you an edge over the competition and relevant knowledge to help you do your job well.
5 Most Affordable Online Master’s Digital Marketing under $30,000
Below you’ll find the top, affordable online master’s digital marketing programs. Each of these online degrees are available at least 80% online, most 100% online.
Lindenwood University
Degree: Master of Science in Digital Marketing
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $17,945Lindenwood University’s master’s in digital marketing online program allows students to complete the degree in 12-24 months, making this a quick way to get the credential. This 36-credit degree can be completed 100 % online and asynchronously or done in a hybrid format for students who wish to spend some time in the classroom. The program is designed for people with an undergraduate degree in a related field, but there are leveling classes available for those whose bachelor’s degree is in a different subject. The 24 credits of core courses include Research and Scholastic Writing, Graduate Seminar I, and Thesis/Directed Project II. For the 18 credits of coursework in the specialization, students have a wide variety of choices, including Digital Photography, Media Literacy Theory, Emerging Platforms and Analytics, Digital Content Strategy Practicum I, Personal Branding and Content Creation, Contemporary Audience Analysis, and Integrated Marketing Communications.
Applicants to the program should have a 3.0 GPA on their undergraduate degree, and if their degree is not in a related subject, leveling courses will be required. For those with a GPA below 3.0, submitting letters of recommendation and/or GRE or GMAT scores may make admission possible. Up to nine transfer credits may be applied to this program. Military benefits, scholarships, and financial aid are available. Lindenwood University was founded on Judeo-Christian values, which translates to integrity, dedication, excellence, creativity and community, and their programs are dedicated to student success rather than being strongly related to any faith community. Students from all religious backgrounds can be comfortable with this very professional degree program. The online digital marketing MS degree is especially great for those planning a career that focusses on the most up-to-date trends in marketing, and also for those who wish to be entrepreneurs.
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Master of Science in Digital MarketingAurora University
Degree: Master of Science in Digital Marketing & Design
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $20,440For convenient scheduling, the Aurora University master’s in digital marketing online has 8-week long classes. In this 36-credit MS degree, 30 of the credits are in required courses which are tightly focused on industry-relevant education. Core courses include Consumer Insight for Marketing Decisions, Marketing Analytics and Data Storytelling, Design for User Experience, Content Marketing Creation and Curation, Coding Lab for Marketers, and Brand and Campaign Planning. For electives, students can select classes in graphic design, business, or accounting to round out their program. Each student will complete a capstone project which could either be an internship or portfolio project. Students can complete the degree in one to two years fully online, and the program uses Open Educational Resources, saving students the cost of textbooks. The program is designed for working adults, so the flexibility allows students to arrange their study time around work and family obligations.
To apply, students should have a 3.0 GPA on their bachelor’s degree, though those with a GPA under 3.0 will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Letters of recommendation or an interview may be required. Transfer credits are also considered on a case-by-case basis. Students will need to have a computer running a current operating system version, either Windows or Mac, and will need to have the following software: Adobe Creative Cloud, Tableau, Pathbright, Infogram, and other programs as assigned in classes. The degree from Aurora includes detailed and industry-relevant education that will directly translate to jobs working in agencies, companies, or starting one’s own business. The MS degree is perfect for those who want to gain the most current competencies that will be needed for the constantly changing digital marketing world.
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Master of Science in Digital Marketing & DesignLiberty University
Degree: Master of Science in Marketing / Digital Marketing & Advertising
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $20,440Liberty University’s online master’s digital marketing is comprehensive and flexible, and especially great for students who have taken some classes in another program: up to 50% of the credits required for the degree can be transferred in for the program. Another appealing aspect of the degree from Liberty is the school’s Christian perspective in all of their education, while also adhering to the highest academic standards. You can easily finish this 36-credit degree in two years, and the average time to completion is 1.5 years. Classes are taught in a convenient 8-week format, with eight possible start dates per year. Core courses include Marketing Promotions, Supply Chain Management, Applied Market Research, Ethical & Legal Issues in Marketing, and Brand Management. The digital marketing cognate has three classes: Media Technologies & Communication Strategies, Effective Social Media, and Strategic Communication Campaigns for the Digital Age. There is a capstone in marketing strategy as the culminating experience, giving students a chance to try out their skills in a hands-on project.
There is no GRE required to apply to Liberty University, and applicants with a 3.0 GPA on their undergraduate degree can be admitted to the program. Those with lower GPAs may be admitted conditionally, and those with graduate degrees will have their GPA from graduate work assessed. Students need to have 27 credits of undergraduate business courses, which can include the following topics: management, organizational behavior, operations management, statistics, marketing, ethics, economics, and accounting. The Liberty University MS is a solid low-cost option, and is especially affordable for military students or veterans who are serving as first responders. For a comprehensive online education, Liberty offers a high-quality experience for a reasonable price.
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Master of Science in Marketing / Digital Marketing & AdvertisingNorthern Illinois University
Degree: Master of Science in Digital Marketing
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $26,901There are digital marketing master’s program at NIU will be of interest to students who want to become experts in the new technologies of communication. With a constantly changing landscape of digital media, developing expertise in the ethics, digital platforms, and emerging trends in communications and marketing in a digital environment is valuable in the workplace. The marketing program prepares students to sit for the Online Marketing Certified Associate and Online Marketing Certified Professional exams. Applicants to the programs should check with the school for admissions guidelines, but a 3.0 GPA on undergraduate work is required for most of their programs. These affordable programs are great for students from around the world who want to take a deep dive into the world of digital communications.
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Master of Science in Digital MarketingFull Sail University
Degree: Master of Science in Digital Marketing
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $28,009Full Sail University’s master’s in digital marketing online offers a fast-paced experience, making it a good choice for those who are motivated to get the degree quickly. The university specializes in entertainment and media and emphasizes creative problem-solving and hands-on experience in their educational programs. This degree can be completed in 12 months, with students taking one course each month. Courses in the program include Digital Storytelling and Branding, Strategic Internet Public Relations, Advanced Search Engine Optimization, and Digital Marketing Campaign Development. Because of the unique design of the program, students can start almost any month they are ready. With a project-based curriculum, students will be working on real-world problems, making connections to other professionals, and will have experience they can show to possible employers. Digital technology is changing very fast, and Full Sail allows graduates to come back and take courses if space is available, meaning that you can use the degree into the future to keep you updated on your technical skills in online marketing.
Applicants to Full Sail’s online master’s digital marketing program need to have at least a 2.0 GPA on their bachelor’s degree, but do not need to submit GRE scores. A letter of intent may be required if the GPA is below 2.5 or the applicant’s undergraduate major is not in a closely aligned subject. Those with five years of professional management experience may qualify to take credit by exam options to replace up to five of the 12 courses in the program, making the pathway to degree even quicker for them. The unique and accommodating scheduling, strong creative community, and hands-on training are all strengths of the Full Sail’s digital marketing school, and these qualities make it an especially appealing choice for students.
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Master of Science in Digital Marketing
Start Today!
If you are still wondering, “is a master’s degree in marketing worth it?” then take the time to check out our list of great colleges with a digital marketing major that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. This could be the beginning of an exciting career that creates value for your business or those you work for. Now is a great time to get your master’s in digital marketing online and get a jump on your next career move!