For marketing professionals like you, that means there’s a lot to review and prep for, including mastering the skills you need to excel at your job and further your career.
To help you stand out in an increasingly crowded talent pool, you’ll want to stay up to date on the ever-evolving digital landscape, including trends, tools, and strategies. One of the best ways to stand out is to get certified in a marketing skill. This allows you to learn something new or have a tangible way to prove to your organization or a new employer that you’re ready for the job.
Below, we’ve curated a list of the best, most recognized digital marketing certifications that can help beef up your resume.
What are the different types of digital marketing certifications?
In this article, we’ll look at three core types of digital marketing certificates. There is significant overlap among content areas and topics, but we’ve sorted them based on how they’re generally presented to people. Our list is designed to help you search for specific certifications and is based on how you might want to list them on a resume. Here are our three categories:
- Certificates from accredited universities: These are programs offered by leading institutions designed to help professionals as well as new students. They’re broader and sometimes come with a larger expense.
- Platform- or skill-specific certificates that allow you to specialize in one area: These courses and accreditations generally focus on tools platforms Google and Facebook, or tools like HubSpot.
- Certifications provided by industry organizations: Marketing groups create their own certifications to help standardize knowledge and industry practices, which can build confidence when your head of marketing knows or is a member of the group that provides your certification.
Each offers a unique way to grow your skillset and improve your chance to land great jobs or improve your freelance options. Be sure to add your certifications to your Upwork profile as well as on LinkedIn and other career profiles.
Continuing education certifications from accredited universities
1. Duke University Digital Media and Marketing Certificate Program
Duke University offers an online, self-paced marketing and media training certificate that works well for beginners and those looking to grow their skills. This package is a single course that comes with nine modules, and you work at your own pace so that it can be done in as little as a few weeks. The cost is currently $3195, but you can add electives as well.
Benefits:
- Labs allow you to simulate and analyze paid and social media strategies.
- Live mentoring sessions exclusive to Duke students twice per month.
- Access to live and on-demand webinars and presentations.
- Certification comes in partnership with OMCP, a recognized industry leader.
- Some loan and scholarship opportunities are available.
2. Cornell University Digital Marketing Certificate Program
Cornell offers a class-like Digital Marketing Certificate Program where you’re guided through marketing policy and tactics step by step. A specific instructor for your section leads classes, and your class size will be under 35 students. The course length averages two weeks though you have access to materials and the chance to win your certificate over 2 months. It currently costs $3,600.
Benefits:
- Teaches you how to create a comprehensive marketing plan.
- Cornell says it only requires 3-5 hours per week.
- It counts as 3.2 CEUs for most employers.
- Includes classes on emerging channels.
- Monthly payment options are available.
3. Stanford University’s Machine Learning Certification (Coursera)
Coursera and Stanford University offer a core machine learning class that helps people learn the development of this new technology. This is a broad introduction to help you master supervised and unsupervised learning plus develop best practices and habits based on current case studies and industry work. You can view the entire course for free, but if you would like to earn the certificate, it currently costs $79 for the class.
Benefits:
- Flexible deadlines.
- 60 hours of work to complete.
- The certificate is widely recognized and valued.
- Low cost for a university-led class.
- 34% of students say it created “a tangible career benefit.”
4. MIT’s Digital Marketing and Social Media Analytics
MIT offers a live (Zoom-based in 2021) digital marketing and social media analytics certificate program designed to help leaders understand modern media. It covers many of the basics and also moves into mobile commerce and analytics as well as social listening, from a high-level point of view. It currently costs $4,400 and the university’s website says it will maintain this lower-than-normal pricing through 2021.
Benefits:
- Two-day intensive course as part of its Advanced Certificate for Executives tracks
- Live, online, with a leading MIT Sloan professor
- Approach prioritizes thorough implementation for leaders
- Focused on the latest advances with minimal coverage of basic concepts
5. UC Berkeley Extension Certificate Program in Marketing
The most like a traditional college degree on our list so far, UC Berkeley Extension offers one of the more detailed programs for you to learn everything you need to know about marketing. Most students complete the course in 18 to 24 months because it requires 10 total classes. However, at a current cost of $4,700, it tends to be relatively affordable. Learn the ins and outs of social, paid, search, and traditional marketing as well as SEO and market research.
Benefits:
- 88% of surveyed graduates saw an increase of 6% or more in salary after completing the certificate.
- Designed to help you find an advanced career beyond entry-level work.
- You can complete the course faster than normal or take additional years based on what’s happening in your life.
- Get access to special instructions as well as career services after the certificate program is complete.
6. University of Illinois’ Digital Marketing Specialization Certificate
Through its Coursera partnership, the University of Illinois offers marketing specialization training on topics including digital marketing analytics, search engine optimization, social media marketing, and 3D Printing. You can get an individual certificate for marketing or use these classes as part of the University of Illinois Masters of Business Administration degree program. There are seven total courses covered, but you only need to complete five and a final project to get your certificate.
Benefits:
- Beginner focused
- Certificate covered in the Coursera $79 per month cost
- Can reset deadlines as needed
- Takes approximately 27 hours to complete
Platform and Skill Specialized Certificates
7. Google Analytics Individual Qualification
Google offers the Analytics Academy to help you learn about its Google Analytics tools. You get access to multiple classes and lessons on six different tracks to help you master the service. Best of all, every class and even the certification exam are free. You’ll need to retake the exam every year, but it is relatively easy to pass if you’re using the platform regularly. This is one of the most highly regarded programs for the knowledge you gain.
Benefits:
- Free and self-directed
- Well respected within the industry
- Qualification lasts for a year and there’s no cost to renew
- Certificate available—please note that no “badges” or visual images are provided. Google has been known to revoke qualifications for people who’ve created their own badges to use in marketing materials.
8. Google Ads Certification
Google Ads Certification is a professional certification provided by Google covering ad units within its search, display, video, shopping, apps, and measurement tools. This certification has been in high demand for years and it’s even better now that Google has removed all costs, plus gives people multiple chances to take the exam. Each tool, such as Search, has its own certification and classes. Each takes roughly four to five hours.
Benefits:
- Free and expanding in content coverage.
- Optional tools and instructions to master advanced techniques.
- Time consuming, so it demonstrates value to potential employers.
- Helps your company earn Google Partner badges which can improve the company’s ability to land clients.
9. Facebook Blueprint
Facebook offers a free learning program to help companies use the platform for sales and marketing. You can take classes at any time to learn specific tactics and tricks or apply for one of its many certifications. The Facebook Certified Digital Marketing Associate is a good place to start. It has 14 lessons that are all under 30 minutes and comes with practice tests and study guides to help you plan for the exam.
Benefits:
- Facebook is a growing marketing and sales tool.
- Information is the most up to date compared to outside lessons about the platform.
- Free and self-guided with many additional resources.
- Minimal time investment.
10. Twitter Flight School
Twitter provides free lessons via its Twitter Flight School and you can earn shareable acknowledgments for some of these courses. While it previously provided full certifications, the company has switched to “badges” for a small set of courses, such as its video content. Badges can be displayed on LinkedIn and other social media pages and most average two to four hours to complete.
Benefits:
- Free and fast classes
- Tests are relatively easy and can be taken multiple times.
- Some brands are using these lessons for onboarding and training.
- Easy to garner multiple badges in a brief period of time
11. HubSpot Inbound Certification
HubSpot offers a wide variety of free certifications that are worth reviewing. We’ve included its inbound certificate because this is among the most valued in the industry. The two-hour course includes six lessons, multiple videos, and quizzes. You get certified for free and you’ll walk away with a detailed understanding of inbound marketing and sales.
Benefits:
- Increased focus on sales compared to others, helpful for small shops
- Widely recognized and very positively viewed
- You learn how to identify marketing targets, not just processes.
- Useful for a wide range of company areas and job activities.
12. Hootsuite Academy Social Marketing Certification
Hootsuite provides a detailed set of certification courses and the ones on Social Marketing are top-notch. There are six chapters each with multiple lessons, and the chapter on social media strategy is as comprehensive as some entire courses offered by other companies. The certification currently costs $199 and it is industry-recognized and permanent, so no need to renew it repeatedly.
Benefits:
- Takes about six hours self-directed, but support is available
- Low cost and well recognized
- Tailored for beginners and business leaders who are new to marketing
- Prioritizes practical skills
Industry organization certificates
13. American Marketing Association (AMA) Digital Marketing Certification
The American Marketing Association is a widely recognized industry body and learning resource for marketers in the U.S. It offers a counterpart for those living elsewhere through partner organizations. AMA is now working on the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI)program, so you also get a “Certified Digital Marketing Professional” certificate from the DMI when you complete the training. The cost is typically $1955, but DMI regularly runs discounts.
Benefits:
- 30 hours of self-paced content
- Taking one test earns you two certifications
- Broad topic area coverage and supplemental materials from two industry organizations
- Offers live support, tutors, study groups, and membership support access
14. Digital Marketing Institute Certifications
DMI offers multiple marketing certifications, allowing you to specialize in core functions, programs, and industry job titles. Its most popular certification is the “Certified Digital Marketing Professional” mentioned with the AMA above, but you can also become a certified expert with its 44-week course for a current price of $5870. Its expert courses are the most in-depth on our list for leaders and those with experience.
Benefits:
- Extremely detailed and technical
- Includes an AMA certification in the price
- Test software and development tools in the program
- Learn advanced, in-demand skills for ecommerce, CX, CRO, and more
15. Interactive Advertising Bureau Certifications
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) offers multiple certifications for media sales, media buying and planning, and digital ad operations. This is a popular choice among major enterprises because of its corporate training programs. Your agency partner or a local advertising group may have access to membership pricing for you. Certification exams cost $400 to $600 depending on the course and if you’re an IAB member or not.
There’s one significant difference for IAB Certification: this focuses on gaining a credential based on knowledge you already have. While some training and preparation are available for these items, you need to have the expertise walking in ahead of the certification exam. Review the study guide ahead of time to see if you know the terms, processes, and other features required.
Benefits:
- Perfect for existing practitioners
- Used by some of the largest agencies and advertisers in the U.S.
- Fast certification with no required coursework, just an exam
- Has strict eligibility requirements to help you understand if you’re ready before spending any money
16. OMCA Certification for Digital Marketers
The Online Marketing Certified Professionals (OMCP) association offers multiple training programs. Perhaps the best for digital marketers is the Online Marketing Certified Associate (OMCA) certification. There is no training included for the current $225 cost, just a certification exam and a review of your marketing credentials. A $15 practice exam is available as well. Certification lasts two years.
The certification has instant credibility and is recommended for existing professionals. However, if you’re new to marketing, you can take one of many outside classes to meet a knowledge requirement and wave its experience requirement.
Benefits:
- Industry standard, with more than 900 organizations and schools using OMCP to set their classes
- Earn between 16-26% more than non-certified digital marketers
- Class or knowledge requirement helps employers know you’re well versed in digital marketing
- No long wait to take an exam or get certified
17. Digital Marketing Association Certified Digital Marketer Program
The Digital Marketing Association (DMA) offers a Certified Digital Marketer Program to give digital marketing professionals a pathway to a proven status for their knowledge. DMA turned its work with the University of California Irvine (UCI) into a standard practice and now offer packages through the UCI Division of Continuing Education, Oxford College of Marketing, and the Australian College of Marketing.
The DMA offering is a bit different from the others in this list. You take a course through one of the DMA’s partners, such as the $2850 and 120-hour course from UCI, and get a certificate from that partner. Afterward, you verify your class results with DMA and can attain its Certified Digital Marketer status.
Benefits:
- Allows you to choose a preferred education partner
- Is an additional certification on top of the degree or certification you get through the classes
- No-cost application
Choose what is right for you
We’ve presented 17 amazing certification programs for digital marketers. They’re designed to help beginners, experts, and anyone in between to master skills and demonstrate their knowledge. You’ll need to put effort in for each but can expect to reap significant rewards for that hard work.
When it comes to finding the right path forward for you, look for the best fit. This entails not only what meets your budget, but how much time you have available as you look to expand your knowledge. You might want to start small with a short class and certificate or take advantage of an extended break to do a full course load. Prioritize what you believe you can complete and use, and you’ll be on your way to a smart and successful digital marketing career.
