Internet Marketing Training
Frequently Asked Questions
How will USF’s program certify my team’s interactive marketing expertise?
USF’s end-to-end training program covers all of today’s most critical Internet marketing topics, expanding your team’s knowledge and skills as they progress through the multi-course series. Upon completion of each course, participants will receive a certificate of achievement that certifies their proficiency in essential interactive marketing tools and strategies. Students who earn their certificates in Integrated Online Strategies, Search Engine Marketing and Usability, and Advanced Interactive Marketing and Measurement will also receive a Master Certificate in Internet Marketing at the conclusion of the third course. This credential proves to your clients and/or executive management that your staff has demonstrated expertise in all aspects of Internet marketing. In addition, the master certificate program prepares your team for certification from two prominent industry organizations: Google Advertising Professionals and Web Analytics Association. Click here for more details.
For a more intensive exploration of specific interactive marketing disciplines, USF offers four advanced specialized certificates that cover more complex tools and techniques. Advanced Web Analytics empowers your staff to convert data into profits; Advanced Social Media shows them how to protect your brand, expand your reach and monetize your social networks; Advanced Email Marketing imparts tools and strategies to increase your direct marketing ROI; and Advanced Affiliate Marketing reveals how to create a profitable new revenue stream.
All certificates can be customized with your company name and logo.
How long will it take my employees to complete each course?
Each course consists of eight topic-specific modules and will take approximately 25 to 30 hours to complete. This includes 12 to 16 hours of streaming video presentations plus independent exercises and mastery exams. USF’s standard course progression is one module per week, which allows working professionals to study part-time while maintaining a full workload. Students can work at their own pace but should plan to spend approximately 5 to 7 hours a week on their online lectures, assignments and exams, which will enable them to complete each course within eight weeks.
This timeline may vary for organizations that plan to use USF’s courses as part of a customized training solution, as they may opt to add, remove or change lectures, include instructor-led group discussions, incorporate additional training materials (such as company-specific case studies or team projects), accelerate the pace for more intensive training or make other changes to the course flow.
How are classes conducted online?
Your employees will log into the virtual classroom to view lectures, assignments and messages. Lectures are delivered over the Internet via streaming video; however, students will also receive a copy of all lectures on CD-ROM. This enables them to keep up with their studies even when they have slow connection speeds (under 56K) or no Internet access.
Participants have several ways to ask questions and participate in class discussions, including dedicated message boards, chat rooms and email. Practice exercises and assignments allow students to gain hands-on experience with various Internet technologies, from Squidoo lenses and blogs to YouTube videos and social media. Mastery exams test your employees’ understanding of the concepts and tools they’ve learned.
Organizations that have implemented a customized training solution may have additional course elements, such as instructor-led live sessions (online or on-site), intro and/or wrap-up videos featuring company leaders, customized case studies or various other options.
What type of interaction will my employees have with instructors and each other?
USF’s virtual classroom offers many opportunities for your team to interact with the industry experts who lead the courses and with fellow employees throughout the organization. Through virtual office hours and faculty-monitored chat rooms, message boards and email, your staff will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of accomplished interactive marketing veterans. These same forums allow employees to exchange questions and ideas with one another, resulting in increased communication and collaboration between colleagues in different roles, levels and locations.
In fact, many students report that they actually learn, participate and enjoy themselves more in USF’s online programs than they ever did in traditional classes, workshops or seminars.
Will my team be prepared to sit for the Google Advertising Professional exam and Web Analytics Association certification test after completing USF’s Internet marketing program?
The second course in the series, Search Engine Marketing and Usability, will review the topics your team needs to know to pass the Google Advertising Professional exam and achieve certification as a Qualified Individual. In addition, when you employ two or more Qualified Individuals and maintain a minimum required AdWords spend, your organization is eligible to become a Qualified Company in the Google Advertising Professionals program.
The third course in the series, Advanced Interactive Marketing and Measurement, covers the component parts of the Web Analytics Association (WAA) certification test.
Additional details are available on the certification pages of the Google AdWords and WAA websites.
Do USF’s Internet Marketing courses count toward the IAB Certificate in Interactive Marketing?
Completion of all three courses in the Master Certificate in Internet Marketing program counts 24 hours toward the 40 hours of training required for the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s IAB Certificate in Interactive Advertising.
Is it possible to register employees for individual courses instead of the entire program?
Yes. However, the only way your team will develop a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of interactive marketing is by completing the entire three-course master certificate sequence. This progression is essential for “end-to-end” learning. For an overview of topics by course, please refer to the respective course pages: Integrated Online Strategies, Search Engine Marketing and Usability, or Advanced Interactive Marketing and Measurement.
The advanced specialized certificate courses – Advanced Web Analytics and Advanced Social Media, Advanced Email Marketing and Advanced Affiliate Marketing – have no prerequisites and can be taken as standalone courses. However, most students will find it helpful to have some familiarity with core concepts and tools related to the area of study, either through professional experience or completion of the master certificate program.
Can I try out the program with just a few employees before rolling it out to the entire organization?
Yes; you can start with a pilot program. Register a select group of employees for one of USF’s online courses, and you’ll find that their newly acquired knowledge can increase productivity, communication and collaboration while improving your bottom line. For more details on pilot programs, end-to-end training or customized training solutions, call 800-280-9895 (international: +1 813-620-1096).
Who is the University of San Francisco?
Founded by the Jesuit Fathers in 1855, the University of San Francisco was established as the City of San Francisco’s first institution of higher education. USF is committed to becoming internationally recognized as a premier Jesuit Catholic, urban university with a global perspective and a mission of educating leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world.
The university’s School of Business and Professional Studies – which includes the Masagung Graduate School of Management and the McLaren College of Business – prepares men and women for leadership positions in the public and private sectors.
USF’s 55-acre campus is located on a hilltop near Golden Gate Park, overlooking downtown San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean, and just a short drive from the region’s famed Silicon Valley technology hub. It is home to approximately 9,000 students with diverse ethnic, religious, social and economic backgrounds, and its alumni represent all 50 states and more than 110 countries. USF is recognized as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report.
Are the University of San Francisco and its School of Business and Professional Studies accredited?
The University of San Francisco is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and was a founding member of WASC’s antecedent, the Western College Association (WCA), which granted USF accreditation in 1950.
The McLaren College of Business is accredited by AACSB International (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) – a distinction it has held since 1953. In 1981, the Masagung Graduate School of Management’s MBA program also achieved accreditation from AACSB International, which is the premier accrediting body for business schools.
How can I implement USF’s interactive marketing program at my company?
Call 800-280-9895 (international: +1 813-620-1096) to get started. Our program representatives will be happy to schedule a free needs assessment and demo, and provide details on agency/group discounts. Click here if you’d like to download a copy of our brochure to share with others in your organization.
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