If you are interested in marketing online, you have numerous courses and certificate programs to choose from. Perhaps the best place to start is the digital marketing bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While this may be a large commitment, it is a solid choice if you are looking to make the switch to working in digital marketing.

Why Digital Marketing?

To begin with, the job outlook is extremely positive. According to Indeed, a job search engine, 94,000 jobs were posted in March 2018 just for digital marketing, making it the second-fastest growing job sector that month. Since then, the search engine reports that over 150,000 new jobs have been added.

One of the biggest draws of working in digital marketing is the variety of tasks you’ll be asked to perform. In addition to your marketing and communications duties, you will assist with social media campaigns, analyse online behaviour, design websites, and develop digital marketing strategies. This is a broad scope and you’ll find yourself using various tools and technologies to complete your tasks.

What’s Next?

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign doesn’t just offer one digital marketing degree, but three different routes you can take to earn your bachelor’s degree. These range from a traditional full-time program to an Accelerated Degree Program to an Evening and Weekend Program. Choosing which route to take depends on your existing schedule and what you intend to do after you complete your bachelor’s degree.

Take some time to research the different programs and choose the one that suits you best. You can then use the rest of this article to help you decide what to study and how to prepare for it.

Traditional Bachelor

If acting soon after completing your high school diploma is important to you, then the traditional bachelor’s program may be the right choice for you. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s traditional bachelor’s in digital marketing requires students to complete 60 credits and take a total of four years to earn their degree. While this may be a lengthy process, it does give you time to complete your studies and begin working in a field you’ll find useful.

Evening and Weekend Bachelor

This option is perfect for those who enjoy an evening or weekend class. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s evening and weekend bachelor’s in digital marketing requires 40 credits and allows you to study part-time. You can use this opportunity to complete your degree and gain work experience at the same time. Thanks to the flexibility of this arrangement, you may be able to balance your time between working and studying.

Accelerated Degree Program

If you are not sure where you want to work after you graduate and want to secure your first career, then the Accelerated Degree Program may be the right fit for you. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Accelerated Degree in digital marketing requires a total of 25 credits and awards you with a bachelor’s degree in 90 days. Thanks to this special arrangement, you can put your studies first and begin your career while also gaining valuable work experience.

Master’s Degree

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign also offers a master’s degree in digital marketing for those who want to continue their education. This option requires a total of 80 credits and consists of both online and on-campus learning. If you are unsure of what additional training you may need to complete your existing skills, then this is the route for you. A master’s degree in digital marketing can help you establish yourself as an expert in your industry.

Certificate Programs

For those who are looking to gain additional skills or want to explore certain topics in more depth, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign also offers a range of digital marketing certificate programs. Some of these are available completely online, while others require you to attend regular classes as well as complete an online component. This allows you to continue your studies even when you are not in a traditional classroom setting.

Whether you are looking to make the switch to a career in digital marketing or are interested in exploring the field further, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has you covered. The search engine reports that 94,000 jobs were posted in March 2018 for digital marketing professionals, so it would seem that there are plenty of opportunities for those considering this career path.