How Can you Specialize a Master’s in Internet Marketing?

Students who once pursued master's degrees in marketing and advertising are now shifting their focus to the Master's in Internet Marketing program. The reason for the major shift in focus is because of how in-demand Internet marketing has become. Traditional marketing strategies may still work in certain industries, but budgets and the wider audience of the Internet are what keeps businesses budgeting more money towards virtual strategies and less towards traditional ones.

Undergraduates who are looking to advance their education and specialize their knowledge can benefit from earning their graduate degree in Internet marketing. First, they will learn the advanced skills professionals need to promote a business and products successfully. Second, having the degree will help marketers compete for the highest-paying jobs. Here's how you can specialize your graduate studies.

Related Resource: 10 Most Affordable Master's in Internet Marketing Online 2018

Find a Reputable Program

The hardest part of getting into a master's degree program isn't always getting accepted, it is finding programs that are worth applying to. Not all graduate-level programs are created equal. It's best for students to find either in-class or online schools that are known for offering quality marketing degree programs and quality specialized curriculum.

The best way to go about searching for a reputable program is to see if the school or the program itself is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency. Watch out for fake agencies that the school might promote or that are made up on their site. Some of the more reliable options for accrediting information are the American Marketing Association and the Digital Marketing Institute.

Look at the Curriculum

Not all schools offer majors that are as specific as Internet marketing; some offer a Master's in Marketing that can then be tailored through elective courses. If this is the best option available, it is important to select the appropriate coursework. Some of these include:

• Internet Product Design
• Creation Copywriting
• Search Engine Optimization
• Website/Blog Design and Creation
• Affiliate Program and Product Marketing
• Video Marketing
• Social Media Marketing

Get Certified as an Internet Marketer

Having a Master's in Internet Marketing will provide a distinction in an industry where job opportunities are expected to grow by as much as 10 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Another way to garner attention is to become a Certified Internet Marketer through Internet Marketing Association. By proving that you have the knowledge and attending industry events, you can stand out in the crowd of all of the other graduates.

It's always better to have specialized knowledge in something, rather than a general knowledge in a few areas. A bachelor's degree in marketing provides the general knowledge in all of the principles of marketing and provides a foundation for further studies. That knowledge can then be specialized through a Master's in Internet Marketing program.