Canadian Digital Marketing Course Breakdown: Who Should You Choose?
Although digital marketing services have been offered since the 1990s, the business still hasn’t made its way into mainstream education. While many traditional institutions offer marketing degrees, they are often focused on traditional tactics, treating digital marketing as a side thought, or an add-on. This leads to incomplete or outdated education for up-and-coming digital marketers, who may end up entering the job market at a disadvantage. For employers, the gap in digital marketing education in Canada has been an ongoing pain point, especially as the industry grows and the search for qualified talent intensifies.
Luckily, in Canada, there is a range of digital marketing courses available from non-traditional entities. These courses offer in-person and remote teachings in exchange for branded and industry certificates. But, how do you know which option is right for you?
We're here to help you breakdown what matters and what doesn't in a digital marketing course. From certificate qualifications to instructor diversity, here is everything you need to know when choosing a digital marketing course in Canada.
What To Look For In A Digital Marketing Course
Everyone has different needs when it comes to education. Time, budget, length, and professional networking should all be factors when choosing a digital marketing course. There are also more nuanced factors to consider. For example, digital marketing is a diverse field that speaks to a global audience, so it's important to find a course that has international reach. The instructors should have diverse backgrounds and be industry leaders in their own right. In addition, the course curriculum should encompass all aspects of digital marketing so you can gain a holistic understanding of the field.
Here are a few of our top considerations when looking for the best digital marketing course.
Industry Certificates vs. Branded Certificates
When it comes to digital marketing education, there are generally two types of certificates you can earn:
Branded certificates
Industry recognized certificates
Source: Brainstation
Branded certificates are the certificates that are issued by a digital marketing course provider, such as General Assembly or BrainStation. These types of certificates are common, as they don't require collaboration with outside bodies. A branded certificate is beneficial because it shows your commitment to learning and mastering digital marketing skills. They can be displayed on LinkedIn or included in an online portfolio, which can help set you apart from other job applicants.
One downside to branded certificates is that if the teaching body ceases to exist, the certificate is rendered meaningless. We’ve seen this happen before with institutions like RED Academy, and the repercussions for students can be tragic.
On the other hand, industry-recognized certificates are earned by completing a course that has been accredited by an external organization like Google or Facebook. These certificates give you specific training on the tools you will use in your career, such as Google Analytics, Facebook Advertising, and HubSpot CRM.
Industry-recognized certifications are a great asset for students looking to land industry jobs, as they prove you are already familiar with the software and strategies you’ll be using day-to-day. For prospective employers, industry certificates show that you have taken the initiative to stay ahead of the curve and up-to-date in your field. Plus, industry certificates are unlikely to become invalid, as global superpowers like Facebook and Google have more lasting market stay.
TIP: Look for an educational body that offers both branded and industry-recognized certificates. This will ensure you get comprehensive digital marketing training, as well as tool-specific training that is recognized by employers.
Scholarships Or Bursaries
When it comes to digital marketing courses, scholarships and bursaries are always a welcome addition. Bursaries can help reduce the cost of tuition, while scholarships can give students an opportunity to focus on their studies without having to stress about finances.
Digital marketing courses that are located in Canada often offer scholarship and bursary opportunities. For example, the Digital Marketing Foundations Course offered by BCIT has ample financial aid opportunities through the institute itself.
Courses offered by international bodies, such as the Digital Marketing Institute may not be able to offer the same level of financial aid.
TIP: If you're looking for a program that can offer scholarships or bursaries, concentrate on Canadian-led institutions, such as Jelly Academy, Alacrity, and BCIT.
Diverse Instructors & Industry Leaders
The digital marketing field prides itself on being innovative, modern, and diverse. As such, prospective digital marketers should seek out instructors who have a variety of backgrounds and skillsets to draw upon.
A strong digital marketing course should have instructors from different demographics, including but not limited to gender, race, age, and educational background. These instructors should be advertised openly and you should be able to vet their experience before taking the course.
Similarly, look for courses that have partnerships with or are taught by Canadian industry leaders. These leaders can offer valuable insights into what employers are looking for and how to stay up-to-date in an ever-changing market.
TIP: If a course does not have its instructors listed, request information from the offering body.
Source: General Assembly
Flexible Course Offerings
It goes without saying that everyone's experience of education is different. People have different goals, different paths, and different learning styles that work for them. You may want to choose a digital marketing course that offers flexible learning because you want to continue working a day job while you study. Other people might be looking for a quick intensive that can catapult them into the job market. There are no wrong answers when it comes to choosing the best educational path for your lifestyle.
When choosing a digital marketing course, consider your capacity, your learning needs, and your geographic location. The best course for you may be one that offers pre-recorded online learning, or you may want to take a full-fledged bootcamp that is in-person.
The best digital marketing courses should offer flexible avenues for students to learn and grow, so don’t be afraid to shop around until you find what’s right for you.
TIP: Consider courses that offer a mix of pre-recorded and live learning so you can get instant feedback when needed, but not be tied to a set schedule.
How To Choose Digital Marketing Education In Canada?
There are a few different types of digital marketing courses you can take in Canada. These courses offer a mix of branded and industry certificates, remote and in-person learning, and live and pre-recorded courses.
When choosing a digital marketing course, consider what your goals are for learning the subject. Are you just looking to learn how to use social media? Are you looking for a complete career change? Some courses may offer individual certificates in certain areas, while others will require enrollment for a full course.
Here are a few options for digital marketing education in Canada for 2022:
Jelly Academy: Digital Marketing 6 Week Course
Alacrity Canada: Digital Marketing Bootcamp
Digital Marketing Institute: Certified Digital Marketing Professional
General Assembly: Digital Marketing Course
Brainstation: Digital Marketing Course Online
Hannah Macready is a creative copywriter from Vancouver, BC. Her favourite things include crafting the perfect headline, a cool drink on a warm day, and playing with her two dogs Soup and Salad.