Best Online Digital Marketing Certificate Programs 2024 – Top 11 Under $11,000

Chances are you are already pretty familiar with digital marketing. Every time you scroll on social media, watch a short ad before a YouTube video, or see products displayed in the margins of an article, you are seeing digital marketing in action. This is one of the most influential types of marketing out there! With the skills learned in a digital marketing certificate online, you could become a marketing guru!

We’ll give you the low-down of everything you need to know about online marketing certificate  programs, plus share our list of the 11 best and most cost-effective programs!

Difference Between a Digital Marketing Certificate Online and Certification

Before getting too far into things, let’s quickly clarify the difference between certificates and certification. A certificate is awarded to students after completing a college-level program. Certificates are unique to their host institution—similar to college majors. A student can earn an undergraduate or graduate certificate.

On the other hand, a certification is a standardized credential awarded by an independent organization— not by a college or university. These standardized credentials certify their holder’s ability and/or eligibility to work in a particular industry.

All the programs we will be looking at today are certificate programs. Should you desire to earn additional certification, you would do that separately.

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Best Online Digital Marketing Certificate Programs

As compared to full degree programs, digital marketing certificate programs online have a relatively short completion period. They are also much more cost-effective. The program duration varies a bit depending on:

• The institution
• Program format
• Materials covered
• Instruction level

On average, it will take students about four to twelve months of rigorous study to master foundational-level knowledge of digital marketing. While there are, of course, exceptions to every rule, many programs for digital marketing can be taken entirely online. There are generally no in-person requirements and many of the courses are asynchronous. Courses may cover topics such as:

• Social media marketing
• Digital marketing strategies
• SEO
• Analytics

Generally, online digital marketing certificate programs do not impose strict admission requirements. Newbies, marketing managers, entrepreneurs, product managers, and other specialists alike can enroll in these programs. But we’ll share more details about this in the next section.

There is not a specific accrediting body for online digital marketing programs. That said, it’s still important to attend a reputable school. You’ll want to make sure your school has general, school-wide accreditation.

As far as program-specific accreditation, you can choose to look for a program housed within an AACSB- accredited or ACBSP-accredited business school. If you’re considering pursing an MBA at that same institution, it may be of greater importance to look for those programmatic accreditations. If you’re simply looking for an online digital marketing certificate, then looking for a basic school-wide accreditation should be sufficient.

Digital Marketing Certificate Online Overview

The best digital marketing certificate programs offer the knowledge necessary for success as a digital marketer. Not only are they less time and money-consuming than degree programs, but they also provide a higher degree of convenience and flexibility.

Graduates of digital marketing certificate online programs receive a verified digital certificate of completion. It’s important to note that these programs do not end in a degree in digital marketing online. To earn a degree you will have to enroll in an associate’s, bachelor’s, or bachelor’s program.

When browsing through programs, you’ll see undergraduate certificates and graduate certificates. Let’s take a second to clarify the difference.

Undergraduate Digital Marketing Certificate Online

Undergraduate certificates feature courses that are at an undergrad level of depth and rigor. The school takes a small handful of courses from their full bachelor’s degree and puts them together for a much shorter and more concentrated certificate program. In general, the only admission requirement for these certificates is a high school diploma. Some may occasionally have GPA requirements.

Graduate Digital Marketing Certificate Online

Similarly, graduate certificates in digital marketing feature courses that are a master’s level of difficulty and depth. Because of this, admission requirements are more rigorous. Students are required to have an undergraduate degree. Sometimes, schools may also have GPA requirements and/or require that a student’s bachelor degree be in a field related to marketing.

Students wishing to continue their education after earning their certificate can seamlessly use these earned credits toward a master’s degree at that same institution.

11 Best Online Digital Marketing Certificate Programs

Now that you have a better idea of what you might be looking for, take a look at some of the best online digital marketing certificate programs. First, we’ll check out the six best undergrad certificates for under $5,000, and then we’ll look at the five best graduate certificates for under $10,500.

Undergraduate Certificates Under $5,000

1. Penn Foster

   Degree: E-Business Management Certificate
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $799

   Penn Foster is an entirely online university that has been serving students for over 125 years. They have a huge enrollment of over 300,000 students and have more than 100 self-paced courses. Their mission is “to enhance the lives of students and clients through the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and credentials that can help them work toward their goals of advancing in their chosen field, starting a new career, or pursuing lifelong learning.” Students love this school for its affordability, accessibility, being career- focused, and offering supportive coaching.

   Their E-Business Management Certificate hosts 10 courses, and most students complete coursework within 12 months. For dedicated students, there is a fast-track option that allows for completion in just 11 months.

   The curriculum includes classes such as:

   – Internet Marketing and E-Commerce
   – Internet Security
   – Website Project Management
   – Advanced E-Commerce Issues

   Through the program, students will take a total of 36 exams and will complete 5 different projects. Graduates will “build the knowledge and skills essential to successfully leveraging the internet for business.”

   Find Out More:
   E-Business Management Certificate

    

2. Fayetteville Technical Community College

   Degree: E-Marketing Certificate
   Tuition (in-state): $1,480
   Tuition (out-of-state): $4,936

   Fayetteville Technical Community College first opened its doors in 1961. Between all its various programs and academic opportunities, FTCC helps to train around 37,000 students every year with a full time enrollment of almost 13,000 students. The college has a vision to “offer more than value and a good education; [but to also offer] hope to all who seek education in response to the changing demands often experienced throughout life.”

   The college offers an E-marketing Certificate to provide the primary skills to market goods, services, or products via the internet. The program is 15 total credits and takes just two semesters. The required coursework includes:

   – Introduction to Computers
   – Principles of Marketing
   – Social Media Marketing
   – Advertising
   – Sales Promotion
   – An elective course

   Two of these courses have required lab components for hands-on learning. After completing the curriculum, graduates “should be prepared with a working knowledge and skill set to market effectively over the internet.” Students can easily transfer the credits earned in this certificate program for continuing education into an associate’s degree in a Business Administration program.

   Find Out More:
   E-Marketing Certificate

    

3. Macomb Community College

   Degree: Skill-Specific Certificate in Marketing – E-Marketing
   Tuition (in-state): $3,298
   Tuition (out-of-state): $4,199

   Macomb Community College, founded in Warren, Michigan, became a two-year public community college in 1954. It offers online certificate and degree programs to students in many disciplines. Plus, it has multiple locations throughout Macomb County. Students who prefer an in-person experience can also opt for evening or weekend classes in distance learning. Macomb holds to its mission to “transform lives and communities through the power of education, enrichment, and economic development.”

   The school offers an online digital marketing certificate program teaching the primary skills and academic requirements for entry to the field. Prospective students must have:

   – A high school diploma
   – GED score
   – Pass a placement test

   In order to earn their certificate, students must complete 17 total credit hours over the span of three semesters. During the first semester students will complete: Principles of Marketing and Computer & Information Processing Principles. Their second semester they will take on E-Marketing and Introduction to Web Programming. The program will finish in the third semester with a course on SEO.

   Find Out More:
   Skill Specific Certificate in Marketing - E-Marketing

    

4. The University of Texas Permian Basin

   Degree: Certificate in Digital Commerce
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $4,348

   The University of Texas Permian Basin was founded in 1969 as an experiment: a college for only juniors, seniors, and graduate students. The first classes were held in 1973, and then in 1991, the school transitioned to a full four-year college. Today, the university had more than 75 degree programs housed within five different colleges. They have a total enrollment of over 7,000 students—over 40% of whom are first generation college students.

   UTPB’s mission is to “cultivate engaged citizens and impact lives while advancing technology and the public interests of West Texas.” They offer a Digital Marketing Certificate Program through their AACSB-accredited business school. The program is 12 total credit hours and entirely online. Students get to choose four courses from the following six options:

   – Digital Branding
   – E-Marketing
   – E-Commerce
   – Digital Advertising
   – Digital Marketing Analytics
   – Social Media Marketing

   Graduates will gain specialized knowledge to help them “understand and succeed within the rapidly evolving digital landscape.” This program is designed to integrate seamlessly within their full business program, should students wish to continue their education after earning a certificate. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED.

   Find Out More:
   Certificate in Digital Commerce

    

5. Lakeland Community College

   Degree: E-Business Certificate
   Tuition (in-state): $4,328
   Tuition (out-of-state): $8,600

   Lakeland Community College is a medium-sized, two-year public institution in Kirtland, Ohio. Founded in 1967, this co-ed school rests in a suburban community and is primarily a commuter campus. It offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates and serves almost 9,000 students each year.

   With affordable rates and tons of flexibility, LCC provides wonderful options to further your career. The school is on a mission “to provide quality learning to meet the social and economic needs of the community.”

   One of their many programs is an E-business certificate just for students working or aspiring to work in the world of online business. This is a longer and more exhaustive program and requires 24-25 total credits. All students will complete the following courses:

   – Principles of Marketing
   – Computer Essentials
   – Business Ethics
   – Principles of E-Business
   – Principles of Marketing
   – Direct and Internet Marketing
   – Computer Essentials
   – Introduction to Business
   – One elective course in either accounting, management, or marketing

   Find Out More:
   E-Business Certificate

    

6. Messiah University

   Degree: Certificate in Digital Marketing
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $4,920

   Messiah University is passionate about “educating men and women toward maturity of intellect, character, and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in church and society.” Founded in 1909, MU has always stayed true to its founding Biblical principles. Today, it has over 3,300 undergrad and graduate students. A small but diverse population, the school has students from different Christian denominations, 38 states, and 21 countries.

   Messiah’s undergraduate Certificate in Digital Marketing is a 12 credit program entirely online. “Students earning this certificate will stand out as having needed skills to be successful in marketing today.” All students will complete the following four courses:

   – Marketing Principles
   – Integrated Marketing Communications
   – Social Media Marketing
   – Digital Marketing

   These courses provide a mixture of both classroom learning and hands-on learning to create marketing specialists well- equipped to start their careers. Messiah earned a special distinction for this program from the Journal of Marketing Education: “only 2 percent of accredited marketing programs in the US offer the advanced level of digital marketing preparation Messiah offers.”

   Find Out More:
   Certificate in Digital Marketing

    

Graduate Certificates Under $10,500

1. University of North Texas

   Degree: Graduate Certificate in Digital Retail Merchandising
   Tuition (in-state): $4,307
   Tuition (out-of-state): $6,373

   The University of North Texas is a public research institution in Denton, Texas. Initially founded in 1890 as a nonsectarian, private teacher’s college, the state formally adopted the institute eleven years later. It offers master’s, bachelor’s, and doctoral degrees—many of which are online. This is the leading university in the North Texas region! Their mission is to be a “caring and creative community that empowers students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

   The online Digital Retailing Merchandising Graduate Certificate benefits professionals in retail industries. The program is 12 total credit hours, with three core courses and one elective. All students will take:

   – Optimization
   – Retailing
   – Channel Strategies

   After that, students may choose to take either:

   – Managing Customer Experiences
   – Consumer Theory
   – Global Retailing

   Application requirements for this digital marketing online certificate are the same as a graduate program. They include a completed application and official transcripts from all universities and colleges. In addition, a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students who maintain a 3.0 GPA for all of their courses in the certificate program may apply these credits toward a master of science degree.

   Find Out More:
   Graduate Certificate in Digital Retail Merchandising

    

2. Montclair State University

   Degree: Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $6,764

   Montclair State University is a public research institute in Montclair, New Jersey. Founded in 1908, they consider themselves “a solutions engine” by “harnessing the power of 21,000 students and 1,800 professors to be a force for good in the world.” Despite the large student population, they pride themselves on small class sizes. That, and lots of support for students.

   MSU’s online graduate certificate in digital marketing emphasizes “honing effective digital marketing skills through exposure to current research in digital technology, analytics, and business cases.” Students can build their resume and get hands-on experience by practicing their digital marketing skills and strategies with real businesses.

   The curriculum hosts eight courses of 1.5 credit hours each, for a total of 12 credits. Students will take courses in:

   – Digital Customer Experience Management
   – Digital Marketing Strategy and RODMI
   – Market Analysis and Customer Insight
   – Omni-Channel Retailing
   – Practicum in E-Commerce
   – Social & Mobile Media Fundamentals & Analytics
   – Applied Marketing Management
   – Integrated Digital Advertising

   For admission, prospective students must submit their transcripts, an application, a personal statement, and a resume.

   Find Out More:
   Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing

    

3. Lindenwood University

   Degree: Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $7,800

   Lindenwood University is a private institute in St. Charles, Missouri, founded in 1832. They have a total enrollment of around 7,000 students and are proudly rooted in the Judeo-Christian value system. Dedicated to excellence and offering high-quality programs to as many learners as possible, LU offers over 50 online options for undergrad and graduate students. Their mission is to “enhance lives through quality education and professional preparatory experiences.”

   Their graduate certificate in digital marketing is 15 total credit hours. All coursework must be completed within three years. This program features a unique curriculum where students get to choose their own classes from a selection of options. It is also unique in the fact that it requires internship and practicum experiences.

   Students will choose four courses from the following options:

   – Media Literacy
   – Digital Content Strategy Practicum
   – Personal Branding and Content Creation
   – Information Literacy
   – Marketing Principles and Issues
   – Digital Marketing

   To complete the program, students will then have to take a 3 credit internship or practicum. Prospective students must submit an application and all transcripts from their bachelor’s degree. From there, an admission’s counselor will help them proceed through the rest of the process.

   Find Out More:
   Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing

    

4. Messiah University

   Degree: Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $8,700

   Messiah University is an interdenominational private evangelical Christian school in Mechanicsburg, PA. Originally begun in 1909 as a high school plus Bible program, the college first began offering college-level courses in 1929. It launched its first graduate-level class in 2009. Today they have over 20 graduate-level programs with many online options for busy adult learners. The college’s motto is “Christ Preeminent.” This reflects MU’s understanding of “how the Christian faith is relevant to every dimension of life.”

   Messiah offers a graduate certificate in digital marketing that is 100% online. This is a relatively short program—even amongst certificate programs—and comes in at a total of 9 credit hours. Students will take three 8 week classes. This means that in just four to six short months, you could be up and running in a new career in digital marketing.

   All students will take courses in Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategy. After those two classes, students will choose to round out their certificate with either a class in Marketing Strategy or Marketing Analytics. Subsequently, students can “employ the latest digital marketing strategies, techniques, and tools to effectively…reach target customers and grow their businesses.”

   Admission requirements for this program include:

   – Official transcripts with an undergrad GPA of at least a 3.0
   – A completed application
   – Resume
   – Statement of purpose

   Find Out More:
   Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing

5. Full Sail University

   Degree: Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $10,500

   Full Sail University describes itself as “fast and focused.” Their programs come at an accelerated rate to allow for faster completion time. Sometimes as much as two times faster than other schools!

   Originally started in 1979 as an audio recording workshop offering real-world experience, FSU soon relocated to its current home in Florida. Eventually, it grew to encompass other fields. Today, they still have a focus on real-world experiences while offering fast, flexible, and affordable education.

   The Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing at Full Sail equips students to know “how to best employ sound marketing fundamentals in this rapidly changing technological landscape.” The program is 12.5 credit hours long, taking around four months to complete. Unlike some other programs, Full Sail has a fully defined course list, order, and timing that all students will follow. Start dates commence in March, April, May, and June of each year.

   In their first month of the program, students will take a Digital Marketing Fundamentals course. Month two consists of a class in New Media Marketing. Month three includes Advanced Digital Marketing Strategies, and the program finishes the fourth month with Digital Analytics and Optimization.

   Find Out More:
   Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing

    

Pros and Cons of Digital Marketing Programs

The two biggest pros of choosing a certificate program over a degree program are time and money. Digital marketing certificates are considerably shorter than college degree programs. They are also intensive—with an exclusive focus on digital marketing. Financially, they are also a lot more affordable. For example, the first certificate program on our list can be completed for under $800. You won’t be able to find a bachelor’s degree that comes anywhere close to that.

On the other hand, some jobs within the industry require a bachelor’s degree for the minimum education requirements. In other words, certificate holders may be ineligible for some positions.

We recommend researching current job openings within the field. Scroll through the postings and look at the minimum requirements for the jobs that you are the most interested in. Do those jobs all seem to require a bachelor’s degree? Then that might be the route for you. But if most of the postings only require a certificate, then one of these programs could provide the most bang for your buck.

How to Choose the Right Program

Choosing a school for online digital marketing certificates requires careful evaluation and knowing what you most value in a program. Below are core elements to remember when looking through the best online digital marketing certificate programs.

Cost

For many, the cost of a program is one of the most crucial factors to consider. Some may assume that the most reputable programs are also the most expensive programs. But this is not necessarily the case.

Quality online certificate programs can vary widely in cost; thus, research is essential to choose an institution that offers affordable yet quality education.

Admission Requirements – Digital Marketing Certificate Online

Admissions for an undergraduate digital marketing certificate may vary slightly depending on the institution. However, the requirements are generally fairly minimal. Typical admission requirements may include a high school diploma, GED test scores, a minimum GPA, and/or passing a placement test.

Admission requirements for a graduate digital marketing certificate are a bit more stringent and, at minimum, include a bachelor’s degree. Other requirements may include a minimum GPA or degree type (i.e. a degree in something related to business or marketing).

Program Format

Schools may offer online digital marketing certificate programs in part-time, full-time, fast-track, asynchronous, or synchronous program formats. None of these options are inherently better or worse than the other. This comes down to personal preference and finding a school whose format aligns with your needs.

Location

The presence of many online programs has made location less of a factor than ever before. That said, make sure you double-check that your top programs do not have any in-person requirements if you are out of state. Perhaps the biggest consideration with location is tuition. Sometimes out-of-state programs cost more than in-state programs, so make sure you read all the fine print here.

Accreditation

As discussed before, accreditation determines the quality standards of an institution and a program. It’s vital in the academic world. You’ll want to make sure that, at the very least, the school you attend has institution-wide accreditation. Interested in pursuing further education after your certificate? Then you may also want to find a program within a business school that has programmatic accreditation.

Related Article: AACSB Online MBA No GMAT: Exhaustive List of Programs

What Can I Do with a Digital Marketing Certificate Online?

Digital marketing specialists rank amongst the top ten highest in-demand jobs, with over 860,000 job openings. The most widely requested skills for these jobs include:

• Content strategy
• Social media
• SEO
• Analytics

Marketing offers various domains for application, so the number of jobs is relatively high. Some of the entry-level jobs that you can secure after earning are:

• Marketing manager
• SEO Specialist
• Content Strategist
• Social Media Manager
• Digital Marketer

The amount of money digital marketers can make depends upon factors such as academic qualifications and professional experience. Your skill set, location, and the kind of company that hires you are also factors. If you land a higher-level job as a marketing manager, you could make an average of about $138,730 per year. But even a more entry-level social media manager position could still earn you a paycheck of around $65,000 per year.

Degrees – Digital Marketing Programs Online

What about if you’d prefer to earn a degree instead of a certificate? Several institutions offer online associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in digital marketing.

Associate’s Degree

An associate’s degree will give you a broad foundation in all things digital marketing. Most, if not all the courses, will be all about digital marketing—without the general education requirements of a bachelor’s. Students will complete around 60 credits, and most students will finish the program in two years.

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree in digital marketing prepares you for more advanced roles within the field. It can also provide more hands-on experience with internships. In addition to digital marketing courses, you will also take general education courses and electives. The typical bachelor’s program requires about 120 credit hours and takes most students around 4-5 years to complete.

Master’s Degree

If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to embark on a more advanced digital marketing course of study, then a master’s degree might be the right route for you. Students in these programs will only take courses related to their area of study, with no general education requirements. Most programs are around 30 credits and will take around two years to complete. Often, the degree will culminate with some type of final project, comprehensive exam, or a master’s thesis.

Find Your Digital Marketing Certificate Online with GetEducated

Companies everywhere are looking for digital marketers! And you can learn how to champion effective digital marketing strategies with an online certificate. By earning your digital marketing certificate online, you’ll have the academic credibility and skills you need to start a thriving career in this growing industry. Time to pull the trigger and get started on your dreams! If you want to learn more about this and other online degrees, check out GetEducated to read all about the amazing online options that are available for you!