Marketing (BSBA) - Digital Marketing

About

The marketing industry has undergone a fundamental transformation as consumers and businesses increasingly shift their attention from traditional marketing media to digital media. Today, companies must connect with customers and other businesses through digital channels — such as websites, e-newsletters and social media — and adjust their marketing mix in order to succeed.

Despite digital marketing’s prevalence, research by the Harvard Business Review and industry consultants has found that only a small portion of companies feel they use social media effectively.

Appalachian’s Marketing (BSBA) – Digital Marketing degree helps fill this skills gap by preparing students for the business requirements of digital and social media marketing. Appalachian is one of the few universities in the countries to offer such a program and has partnered with companies to create this opportunity.

After Graduation

Employment: Because this is a skilled-based program, graduates transition into the workplace easily and are prepared to work in any industry.

Graduate school: Students also are prepared to pursue the emerging graduate programs in this field.

People

Alumnus Profile: Christian Torres-Trujillo ’20

“(My) professors … really pushed me to do my best work and in the long run it truly paid off. The faculty always made sure to motivate and inspire us.”

– Christian Torres-Trujillo ’20, digital marketing specialist with TreeHaus Marketing LLC
Faculty Profile: Lubna Nafees

Dr. Lubna Nafees studies how social media influencers shape the attitudes, perceptions and buying habits of consumers.
Student Profile: Kayla Sessoms ’21

“I sought a degree that would be applicable in the current world but would also combine creativity skills and business skills — digital marketing fits all those areas!”
– senior Kayla Sessoms

Courses

Related Programs

Minors

Many marketing students choose management or supply chain management in the Walker College of Business or public relations in the Department of Communication as a second field of study along with marketing coursework.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

American Marketing Association – The largest marketing association in North America, this professional association is for individuals and organizations involved in the practice of teaching and study of marketing worldwide. The Appalachian chapter of AMA is the only professional marketing club on campus and is open to all majors.
Google Online Marketing Challenge – A global competition in which college students use Google AdWords and Google+ to advertise a business or non-profit organization.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

All business students fulfill an international requirement, and an increasing number choose to study abroad through a wide variety of exchange programs. The college maintains partnerships with universities across the globe and continues to expand groundbreaking opportunities in emerging markets.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

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Degrees

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Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

App State’s program is one of only a few that combines digital and social marketing, mobile marketing, analytics and cloud marketing — a mix that places students at a competitive advantage among their peers and in the workplace.
Students benefit from projects guided by professional mentors; participation in digital marketing, social media, mobile marketing competitions; internships; and employer relationships.
Appalachian’s marketing students frequently compete in regional and national events, such as the American Marketing Association, Google or other brands’ digital marketing competitions.
Expert faculty members and industry practitioners collaborate to provide functional business knowledge and practical application of digital marketing principles.
Experiential learning with classroom projects simulates internships and enhances students’ resumes and personal brand.
The Business Career Services at the BB&T Student Leadership Center offers consultation to all business majors on choosing a career, preparing for interviews and exploring internships and employment.
Appalachian’s marketing students frequently compete in regional and national events, such as the National Collegiate Sales Competition.
The Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management offers a minor in digital marketing for non-business majors.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

Digital Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing Specialist
Content Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing Analyst
Social Media Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing and Strategy Specialist
Digital Transformation Specialist

Contacts

Walker College of Business

Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management

James E. Stoddard
Chair
stoddardje@appstate.edu
828-262-6191

Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management
At Appalachian State University, students in the Walker College of Business’ Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management learn to drive industry initiatives that develop customer satisfaction and retention, contribute to company profits and build connections with suppliers, distributors and the community. Students majoring in marketing may select a concentration in general marketing, digital marketing or sales. Students majoring in supply chain management (SCM) learn about logistics, operations, strategic sourcing, process improvement strategies and supply chain technologies, enabling them to compete in the global marketplace and help future employers reduce costs, improve profits and expand their markets. Learn more at marketing.appstate.edu.

Walker College of Business
Accredited and well ranked
- Accredited by AACSB International – the premier global accrediting body for schools of business – since 1976. It is among only one-third of U.S. business schools and 15% of business programs worldwide that hold this accreditation.
- Consistently named one of “The Best Business Schools” by The Princeton Review.
Global Emphasis
- An international requirement of all business majors, which can include study abroad in traditional and emerging markets.
- Opportunities to participate in a variety of short-term international programs in locations throughout the world, which are open to all business majors and designed to develop international business skills and intercultural knowledge — including the Holland Fellows Program for Business Study in Asia, which provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for selected students to gain global business acumen through a semesterlong international sustainable business consulting project, alumni mentorship, career coaching and a uniquely curated business study abroad experience.
- The annual Global Opportunities Conference, which highlights innovative and entrepreneurial ways of addressing global challenges.
Highlighting Sustainability
- Leaders in creating a world where environmental, societal and economic qualities exist in balance to meet the resource needs of today and of future generations.
Outstanding Academics
- Small classes and easy access to faculty, who are focused on teaching and learning and engaged in research.
- An emphasis on practical experience and interaction with professionals through the Boyles Lecture Series, McLeod Entrepreneur Summit, Global Opportunities Conference, Business for Good conference and other annual events.
- Accelerated Admission for select MBA programs
Student Support Services
- Student Support Services that include academic advising, scholarships, the Truist Student Leadership Center, which provides opportunities for business students to build job and life skills through professional and leadership development training, and the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship, which aims to help students and recent alumni launch successful businesses and enhance Western North Carolina’s economy.