Digital Marketing

Overview

Digital marketers are in high demand as organizations rely on digital marketing to build their brands online. Learn the latest best practices and industry trends in a hands-on, interactive environment. Apply your skills while working with industry partners and preparing for a dynamic career that includes social media marketing, search engine optimization, marketing strategy and analytics.

You learn to:

• Evaluate various digital strategies and media tactics to execute effective integrated marketing plans.
• Create digital marketing content using industry-standard methods and technologies.
• Optimize your content for internet search engines and your target audience.
• Adhere to digital advertising and marketing standards, in accordance with Canadian legislation.
• Measure the success of digital marketing initiatives using industry-standard monitoring and tracking tools.

Graduate with recognized certifications from Hootsuite, Hubspot and Google.

Work experience

• Field experience is a mandatory credit course, providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside the classroom.
  • Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
• Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work experience courses are your responsibility.
• For more information, visit work experience opportunities.

Study options

• Although this program’s delivery is noted as synchronous online, some of your learning is completed independently (asynchronous).
• Learn more about synchronous and asynchronous learning

Choose NSCC

• This is a practical, hands-on program designed to mirror the processes found in digital and social media marketing roles.

Other info

• You're expected to have basic Microsoft Office computer skills and access to technology to complete this program.
• A strong work ethic and a professional approach are key elements to your success in this program and career.
• This program mirrors working in industry. You should be prepared to work with industry-type expectations, at a fast-pace, being responsive and meeting tight deadlines.

September 2025

Campus	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
eCampus	Full time	Synchronous online Delivered fully online with both non-scheduled and scheduled classes.	Seats available

Admission requirements

• Two-year diploma, undergraduate degree or equivalent.
• High School Graduation Diploma plus minimum 5-years of industry experience may be considered for admission to this program under NSCC’s PLAR policy. For detailed information on the PLAR policy as it relates to this program, visit the Candidate Assessment for Digital Marketing Graduate Certificate page.
• International students – Submit your official post-secondary documents for assessment. View document and language requirements by country

Program requirements

• Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.

Tuition

Tuition amounts are for the 2024-25 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for College services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Digital Marketing

Career options

• Digital marketers are employed by public, private and non-profit organizations, such as government agencies, consulting and IT firms, marketing agencies, not-for-profit groups, etc. Many are self-employed and often administrative roles within an organization will manage digital and social media requirements.

Future study options

• Continue your studies at university – This program includes courses that count towards a university degree. Learn more about having your diploma count towards a university degree

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

MKTG 2510 - Digital Marketing Foundations
This course introduces digital marketing, its purpose and relevance in the marketing practice. The key principles of digital marketing and the strategic marketing planning process will be introduced. The importance of understanding the target audience, brand management and use of technology tools will prepare students for identifying and achieving organizational objectives.

MKTG 5010 - Content Marketing
This course establishes the power of content and how it enables digital marketers to carry potential customers along with them on their journey through the digital marketing space with the aim of converting them. Students learn how to create, curate, and deliver content effectively. It also delves into the skills needed to plan and execute a content strategy that is audience and persona driven.

MKTG 5020 - Social Media Marketing
In this course, students discover and learn how social digital marketers can use social media platforms to have a direct connection to consumers. Students discover how to leverage social media in their overall marketing strategy and learn best practices for helping them successfully connect with consumers. They will learn the foundational skills of social media marketing, utilize social tools for business and government, and discover how to advertise on social platforms and measure effectiveness.

MKTG 5030 - Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
This course equips students with the knowledge of how search engines work. Lessons delve into how to optimize your website to deliver the right signals to search engines, why it is important to align your SEO objectives with your overall business objectives, and how to use keyword and competitor research to build an SEO plan that will attract and convert the right audience to your website.

MKTG 5040 - Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
This course demonstrates the implementation and management of paid search campaigns online advertising platforms. Students will be able to develop and manage an SEM strategy and campaign based on budget, industry and location, as well as develop skills to optimize paid search campaigns, bidding and conversion tracking.

MKTG 5050 - Email Marketing
This course explores email as a key marketing channel and explores techniques and email design best practices. It covers the key elements of developing a compelling email, as well an email marketing campaign. students will also learn how to utilize subscriber lists and understand privacy legislation with respect to email marketing.

MKTG 5060 - Digital Marketing Analytics
The course provides students with the fundamentals of web analytics. They will learn how to install and utilize analytics to track and collect data, as well as gain insight about activities within their website traffic, analyze your digital marketing performance and use the data collected for decision making. It will also explore your responsibilities regarding data collection, consent, and privacy issues.

MKTG 5070 - Digital Marketing Strategy
This course will delve into the components required to develop a digital marketing strategy. It will enable students to grasp and use online marketing channels as well as a digital marketing campaign to achieve their digital marketing strategy and ROI expectations. This course will cover how to set clear objectives and measurable key performance indicators in addition to the research needed to guide students in channel selection. and, finally, students will also learn how to execute their plan.

MKTG 5960 - Work Experience
The work experience component provides the learner with an opportunity to apply new skills and concepts appropriate for positions within the occupation. Learners will assess their own performance and be evaluated by an industry partner. Learners will identify personal outcomes they wish to attain during the work experience and will keep a journal. This is a course of 175 hours spread over five weeks.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.