Editor's note: We earn commissions from Forbes Advisor partner links. Commissions do not influence editors' opinions or ratings.
Earning an online digital marketing degree will equip you with effective traditional marketing techniques and give you a deep understanding of the pillars of digital communication. By leveraging both key elements, you can help grow your organization's audience and revenue.
Learn more about online digital marketing degrees, including what you study and possible career options.
What is digital marketing?
Before we get straight into what you can expect from an online digital marketing degree, let's cover the basics of what digital marketing is.
According to the American Marketing Association, digital marketing includes a variety of methods and platforms, with the common element being the use of computers and the Internet. A company's digital marketing strategies and channels include:
- Website and blog
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing
- Social media
- Video, audio, and text content
- Email (e.g. newsletter)
- affiliate marketing
- Sponsored content
- pay-per-click advertising
What does it take to major in digital marketing?
A digital marketing major allows you to adapt traditional marketing techniques to the digital world. It also covers communication aspects and how each digital channel can be leveraged to meet key performance indicators. In our Digital Marketing degree program, you'll learn strategies to position your product and get your message to the right person, in the right place, at the right time.
Although most universities do not offer a digital marketing degree program explicitly, you can earn a bachelor's degree in marketing with a concentration in digital marketing.
General Online Digital Marketing Degree Course
A typical digital marketing degree curriculum may include the following subjects:
- marketing principles
- Digital marketing insights, strategies and applications
- Introduction to digital marketing
- digital marketing analysis
- Creation of digital content
- mobile marketing
- search engine optimization
- social media marketing
Many universities in the United States now offer distance learning options and flexible schedules for digital marketing majors. Earning an online digital marketing degree typically takes four years and he requires 120 college credits.
Digital Marketing Degree Admission Requirements
All digital marketing programs have specific prerequisites for admission, but generally acceptance requires some or all of the following:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Standardized test scores (such as ACT or SAT)
- personal essay
- letter of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all educational institutions (high school or college) previously attended
Career as a digital marketing major
Earning an online digital marketing degree opens the door to a variety of career paths. Below we outline some of the most common ones. The following carrier data was obtained from PayScale.
Advertising manager
Average annual income: Approximately $72,000
Required educational background: Bachelor's degree in Marketing or Communications
job description: Advertising managers create advertising plans that increase interest and demand for products and services. You will also delegate the responsibility of enabling junior staff to develop creative, brand-specific advertising campaigns.
content strategist
Average annual income: Approximately $69,000
Required educational background: Bachelor's degree in Digital Marketing, Journalism, or English
job description: Content strategists develop, execute, and manage a company's content strategy across various marketing platforms. Plan content ideas that align with your organization's business goals, analyze metrics to measure their effectiveness, and adjust your strategy as needed.
digital marketing manager
Average annual income: Approximately $74,000
Required educational background: Bachelor's degree in Marketing or Business Administration
job description: Digital marketing managers plan and manage marketing campaigns that promote a company's brands, products, and services across digital channels. I also supervise and train a team of young digital marketers.
email marketing manager
Average annual income: Approximately $78,000
Required educational background: Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or communications
job description: Email marketing managers create and manage email marketing campaigns. They review email marketing metrics (open rates, click rates, spam reports, unsubscribes) to identify loopholes and improve future campaigns.
search engine optimization specialist
Average annual income: Approximately $52,000
Required educational background: Bachelor's degree in Digital Marketing or Information Technology
job description: SEO specialists optimize websites to improve their rankings on search engines like Google. We may work with stakeholders such as editors, writers, developers, and other members of our marketing team to ensure your pages rank well.
social media manager
Average annual income: Approximately $57,000
Required educational background: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Journalism, or Communications
job description: A social media manager spearheads a company's interactions with the public through social media. Their day-to-day responsibilities include identifying and leveraging social trends, planning digital campaigns to build community, and engaging with customers online.
Digital Marketing Degree Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which degree is best for digital marketing?
The best digital marketing degree for you will depend on your career goals. If you only want to work as a digital marketer, a traditional (digital) marketing degree is your best option. However, if you want to expand your career options, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in digital marketing is also a good path.
Is digital marketing a good degree?
A major in digital marketing is a good degree for anyone looking to enter the marketing field today. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment growth rate for advertising and marketing managers from 2022 to 2032 will be 6%, indicating a steady demand for marketing professionals.
How long does it take to earn a degree in digital marketing?
It typically takes four years to complete a digital marketing major and earn a degree. Accelerated programs and credit transfers allow some students to finish faster, while part-time learners may take longer to graduate.
