Bachelor of Business Administration in Digital Marketing

 

The B.B.A. in digital marketing at WMU is for students who want to be at the forefront of marketing. Digital isn’t just the future; it’s where companies are heavily investing today. At WMU Haworth, you’ll get a digital marketing education focused on strategy, creativity and analytical skills, with career preparation and Experience-Driven Learning that enables you to work with real companies and industry tools before graduation. 

You’ll also enjoy a welcoming digital marketing student organization and the benefits of a program that is constantly evolving and earning international attention. Plus, WMU is one of the few schools in the country with a dedicated digital marketing degree in an AACSB-accredited business school, so you have the quality and opportunities you need to succeed.

Statistics

100%

of digital marketing graduates working full time are satisfied with their job

—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report

100%

of digital marketing graduates had instructors who made them excited about learning

—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report

100%

of digital marketing graduates working full time have a job related to their degree

—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
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Pursue a B.B.A. in digital marketing

WMU’s digital marketing program is among the strongest in the country and keeps getting better. You’ll experience a modern curriculum designed to give you the skill sets employers hire for. The program offers a digital marketing student organization, an annual industry mentorship program and a digital marketing career fair, all of which connect you to peers and professionals while preparing you for the workforce. 

Students in the program have won multiple championships in digital marketing case competitions against competing schools from around the world so you can be confident you’ll be joining a program with an established reputation for top digital marketing talent. We are on a mission to deliver you the best possible before-the-job training to set you up for career success.

What you’ll learn

In the digital marketing program, you’ll learn how to do what professional marketers do every day—generate consumer insights, plan strategic, data-aligned campaigns and bring your ideas to life through portfolio-worthy work. 

You are guaranteed multiple experiences working with actual companies and campaigns in ways that will build in-demand skills in areas like digital market research, analytics, digital advertising and campaign planning, social media and content, search engine optimization, web design, e-commerce, marketing automation and AI. 

You can also earn elective credit through marketing internships—and add a minor in a complementary subject like advertising or business analytics.

Quote

The Digital Marketing Competition pushed me to rely on my teammates and draw on their strengths. It was a massive undertaking that required a true team effort from everyone involved. As a transfer student, being part of this team helped me fully embrace my pride in being a Bronco.
— Storm Rowles, digital marketing major

Where you’ll be after graduation

Graduates of WMU Haworth’s digital marketing program start their job search with a resume full of industry experiences that stack up against professionals already out in the field. That’s the value of a WMU digital marketing degree—you’ll enter the workforce with at least two real consulting projects and a personal portfolio upon graduation. 

Recent graduates work at agencies and companies with starting job titles like digital marketing and analytics specialist, social media coordinator, SEO specialist, campaign coordinator and paid media specialist. WMU Haworth’s Zhang Career Center connects digital marketing students with excellent externship experiences and brings employers to campus for interviewing.

What others have achieved

What others have achieved


WMU digital marketing students and graduates are already making their mark—here's a look at some of their experiences.
 

Making the most of your learning experience

WMU Haworth’s digital marketing program puts experience at the core of student learning. You’ll graduate with real proof that you’re good at digital marketing. Digital marketing courses are structured to add relevant skills and work samples to your resume, so you create a winning portfolio that lands you the job you want. You’ll have opportunities to get leadership experience in the digital marketing student organization, participate in digital marketing case competitions, be paired with a mentor and meet digital marketing employers through recruiting events.

While tools and technologies evolve, the digital marketing program is focused on making sure you’ll have hands-on experience with a variety of creative and analytical programs, with a foundation of good strategic thinking. Examples of the tools integrated into recent digital marketing courses at WMU include: Google Analytics, Google Search Console, WordPress, Semrush, HubSpot, Figma, Canva, Meta Business Suite, and BuzzSumo, in addition to AI tools.
 

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Students working at a table in the student lounge

What scholarships are available for a digital marketing degree?

WMU Haworth offers scholarships for digital marketing students based on academic merit and financial need. Admitted students can explore and apply for all available awards, including university-wide and college-level funding, through WMU's Scholarship Universe matching tool, which makes it easy to find the right opportunities. Paying for your education shouldn't be a barrier, and WMU's financial aid team is here to help you find every resource available. 

Frequently asked questions

Digital marketing courses at WMU include hands-on, experiential training with industry strategies and tools. Through classes, you’ll have the opportunity to consult with companies and nonprofit organizations on their digital marketing strategies. By graduation, expect to have at least two real consulting projects and a personal portfolio highlighting your skills in research, strategy, data analytics and creative work. 

Introductions to a variety of professional digital marketers and program alumni are woven into the program. The annual digital marketing mentorship program and frequent events offered through the Digital Marketing Student Association provide many opportunities to connect with employers and position you for internships. 

According to WMU’s 2024-25 Career Outcomes Report, 100% of digital marketing graduates working full time have a job related to their degree.

Sample job titles of recent graduates include: 

•    Digital marketing and analytics specialist
•    Junior product marketer
•    SEO and content coordinator
•    Social media manager
•    SEO and SEM specialist
•    Digital marketing specialist
•    Marketing strategist
•    Client operations associate
•    Business development associate

WMU digital marketing graduates have been recently hired by companies including Publicis Groupe, Staples, SpartanNash, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Steelcase, Geislinger, Flexsteel and Cherry Republic.
 

The digital marketing program has a sharper focus on industry-relevant skills, tools and portfolio-building experiences that will prepare you for a digital marketing career. Some specialized and capstone digital marketing courses like Advanced Digital Marketing Strategies are only open to digital marketing majors, while digital marketing students can take almost any marketing major course as an elective. Digital marketing also offers a strong community focused on the field.

A digital marketing degree will give you skills in: 

•    Digital strategy
•    Search engine and AI optimization
•    Social media marketing and content creation
•    Website creation and management
•    Digital advertising and campaign planning
•    User experience
•    Email marketing
•    AI-assisted marketing and automation
 

The WMU digital marketing program has a reputation for leadership and innovation with a number of unique features uncommon among digital marketing programs. You can expect hands-on experiences working closely with faculty mentors, collaborating with classmates, and building strategic, creative and analytical skills with industry tools. 

You’ll participate in digital marketing consulting projects with actual companies, presenting real recommendations. Participating in case competitions is integrated right into your courses—WMU digital marketing students have won multiple digital marketing case competitions against hundreds of teams from around the world! Portfolio creation and career preparation are a standard part of the curriculum and get you ready for the job search. The program also offers the Digital Marketing Student Association for career readiness, community and connections, along with a digital marketing mentorship program and a digital marketing career fair. By the time you graduate, your resume will look like an early-career professional with one to two years of real experience.
 

Yes, the Department of Marketing offers scholarships for students based on academic performance and financial need. 

Learn more about department scholarships and Haworth College of Business scholarships

Once you’re admitted to WMU, you can search and apply for available awards, including department-specific scholarships, through WMU's Scholarship Universe tool. You’ll just need your WMU ID to log in. 

The program's faculty members are invested in helping you become a better, more adaptable marketer with AI skills that are thoughtfully used to enhance a foundation of ethical and strategic practices. Artificial intelligence in the program goes beyond prompt training. You'll develop portfolio work showing how you’ve used AI to be more efficient and expand your marketing capabilities. Recent projects include creating custom GPTs to automate website audits, programming lightweight interactive content to promote brand engagement, applying GEO practices to client work and more. Read more about recent applications of AI in WMU’s digital marketing program.

The digital marketing program is led by Dr. Scott Cowley and Dr. Eric Harvey, who each have deep expertise, work experience and research activity in digital marketing. 

Cowley has won national awards through the Society for Marketing Advances and the Marketing Management Association for his contributions to marketing education. He is the co-author of a textbook, “SEO: Search Strategy for the AI Era” and has coached multiple WMU teams to championships in global digital marketing competitions. He worked for several years in digital marketing agency and brand roles before becoming a professor.

Harvey entered academia after a 15-year marketing career at telecom companies like Verizon. Previously at Ball State University, He was director of the Center for Advancement of Digital Marketing and Analytics. He is the author of two books: “Social Media Marketing” and “Developing an Integrated Marketing Plan.”

Feel free to reach out to Dr. Cowley or Dr. Harvey to learn more about the program.