Online Integrated Marketing Communications Certificates

Students in integrated marketing communications certificate programs are taught the practice of using multiple marketing techniques in a consistent and complementary way. Many schools offer online certificate programs in integrated marketing communications. These programs incorporate advertising, promotions and electronic media courses in addition to marketing and public relations classes.

Online Certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications Information and Details

Online integrated marketing communications certificate programs teach students how to use different aspects of advertising, promotion, electronic media and customer relationship management to deliver positive messages about products and services. Students in the program take courses in advertising, public relations, media management and marketing. Most programs do not have educational pre-requisites, but many recommend applicants have a bachelor degree in marketing or communications.

Program Details and Requirements

Most online integrated marketing certificate programs can be completed within a year, but students are allowed up to three years to finish their coursework. These programs incorporate media, communications and marketing courses, and most schools allow students to complete the entire program online.
Some schools will also allow students to take courses in a traditional classroom, though it is not required. Students access course materials and lectures through their school's website and upload their completed work for grading. Many schools also incorporate chat clients (instant messenging) and online forums so that students can communicate with instructors and each other.
Although some schools have specific technical requirements for their online programs, students should be able to complete coursework if their computers are running a current operating system and an Internet browser that has plug-ins to view, listen to and read various types of media. Some schools may ask students to purchase CD-ROMs or additional software for certain courses.

List of Common Courses and Information

Students in online integrated marketing certificate program take courses that incorporate media studies, communication and different aspects of marketing.

Introduction to Advertising Course

Students are taught the role of advertising in a comprehensive marketing plan. The course also covers consumer behavior and how advertisements are conceived and produced.

Marketing Communications Course

This course covers direct marketing, promotion, customer relations and electronic media. Students complete the course by preparing their own integrated marketing plan.

Direct Marketing Course

Students in this course are trained to utilize the Internet, catalogs, telemarketing, broadcast media and other forms of mass communication to market products and services to consumers. The course also discusses consumer response and how to gauge the effectiveness of each technique.

Public Relations Course

This course covers the development and implementation of public relations strategies in marketing plans. Students analyze and discuss different concepts and approaches to public relations and the technical aspects of successful public relations campaigns.

Career Outlook and Information for Graduates

Graduates of integrated marketing communications certificate programs are typically already professionals in the marketing or advertising industries looking to move into advanced or management positions with their newly-acquired skills. According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2008 the median annual salary for marketing managers was around $100,000. Due to the importance of marketing managers within the corporate world, they are not usually at risk of downsizing or layoffs, so their positions are also typically stable (www.bls.gov).