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    Digital Marketing: From Content Creation to Strategic Planning
    Online Program

    Digital Marketing: From Content Creation to Strategic Planning

    by USC Pre-College

    Explore digital marketing through USC's online course, connecting brand voice, content and social media strategy with campaign analysis and data-informed decisions.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Digital Marketing at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Closing soon

    Eligibility

    High-school or secondary students

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14+

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $1,990

    Duration

    4 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next application deadline

    7 October 2026

    Save deadline
    Business & EconomicsMedia Studies
    Language: English
    Sessions / cadence: 5 self-paced modules; 20-25 total hours
    Mentor model: USC Mentor for content questions
    Assessment style: 5 knowledge checks and assignments
    Certificate: USC Certificate of Completion
    Scheduling model: Independent study on your own time
    Faculty: Kristen Schiele, USC Marshall

    Digital Marketing summary

    USC Pre-College introduces digital marketing through brand voice, content creation, social media strategy and analytics. The emphasis connects creative choices with business decisions.

    Students work through recorded teaching, readings, campaign analysis and assignments. This suits learners who want structured subject exploration and can organize independent study.

    What is Digital Marketing: From Content Creation to Strategic Planning?

    Digital Marketing: From Content Creation to Strategic Planning is a USC Pre-College online course exploring how companies communicate with audiences and evaluate marketing decisions. Its focus combines strategic planning, brand voice, content creation, social media and analytics.

    The course features instruction from USC Marshall School of Business faculty, including clinical marketing professor Kristen Schiele. Students study recorded lectures and readings, analyze campaigns and complete assignments independently, with a USC Mentor available for clarifying content questions.

    Why Succeed highlights Digital Marketing

    • The curriculum connects content creation with analytics, helping students consider both audience engagement and campaign performance.

    • Kristen Schiele brings specialist digital marketing and social media expertise from USC Marshall School of Business.

    • Campaign analysis gives students a concrete way to examine marketing techniques beyond simply using social media.

    • Retakeable knowledge checks give independent learners a way to revisit concepts before completing the course.

    Who is Digital Marketing for?

    Best for

    Independent learners interested in how brand storytelling, social media and data work together in marketing.

    Not ideal if

    You want a live classroom experience, academic credit or a course that provides special preference in USC admissions.

    Is Digital Marketing worth it?

    This course is worth considering if you want an organized introduction to marketing that combines creative communication with analytical thinking. Faculty instruction, campaign analysis and module checks provide a clearer study path than browsing disconnected tutorials.

    The tuition makes the decision substantial for an introductory, non-credit course. Judge its value by what you expect to learn and how well independent study suits you; USC explicitly says participation does not guarantee admission or special admissions preference.

    Sean, founder of Succeed

    Sean

    Founder, Succeed

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    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $1,990; includes Access to the chosen online course and materials., Up to three months of course access..

    Dates and time commitment

    4 weeks; 5 self-paced modules; 20-25 total hours.

    Provider details

    Review the USC Pre-College provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: Successful completion earns a non-credit USC Certificate of Completion.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    The course features Kristen Schiele, associate professor of clinical marketing at USC Marshall School of Business. A USC Mentor can answer clarifying questions about course content.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does Digital Marketing need?

    Effort level

    Moderate independent study.

    Best started

    Begin application preparation two to three weeks before your chosen intake's deadline.

    Main challenge

    Maintaining a study routine without scheduled classroom sessions.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft a short explanation of your interest in digital marketing.

    • Gather your own and your parent or guardian's contact information.

    • Choose an optional personal content sample only if it adds something useful.

    • Plan study time across the expected four-week completion period and arrange tuition payment.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in marketing before choosing further study.

    What do students do on Digital Marketing?

    You study the course independently through recorded lectures, readings, digital campaign analysis and assignments. Five module knowledge checks assess your understanding as you work through the material.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Access the course platform using the instructions emailed after full tuition payment.

    2. 2

      Work through the recorded teaching, readings and activities in each module.

    3. 3

      Analyze digital marketing campaigns and content while completing assignments.

    4. 4

      Ask a USC Mentor to clarify course-content questions when needed.

    5. 5

      Complete all modules and earn at least 70 percent on each knowledge check.

    Digital Marketing dates and deadlines

    September intake 1 application deadline

    9 September 2026

    Past

    September intake 2 application deadline

    23 September 2026

    Past

    October intake 2 application deadline

    21 October 2026

    Upcoming

    November intake 1 application deadline

    4 November 2026

    Upcoming

    November intake 2 application deadline

    18 November 2026

    Upcoming

    December intake 1 application deadline

    2 December 2026

    Upcoming

    December intake 2 application deadline

    16 December 2026

    Upcoming

    September intake 1

    14 September 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 14 September 2026.

    Past

    September intake 2

    28 September 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 28 September 2026.

    Past

    October intake 1

    12 October 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 12 October 2026.

    Upcoming

    October intake 2

    26 October 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 26 October 2026.

    Upcoming

    November intake 1

    9 November 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 9 November 2026.

    Upcoming

    November intake 2

    23 November 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 23 November 2026.

    Upcoming

    December intake 1

    7 December 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 7 December 2026.

    Upcoming

    December intake 2

    21 December 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 21 December 2026.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Be at least 14 years old.

    • Be enrolled in a high school or secondary program.

    • International applicants must be proficient in English.

    • Recent graduates and other older applicants may request an exemption.

    • Exemption requests need a statement of no more than 200 words.

    How much does Digital Marketing cost?

    Course tuition

    $1,990 — Per-course tuition.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $35 — Nonrefundable.

    What's included

    Access to the chosen online course and materials., Up to three months of course access.

    How to apply to Digital Marketing

    1. 1

      Create an account or log in through USC's online application portal.

    2. 2

      Choose Digital Marketing: From Content Creation to Strategic Planning and your intended start date.

    3. 3

      Provide contact information for yourself and your parent or guardian.

    4. 4

      Write the short-answer essay explaining your interest and introducing yourself.

    5. 5

      Optionally upload writing, video or social media content that reveals something about you.

    6. 6

      Submit your application and pay the $35 application fee by the intake deadline.

    7. 7

      After admission, pay tuition by the published deadline and complete the required Letter of Understanding.

    Next step with Succeed

    Interested in this programme?

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    Learning format

    The course is completed online and independently through recorded lectures, readings, campaign analysis and assignments across five modules. USC estimates 20-25 total coursework hours, expects completion in four weeks and provides up to 90 days of access.

    The typical course breakdown is 5-6 hours of videos, 7-9 hours of readings and checks, and 8-10 hours of assignments.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Recorded instruction features Kristen Schiele, associate professor of clinical marketing at USC Marshall.

    • A USC Mentor can answer clarifying questions about course content.

    • The learning platform includes chat features and messages from USC Mentors and staff.

    • Technical access questions can be emailed to precollegeonline@usc.edu.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Recorded teaching and assignments are completed on your own schedule.
    • Plan for approximately 20-25 total hours of independent coursework.
    • The expected completion period is four weeks, with 90 days of access.
    • Domestic and international applicants use the same online application.

    Tech requirements

    • Use a computer, tablet or phone.

    • Have internet access.

    • Use a web browser to access USC's online learning platform.

    Assessment style

    Assessment combines course assignments with multiple-choice knowledge checks at the end of each module.

    • Complete all five content modules.
    • Take a knowledge check at the end of each module.
    • Score at least 70 percent on each knowledge check.
    • Retake knowledge checks as many times as needed.
    • Complete course content, videos and assignments to earn the certificate.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    Successful completion earns a non-credit USC Certificate of Completion.

    • Complete the course assignments.

    • Request a USC Pre-College Programs course transcript.

    Digital Marketing FAQs

    Topics include strategic marketing plans, brand voice, content creation, social media platforms and analytics. Students also explore user experience and how data informs marketing decisions.

    USC estimates approximately 20-25 hours of coursework and expects completion in four weeks. Students have up to 90 days of access if they need longer.

    The course features Kristen Schiele, associate professor of clinical marketing at USC Marshall School of Business. A USC Mentor can answer clarifying questions about course content.

    Complete all five modules and course requirements, including assignments, and score at least 70 percent on each module's knowledge check. Knowledge checks can be retaken as needed.

    The course is non-credit-bearing. USC says participation does not guarantee admission or special preference in the admissions process.

    Yes. Domestic and international applicants use the same application, and international applicants must be proficient in English.

    You can access the materials from a computer, tablet or phone with internet access and a web browser. USC provides its online platform details to admitted students.

    The application fee is nonrefundable; written tuition-refund requests must be made no more than three days after the course starts. All participants sign the Letter of Understanding, and minors also need a parent or guardian signature.

    Alternatives to Digital Marketing

    Compare these related programs if you want broader business study, entrepreneurship or a design-focused direction.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • USC Online Application Management
    • USC Online Exploration Courses Policies | USC Pre-College
    • USC Pre-College Online FAQs | USC Pre-College
    • Online Digital Marketing Course | USC Pre-College
    • Online Digital Marketing Course | USC Pre-College

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)

    • Official course page checked

    • Intake deadlines checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Tuition and fees checked

    • Certificate requirements reviewed

    • Scholarship conflict flagged

    • Refund policy reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.