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Digital Marketing Communications, M.S.

Master modern marketing channels and engage digital audiences. WVU's online M.S. in Digital Marketing Communications prepares you to develop multi-channel campaigns across social media, search, content, and emerging digital platforms.

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Courses and Credits:

10 Courses / 30 Credits

Duration:

12, 18, or 24 months

Admission Terms:

Fall, Spring, Summer

Next Start Date:

January 11, 2027

Term Length:

8-week courses

Learning Format:

Online asynchronous

GMAT/GRE:

Optional

Program Overview

Digital media moves fast, evolving from static websites to short-form video and streaming platforms. The online Digital Marketing Communications, M.S. from the College of Creative Arts and Media is built specifically for early-career professionals ready to strengthen their technical knowledge and strategic foundation. Grounded in real-world industry execution, this comprehensive degree prepares you to balance creativity, data insights, and personal credibility. The accelerated structure allows you to master modern multi-channel platforms and leverage consumer insights to launch high-impact campaigns on your own schedule.

Anticipate What’s Next

Acquire the tactical platform mastery, strategic consumer insights, and campaign design frameworks required to lead modern marketing operations.

  • Proven Impact: Leverage a program with documented professional outcomes, where 71.4% of recent alumni surveyed reported a salary increase greater than 25%.
  • Built-in Credentials: Earn 7 industry certifications from premier platforms like Google Analytics, SEMrush, HubSpot, and Canva directly inside your standard program coursework.
  • Pioneering Faculty: Learn from active industry trends setters who direct digital strategies for national clients and bring practical, day-to-day agency experience to your classroom.
  • Exceptional Value: Earn an innovative graduate degree with affordable, flat-rate tuition per credit hour for all students, regardless of residency.

What You’ll Learn

The curriculum prepares you to create innovative digital strategies using emerging technologies, creative content, and the latest tools shaping modern marketing communications.

  • Digital Strategy and Innovation: Explore emerging trends in digital marketing, including artificial intelligence, mobile marketing, influencer marketing, and new technologies transforming how brands connect with audiences.
  • Content and Community Building: Develop engaging digital content and brand strategies across social media, online platforms, and emerging channels to build meaningful audience connections.
  • Audience Engagement: Learn how to reach and engage target audiences through omnichannel strategies, customer journeys, social media campaigns, and personalized digital experiences.
  • Campaign Development: Create and execute digital marketing campaigns while applying SEO, web metrics, and industry tools to measure impact and improve results.

Explore some of the options you can pursue to build your competitive edge in digital marketing communications:

This course examines the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the workplace. As early adopters and AI champions, marketing professionals are at the forefront of innovation, driving strategic advancements for their organizations and clients. Through this course, marketers will learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence, gaining the skills and insights needed to stay ahead in their careers.

This course explores the role of influencer marketing and how best to leverage individual tastemakers to fulfill marketing objectives. Students learn how to identify, qualify, and amplify the efforts of various influencer types available to marketers, and how to set accurate key performance indicators.

This course explores the importance of brand identity, positioning, communication, and management across various platforms, particularly in the realm of social media and public relations. Students will develop a personal and professional brand toolkit, including a comprehensive branding plan, social media strategy, and PR blueprint.

This course will provide the skills and knowledge necessary to create strategic digital content that effectively engages your audience and boosts brand visibility. Students will explore and learn how to use the latest trends in digital marketing to develop strategies centered around a content piece for a brand partnership that aligns with current integrated marketing communications.

Alumni Spotlight

Portrait of Hannah Booth
Portrait of Hannah Booth

Hannah Booth

M.S. in Digital Marketing Communications, 2023

“ “ I knew the Digital Marketing Communications program would help me advance to the next stage of my career with more confidence, experience, and a stronger resume.

Application Steps

What You Need to Apply

  • Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.75.
  • A Statement of Purpose
    • The statement should be 500-800 words and double-spaced.
    • This statement should explain to the admissions committee your motivation for applying, rather than repeating your resume.
  • A resume or CV that reflects your education and experience.
  • Official transcripts from all non-WVU institutions attended should be sent to:

Applicants are encouraged to apply before the program’s priority/early application deadline in order to receive full consideration.

  • Early Fall (August): Early/Priority Admission: June 15; Admission Deadline: August 1
  • Early Spring (January): Early/Priority Admission: November 1; Admission Deadline: December 15
  • Summer (May): Early/Priority Admission: March 15; Admission Deadline: May 1

How to Apply

Applications for WVU’s online programs are processed through the University’s central portal. Follow these steps to set up your account and submit your application.

  1. Check the prerequisites: Review ‘What You Need to Apply’ to confirm your eligibility and get your application materials ready.
  2. Create your account: Visit the portal, create your account and start your application.
  3. Pay your application fee: Complete the required payment within the portal.
  4. Submit: Carefully review your details and submit your application.

Virtual Information Events

Tuition, Fees, and Aid

Cost per credit hour is listed on each program page. Rates are reviewed annually and subject to change.

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies, and living expenses. Please visit WVU’s Estimate Costs and Aid website for how to plan for other potential expenses.

  • Complete the FAFSA
  • Check Employer Benefits: Inquire about potential tuition assistance or reimbursement programs.
  • Review Waivers: Understand the specific restrictions on University tuition waivers.

Learn More

Careers and Employment

The online Digital Marketing Communications, M.S. program’s comprehensive curriculum will build your skills across key areas of marketing communications, including search engine optimization, paid search, display and social media marketing, marketing automation, content marketing, multichannel analytics, and desktop and mobile user experiences.

This program’s instructors are industry veterans, meaning they bring first hand experience and expertise into the classroom and pass it directly to you, so you can take it into the job market and apply it to your own career. To further prepare you, this program includes built-in certifications to help you build more skills and stand out to companies and employers.

What can I do with a Digital Marketing Communications, M.S. degree? Explore potential careers, employment environments, and academic pathways:

  • Digital Marketing Manager
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Digital Marketing Strategist
  • Sales and Marketing Manager
  • Social Media Manager
  • Web Content Manager
  • Digital Marketing Coordinator
  • Content Director

Frequently Asked Questions

Online asynchronous means the program is delivered entirely online with no required live meeting times (like Zoom). While you learn on your own schedule, you remain responsible for completing all coursework by the established deadlines.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the program’s curriculum and student experience, connect with:

Lila Caldwell

Applicants need a 2.75 GPA in the bachelor’s degree to be admitted on good standing. However, the review process for the M.S. in Digital Marketing Communications is holistic, and considerations can be made for applicants with a lower GPA based on work experience, other graduate level course work, and letters of recommendation on a case-by-case basis. If you have questions about the GPA requirements, please contact your admissions consultant.

The M.S. Digital Marketing Communications program has several industry certifications built into the curriculum that you will earn throughout your studies, including Canva, HubSpot, Semrush, and Google.

Transfer credit from another accredited graduate level program can be considered on a case-by-case basis. To be considered, you must submit a syllabus for each course you are looking to transfer, as well as your unofficial transcript showing the grades you earned in each course. There is no guarantee of transferability, all courses proposed for transfer must be equivalent to courses in the Digital program. Transfer credit is limited to 12 credit hours.

As a student in the M.S. in Digital Marketing Communications program, you’ll gain access to a strong network of more than 2,500 marketing communications professionals, along with resources designed to support your academic and professional growth.

Program benefits include:

  • Mentorship Program: Connect with alumni mentors who can help you expand your professional network, gain industry insights, and build career-ready skills.
  • Scholarship Opportunities: Current students may apply for a one-time scholarship award to help offset tuition costs.
  • Alumni Lifelong Learning Program: After graduation, you can continue developing your skills through additional coursework available through the Alumni Lifelong Learning Program.

Yes, you can. Most of our students work full-time. The program is flexible, allowing you to choose your classes and progress at your own pace, taking one or two courses at a time. This flexibility means you can finish in 12, 18, 24, or more months.

Success, however, relies on organization and discipline. You must meet academic standards and dedicate time each week to your studies and meet your deadlines. With commitment, you will be successful in the program and well-prepared for the dynamic job market.

As a student in the program, you’ll have access to personalized career coaching and professional development resources through the College of Creative Arts and Media’s Career Development team. Danica Ryan, Program Director of Career Development, works with students and alumni to explore career paths, prepare for internships and full-time positions, and develop strategies for long-term professional success.

Support is available through the Career Center via one-on-one appointments, group sessions, and drop-in hours, and includes resume and cover letter reviews, interview preparation, job and internship search guidance, and graduate school application support.