Top Digital Marketing Certificates & Certifications Online

Are you interested in becoming certified in digital marketing? It isn’t hard to see why. Digital marketing sets itself apart from regular marketing with its ever-changing, dynamic process.

Customers can’t interact with a business through a billboard or print ad, but digital marketing creates a two-way path for this type of communication. Think of how many businesses you engage with in your inbox or on social media platforms. Liking posts, leaving comments, and clicking links can only be done through digital marketing tactics. 

Digital marketing career options are vast and diverse. There are eight types of digital marketing – search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click, social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, mobile marketing, marketing analytics, and affiliate marketing – and each of these has become vitally important for consumer engagement and sales. 

Becoming certified in digital marketing is a great way to level up your career. And, with the digital marketing industry valued at nearly $321 billion in 2022, there’s promise for both job growth and stability. Below are some of the top certificates and certifications for you to consider when choosing your digital marketing program. 

Noble Desktop: Digital Marketing Certificate

Key Information: This course costs $3,995 and payment plans are available through installments or through a 0% interest tuition financing plan. It consists of 126 hours of coursework and takes approximately four months to complete. There are no prerequisites and this class is open to all levels. 

If you’re ready to launch your digital marketing career (or propel it further), then this is the course for you. This live project-based training will help you gain the essential digital marketing skills to promote a business in today’s competitive markets. You’ll create a multi-tiered campaign optimized through search engine optimization (SEO), social media, paid search, content marketing, and email marketing, and then learn to track and analyze your data with Google Analytics. 

Once you’ve finished, you’ll receive an official certificate showcasing your mastery of the curriculum. You can share it online with your friends or even post it to your professional network on LinkedIn to help you stand out in your field. 

Digital Marketing Institute: Dual AMA and DMI Certification

Key Information: This course combines the power of two great marketing leaders into one certification program. The total cost for this dual-certification course is $1,442 which can be paid in full or paid through three installments of $480.66. There are approximately 30 hours of course content that you have up to 24 weeks to complete at your own pace and whenever you choose. On average, students complete this program in 8-10 weeks. There are no prerequisites so beginners are welcome to join.

This online on-demand course boasts continuously updated content, keeping you ahead of the curve in the industry. This program is made up of ten modules, starting with an introduction to digital marketing. You’ll then cover topics like social media marketing, paid search with Google Ads, email marketing, Google Analytics, content marketing, SEO, display and video advertising, and web optimization. 

Once you’ve completed this course, you’ll receive two internationally-recognized certifications – a DMI certification and the Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) awarded by the American Marketing Association (AMA) – for the price of one!

Columbia Business School Executive Education: Digital Marketing Intensive

Key Information: This six-month intensive course requires approximately 15-20 hours of coursework per week. It costs $6,950 but a discount is offered for referrals and a flexible payment plan is available. This course is ideal for early to mid-level marketing professionals or those looking to change careers, and no prerequisites are required.

This program offers a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of digital marketing from display advertising, search engine marketing, social media marketing, and email marketing to the impact of marketing analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. You’ll learn about consumers and the channels and platforms available to help you reach them. You’ll also hone your statistical techniques to track, analyze, and optimize your campaigns to maximize return on investment (ROI).

As an added bonus, participants of this course will also complete Google Analytics IQ, Google Ads Display, and Google Ads Search certifications. These three courses are highly recognized within the digital marketing industry. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a certificate of participation from Columbia Business School Executive Education. You can then add your course certificate and your Google certifications to your resume and LinkedIn profile. 

UCLA Extension: Certificate in Digital Marketing

Key Information: This fully online certificate program offers a cost breakdown for potential new students. There is a $200 application and candidacy fee, an estimated $3,800 tuition fee, and an additional $350 needed for textbooks and materials. All courses in the program are paid for individually, meaning you don’t have to pay the entire estimated tuition at once. Designed for new and experienced marketers, this class has no prerequisites. Each course has limited offerings each semester, so the time it takes to complete this course can vary. 

Composed of two required courses and eight electives, this program teaches you how to optimize your website and create traffic-driving content, apply best practices in digital media planning, and track and evaluate campaigns via data and analytics. You’ll also explore various social media platforms that can be leveraged to increase customer engagement and sales. Plus, you’ll learn about influencer marketing and how it can be integrated into a campaign.

Once you have completed a minimum of 20 units of program curriculum (five courses) with a GPA of 3.0 or better, you then have the option to enroll in an internship arranged through UCLA Extension.

ECornell: Digital Marketing 360

Key Information: This in-depth course costs $7,999, or $450 per month if you choose an installment plan. Entirely online, it takes approximately ten months to complete this course, assuming you commit to 3-7 hours of coursework per week. This class is led by an expert instructor with a max of 35 students to ensure you receive the best curriculum and highest level of instruction.

Considered somewhat hybrid, there are 19 lessons that can be completed on your own time, followed by two live symposiums that are highly interactive and held over Zoom. You’ll learn to develop a marketing plan, analyze opportunities and strategies for paid advertising, structure a social media strategy, and select the appropriate social media platforms for specific objectives. This course will also cover optimizing spend in paid advertising, customer segmentation, how to identify opportunities for implementing AI, and how to create the best data protection plan.

At the end of this course, you’ll earn a Digital Marketing 360 Certificate from Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and 224 professional development hours (22.4 CEUs). These can be added to your resume or LinkedIn profile to help set you apart from the job market competition.

Northwestern Kellogg School of Management: Digital Marketing Strategies: Data, Automation, AI & Analytics

Key Information: Are you a business leader, manager, or marketing professional wanting to learn how modern marketing is powered by data, scaled by automation, and optimized by analytics? This course will teach you all that and more in just two months (assuming 4-6 hours of coursework per week). With a price tag of $2,600, it’s more affordable than some of its competitors. Plus, they offer referral discounts and flexible payment plans to make the course even more accessible. 

Broken up into eight modules, this course goes beyond the basics of traditional marketing practices by implementing cutting-edge AI, automation, and customer journey mapping to make better decisions and gain efficiencies. You’ll learn to apply these new technologies while studying how to understand a customer and their expectations, how to properly utilize customer segmentation, and how to create a content management system and strategy. This class will also cover brand storytelling and various methods for testing your strategies for efficiency and success. 

Throughout the program, you will work on a Marketing Transformation Challenge where you will identify a business challenge to be solved with a marketing solution. Ideally, it's a solution that you could apply in a real-life situation, making the exercise extremely practical. You’ll receive your verified digital certificate once you’ve finished the course and can add it to your growing list of digital marketing qualifications. (This program is graded as a pass or fail so participants must receive 80% to pass.)

Wharton Online: Digital Marketing Certificate Program

Key Information: This course costs $2,340 and takes six weeks to complete with 3-5 hours of coursework per week. There are no prerequisites for this course as it is open to everyone from marketing students to advertising executives. 

This class is held entirely online and on-demand, so you can dive into your coursework as soon as you sign up. Designed by world-renowned marketing professors at the Wharton School, this class covers the key marketing skills most in-demand today: omnichannel marketing, marketing analytics, social media strategy and analysis, and data-driven customer-centric approaches to customer retention. You’ll get to interact with and learn from leading experts whose research has been published in leading journals, providing the top-quality education that Wharton is known for. 

FAQ for Digital Marketing Certificates

What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?

Both certificate and certification programs can provide a quality education, but there are some important distinctions between them. Keep reading below to learn the differences so that you can choose the right program for you.

A certificateis given to signify your successful completion of a course or training. Often categorized as continuing education or professional development, mid-career professionals pursue certificates to enhance or develop high-demand skills in their industry. Others might be looking to change their careers or pivot into new roles. In those situations, you can gain an upper hand and much-needed new knowledge from a certificate program.

Certificate programs typically require fewer credits than an associate degree. They’re usually made up of a few select courses in a particular subject matter. These courses are noncredit programs sponsored by educational institutions, meaning you will not earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree by completing them. Held in regular classrooms or taken online, they are typically shorter than other graduate programs. A certificate can certainly add value to your resume, but it’s important to note that it won't carry the same weight as an associate's or bachelor’s degree, which are commonly required for many jobs.

In contrast, a certification is a professional credential that you earn through a professional training program or assessment. These certifications typically culminate in a final exam or test and many jobs require specific certifications for promotions and career advancement. 

Certifications can lead to increased pay, potential promotions, and enhanced professional expertise. A lot of professions require certifications to be renewed at regular intervals. Some companies may even cover the cost of certification, as these credentials can bring value to the workplace. 

Examples of certification courses can be found through companies like Salesforce and HubSpot. Common (and highly respected) web design certifications can be acquired through organizations like the American Marketing Association (AMA).

Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?

Choosing between a certificate and a certification will depend on many factors. If you’re looking to change career fields entirely and need to learn as much about your new industry as possible, then a certificate could be the right choice. If you are established in your career and looking to level up, perhaps to gain a new title or increase your pay, then a certification course is probably the right route. 

The amount of time and money you are able to commit to your training will be a factor in this decision as well. If your company is requiring a certification for you to advance in your career, then most likely they will either pay in full or offer assistance for your certification course. Both certificates and certifications can vary in length, so it’s important to be mindful of how long the program will take you to complete. If you’re looking to change careers quickly, then a shorter-length certificate can be a great choice.

Regardless of whether you choose to pursue a certificate or a certification, both can give you an upper hand in your professional development and expand your skill set, making you highly desirable within your current field or a new one. 

Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?

While it isn’t necessary to be certified to find a new job, it can give you a strategic advantage. Think about this: there were around 35,300 openings for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers in 2021, with projected growth in the field of 10% by 2031. And, with digital marketing managers making a median wage of $127,150 (in 2021), it’s clear that digital marketing is a highly desirable career path for many.

Being certified, whether that’s through a certificate or certification program, can set you apart from the potentially thousands of other applicants. It will show your passion and commitment to the field and expand your skill set to encompass more than what applicants fresh out of college or new to the industry may possess. Specific to digital marketing, certifications can show that you’re up-to-date on necessary skills in a constantly evolving industry. Being certified gives you the best chance possible to stand out with recruiters and managers, so attending a digital marketing certification course is worth the investment.

What Certificate Program is Right for Me?

Are you struggling to decide which certificate program is right for you? Perhaps you’re unable to decide between online and in-person or are unsure what the differences are between live and on-demand classes. While all of these options offer a pathway to certification in digital marketing, they each have their own pros and cons that you should weigh.

Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes

Several factors should be considered when deciding whether an online or in-person class is better for you. Your personal preferences, location, and schedule (among many other things) will help determine which option is right. Read below for some of the top things to consider when choosing between an in-person or online class.

• Location: Where you’re located can often determine what classes are accessible for you. If you live in a major city, there are most likely in-person classes available. If you reside in a smaller city or a rural area, online classes may be the easiest option that can help you avoid long commutes to classes in nearby places. Or, maybe you do live in a bustling city like Los Angeles or Seattle but want to avoid dealing with traffic during a commute. Whatever the reason, your location will play a large role in your choice of class.
• Learning style: Do you succeed in a collaborative hands-on learning environment? Or, do you prefer a quiet, solitary place to focus on your studies? In-person classes can be a great way to engage with other students, ask questions and receive answers from your instructor in real-time, and problem-solve on the fly when you encounter any difficult lessons. In contrast, online classes are ideal for those who prefer a 1:1 learning environment. Live online classes will still allow you to interact with an expert instructor while also enabling you to choose your learning environment, whether that’s in your living room, at your local library, or tucked away in your favorite coffee house.
• Schedule: Your schedule will play a crucial part in your choice of class. While in-person classes are commonly considered the most efficient way to learn, you are required to attend class at a set time and in a set location. On-demand online classes offer greater flexibility for those with varying work schedules, or those who live in a different time zone than the course that is on offer. You can choose when and where you learn and you can stop and start your classes whenever you need, allowing you more time to focus on difficult topics. 
• Materials, supplies, and space: It’s important to make note of what is included in your class offerings. In-person classes typically provide all the needed materials and supplies, as well as an appropriate space to learn. Online classes commonly require students to buy certain supplies or materials outside of those provided in the online curriculum. (Luckily, for digital marketing, the required supplies are minimal, usually only consisting of a laptop, smartphone, and wifi.)

Taking all of these factors into consideration will help ensure that you pick a course that compliments your preferences and learning style so that you can earn your certificate in digital marketing and usher your career into its next chapter.

Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?

There are two main types of online classes: live and on-demand. Live virtual classes require students to meet at scheduled times for live lessons with an expert instructor. On-demand classes, also known as pre-recorded or asynchronous classes, have no set times for class. You will learn each lesson at your own pace and can submit questions to your instructor to be answered at a later time. 

Live online classes offer a lot of the same benefits as in-person classes. You can ask questions and receive answers in real-time and, potentially, even work with other students in breakout sessions. These interactions create a more collaborative learning environment while the scheduled class times and hard deadlines can provide a level of accountability that some students may find valuable. 

On-demand classes are best suited for self-motivated learners. Because these classes also often lack hard deadlines (usually providing a maximum window of time in which your course should be completed), students can spend as much time on each lesson as they choose. The caveat with pre-recorded classes is that if you do have any questions, you’ll have to wait for your answers or join virtual office hours if they’re offered. 

If both of these options appeal to you, it’s important to note that there are also hybrid online classes. These will typically have on-demand lessons and tests with a few scheduled live sessions for discussion, presentations, or collaborative projects. For some students, this is the best of both worlds, allowing them to work around their busy schedules while also offering chances for engagement and networking.