Digital Marketing Master’s Degree: Do I Need It?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction
• What is MSc digital marketing?
• The different kinds of digital marketing degrees
• What do students in digital marketing master’s programs study?
• How long will it take me to earn a master’s in digital marketing?
• What will it cost me to do digital marketing master’s programs?
• Which schools have the best digital marketing master’s programs?
• Schools that offer a master’s in digital marketing online
• What should I look for in a master’s in digital marketing program?
• Do I really need a master in digital marketing?
• Professional associations in digital marketing

Introduction

Slowly but surely digital marketing is replacing traditional marketing. That’s why colleges and universities are creating
various programs designed for marketers.

Nowadays brands are heavily spending more on digital advertising than on traditional marketing. And that’s for a good reason. Because digital marketing allows businesses deliver ultra-personalized messaging. This is directly sent to potential customers’ personal devices. For a fraction of what it will cost to design and broadcast a 20 second commercial.

Before now, marketers could only identify a relative handful of audience segments potentially receptive to their campaigns. But today, they can easily track their customers’ online activities. Using data science and predictive analytics to isolate increasingly particular customer profiles. For example, men, ages 20 to 25, with two or more dogs. Who drive hybrid vehicles and are very passionate about environmental concerns. They will then use this information to determine which customers are on the verge to make big life decisions.

Master’s degree in marketing have struggled to keep up with a rapidly changing marketing landscape. That’s evolving in parallel with new advancement in computing. Some universities and colleges have equally launched digital marketing master’s degree programs. In a bid to attract students who aspire not just to be marketers. But marketers on the very forefront of technology.

Probably you’re fascinated by the changing tools and tactics digital marketers use to reach their customers. Then these programs will look like a great fit. Don’t start to send out your applications just yet. Until you read this article “digital marketing master’s degree: do I need it?”

Let’s dive into the article fully.

What is MSc digital marketing?

Both mobile and online marketing are still relatively new disciplines. But it hasn’t stopped universities and colleges create dedicated digital marketing master’s degree programs.

https://youtu.be/1aX6aHHLD-g

Digital marketing as discipline involves everything from email marketing, mobile advertising to audience analytics. Here is why? Because digital marketing is less expensive compared to traditional advertising. It’s very customizable, easier to time and track. More engaging in this age of short attention spans. And most importantly, is highly measurable.

The ROI for traditional advertising campaigns that involves print and billboards is very difficult to track. In the digital environment, on the other end. Customer actions leave a trail that lead back to the source. Businesses may use this data not only to measure the marketing campaigns effectiveness. But equally to develop new and more successful ones.

While we may not have predicted actually a teen girl’s pregnancy using marketing analytics some years back. There are a lot of stories of people encountering online ads that are weirdly personal. Some people find this targeted nature of digital marketing very creepy. Other people find it rather fascinating. As the digital marketing landscape is growing and evolving more. Universities and colleges have equally launched graduate degree programs particularly for this latter group. Well, marketing is still largely the world of creatives. Still, there’s a new class of techy marketers out there. You’ll find some in digital marketing master’s degree programs.

Urbizboost’s advise

We here at Urbizboost know you’re passionate about digital marketing. Getting a Master of Science (MSc) in Digital Marketing. Or a related degree that will help you advance your career. How much it will help you solely depends on you. But before you enroll in any graduate program. Try and learn as much as you can about making any commitment and the kind of returns you will expect.

The different kinds of digital marketing degrees

As a relatively new discipline, digital marketing has many variation among programs. Starting with the naming conventions. Your digital marketing master’s degree can be the aforementioned MS in Digital Marketing. Or a Master of Science or a Master of Arts in any of the following:

• Digital marketing
• Integrated marketing
• Digital marketing and design
• Communications
• Digital and social marketing
• Marketing with a digital media specialization
• Digital communication
• Mass communication with a digital strategy concentration
• Digital innovation in marketing
• Communications
• Internet marketing
• Social media marketing

These programs equally differ when it comes to focus. Though you shouldn’t dwell on degree names alone just to assess if a program will support your goals. Some of the programs focus more on the creative side of digital marketing. Including courses in storytelling, audience engagement and digital design, audience engagement. While others are more technical. And do require students to complete coursework in UX design and programming. There are digital marketing master’s degree programs that devote the more credit hours to core marketing concepts. And some programs devote to niche areas of mobile and mobile marketing. Such as marketing analytics and social media.

Some digital marketing master’s degree programs are solely business-focused. There might come a time when this unique discipline is well-defined and standardized. But for now, a digital marketing master’s degree is whatever any school says it is.

What do students in digital marketing master’s programs study?

Again, there are many variations when it comes to how different schools approach this degree. This means you’ll need to carefully read course lists and program guides to determine the focus of the program you need. One program curriculum might prioritize core classes covering the same concepts. That’s taught in traditional marketing master’s degree programs. Such as market research, sales research and customer psychology. And do digital marketing as an elective specialization. While in another school, courses might center on database management, mobile advertising. Equally social media, analytics, online brand management, SEO, and content management—to the exclusion of all else. A third school may take a balanced approach to it.

In a university, for instance, students who pursues the MS in Digital Marketing and Media take a mix of core courses and electives:

• Consumer research methods
• Digital storytelling
• Marketing management and S
• Strategy
• Web analytics and SEO
• Applied social media
• Communications
• Brand management
• Consumer behavior and customer relationship
• Web design and user experience
• Management

Other topics that are covered in digital marketing master’s degree programs can include:

• Content marketing
• Data visualization
• Digital marketing strategy
• E-commerce marketing
• Sponsored content
• Electronic and social commerce
• Email marketing
• Search engine marketing
• Digital assets management
• Influencer marketing
• Data analytics
• Link building
• Multicultural marketing
• Paid ads
• Public relations
• Search engine optimization
• Social media platforms and marketing
• User experience optimization

How long will it take me to earn a master’s in digital marketing?

Digital marketing master’s degree often last between two and three years. And the graduate students are required to complete about 30 credit hours of work. Again, there’s a lot of difference between on campus and online programs.

Frustrated? Please don’t be.

The difference surrounding this academic discipline may make it difficult to sort with school search results. It equally means you may earn a master’s in digital marketing within 12 months. When you commit to a full time course of study. On another hand, when you need flexibility more, you will find it, too. There are many part-time digital marketing master’s degree programs. Hybrid programs, and also self-directed asynchronous programs.

They will take longer to complete. Sometimes three years or even more but students can continue working. And meeting personal obligations while they earn this degree. The only disadvantage to choosing a longer part-time program. The digital marketing landscape is evolving speedily. In the two or three years it will take you to earn a master’s degree. The best practices and the technologies that digital marketers may have used may have evolved. Meaning the new practices was not covered in your degree program.

What will it cost me to do digital marketing master’s programs?

A digital marketing master’s degree might cost any amount from $15,000 to $30,000. Or even more in total tuition and fees. That’s less compared to the cost of an average MBA or the best MS in any marketing program. But still, it’s not a small money. Master’s degree students are basically eligible for scholarships, student loans, grants, and other forms of financial assistance. So before you commit. Think very carefully about what type of returns you will expect on your investment.

Which schools have the best digital marketing master’s programs?

Digital marketing master’s programs aren’t all that common. Even when you include MS in marketing programs that will offer a digital marketing specialization. Some of the best digital marketing master’s programs will be found in some of these schools:

• Brandeis University, do offer an MS in digital marketing and design
• Emerson College, offers a Master of Arts in digital marketing and mata analytics
• New York University (NYU), do offers an MS in Integrated Marketing
• Northwestern University, offers an MS in integrated marketing communications
• Sacred Heart University, is offering an MS in digital marketing
• University of South Florida (main campus), offers an MS in marketing with a digital marketing & brand management concentration
• The University of Texas at Dallas, offers an MS in marketing with a digital advertising and marketing concentration.

If none of the above options looks compelling to you. Have in mind that there are many high ranking graduate schools for marketing. That allow students to create their main areas via their choices of electives.

Schools that offer a master’s in digital marketing online

Only a few of the above universities and colleges, including Brandeis University. Do offer their digital marketing master’s degree programs online as well as on campus. You may equally find well regarded online digital marketing master’s degree programs at:

• Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, is offering an MBA in marketing and social media
• Southern New Hampshire University do offer a Master’s in digital marketing
• Temple University do offer exclusively an MS in digital innovation and marketing
• University of Florida, offers a well packaged Master of Arts in mass communication with a specialization in digital strategy
• University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign is offering an MBA in digital marketing
• Yeshiva University’s Katz School of Science and Health is offering an MS in digital marketing and media

What should I look for in a master’s in digital marketing program?

Your main goal when you enroll in a digital marketing master’s degree program. Is for you to decide on specialising in digital advertising or not. Or should you gain as many professional relationships as possible. And just pad the heck out of your portfolio. The best digital marketing master’s degree programs are the ones that will assist you do that.

Search for programs with leaders in the industry in the faculty. With connections to companies in the digital marketing environment. Programs with internship requirements will be better than programs that culminate in a capstone project. Except the project includes working with real-world companies. If the school you choose do participate or hosts annual marketing conferences, that’s better.

Do I really need a master in digital marketing?

It’s very clear to us that digital marketing isn’t going anywhere. Which suggests that to earn a digital marketing master’s degree is important. If compared to traditional marketing, digital marketing is relatively cheaper. It’s very easy to time and track. More engaging, so easy to tweak, and very measurable. Proving ROI is much easier is when brands invest in digital marketing. For these reasons, companies today focus their marketing strategies on:

• SEO
• Social marketing
• Email marketing
• PPC

With the above companies’ efforts go viral. Traditional channels are now becoming the domain of small businesses catering to niche audiences.

Digital marketing in future

That being said, there’s no guarantee what digital marketing will look like in ten or even five years. By the time you must have completed a two year digital marketing master’s degree. Probably everything you learned could be out of date. It sounds threatening. But rapid changes in technology are driving also rapid changes in marketing. And universities and colleges basically can’t update their programs that quickly.

In a Reddit thread exploring the same question we saw user writes: “As someone who has been in this field successfully for more than 11 years. I’m not even sure myself how a digital marketing degree would be that relevant. Basically I literally have a total sea change in my business model at least once a year.”

www.reddit.com

We know that your best bet is probably to think carefully. Whether you’re drawn more to the techy elements of digital marketing or the human side. If it’s the former. Then take a look at master’s degree programs in web development, data analytics, marketing analytics, and digital innovation. Or MBA programs that is offering a digital marketing concentration.

When it’s the latter, master’s in traditional marketing programs can still teach you a lot. About the psychology of advertising and how and why people do respond to marketing. And when you’re not sure, there’s another path you might pursue. One that doesn’t require you to get a master’s degree at all. Just get a job in digital marketing and get a few years of experience. This might help you understand where your interests truly lie. Once you know this, whatever degree you decide choose will be worth it.

Professional associations in digital marketing

As a digital marketer is good to join a professional associations. From there you will network with professionals whom you look up to or admire. Professional associations will provide a wide range of valuable resources for you. As well as those who are recent graduates.

Benefits of membership basically include access to online journals and trade publications. Professional advancement opportunities, job listings and also in-person networking events.

Three professional associations for digital marketing master’s degree programs are outlined below.

American marketing association

The AMA will offer you membership that provides access to an online career center. With a job board and other resources, that includes webcasts, podcasts and articles. The AMA equally has an annual conference that will give you the opportunity to network. Compete for case competitions and win awards.

Data & marketing association

DMA, formerly known as Direct Marketing Association. It’s dedicated to data technology professionals. Including data inspired creative experts and data.driven marketers. It has member communities for particular fields within marketing. This includes a digital and mobile and community and an integrated marketing community. DMA equally offers marketing certificate. And certification programs as well as online courses.

Internet marketing association

IMA is known to free membership for experts with a college-equivalent education. With a career related to internet or online marketing. It equally hosts events for marketing experts.