Instructor-Led Online Marketing Certificate
Professional Certificate in Marketing Design
Expand your marketing, technical, and design skills
Program Overview
In the Sessions College Professional Certificate in Marketing Design program, students develop skills in the in-demand software that most marketing designers needs to know: Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Students build a skill set in digital image preparation and vector illustration while applying foundation design concepts in color, typography, and identity design.
- Design visual communications using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Learn the fundamentals of visual design.
- Gain practical experience in marketing collateral design.
- Develop essential skills in branding, advertising, and promotional design.
Instructor-Led Program
- Project-based courses from industry-leading design and digital media professionals.
- Learn at your own pace—no mandatory logins or preset meeting times.
- Build skills through mentoring and critique from expert instructors.
Program Curriculum
Designed for the busy adult learner, the Professional Certificate in Marketing Design is a 360-hour program completed in nine months or less studying part time, at your own pace.
Level 1
4218 Photoshop Basics - 60 Hours
Adobe Photoshop is the premiere image manipulation tool for print design, Web design, and photography. You can learn to tame this creative powerhouse of a program in this online Photoshop course. Working with a design pro, you’ll learn the best techniques for common Photoshop jobs including selecting and isolating objects, creating image composites, masking and vignetting images, setting typography, and improving images with retouching and effects. Photoshop Basics course syllabus
4023: Design Foundations - 60 Hours
Color is a fundamental medium for any artist or designer. Typography is what sets designers apart from other artists. Composition, literally the assembly or construction of elements, is the artful arrangement that guides the viewer's eye through an image. In this course, you will analyze everything from Grand Masters to Madison Avenue ads to tubes of toothpaste, and discover how color, type, and composition are combined to create effective and powerful visual communications. Class projects challenge you to build and apply your design skills in application to real-life creative scenarios. Design Foundations course syllabus
4226: Illustrator Basics - 60 Hours
Adobe Illustrator is a powerful and versatile tool for creating illustrations, logos, and graphics for print and the web. You can learn to produce detailed and scalable art in this online Illustrator course. Working with an expert instructor, you'll build a strong foundation, exploring shape tools, drawing tools, layers, the Pen tool (a lesson unto itself) as well as transformations/distortions, type tools, and modifying paths and shapes. Hands-on illustration projects include creating a robot, a series of album covers, a marketing postcard, an advertisement vehicle wrap, and a company logo. Illustrator Basics course syllabus
Level 2
6011: Intro to Marketing - 30 Hours
Today's business clients are looking for designers who can apply their creative talents in ways that enhance strategic business goals. In this online introductory Marketing Design course, you'll learn tried-and-true marketing concepts and explore how they affect the design process. You'll gain a solid grasp of the marketing process, understand key terms and concepts that every marketer uses, and pick up smart questions to ask in client meetings. Intro to Marketing course syllabus
4211: Fundamentals of Logo Design - 30 Hours
Logos are the front line—the identity of a company. They are ubiquitous, and they are vital. In this introductory online logo design course, you'll learn how to design logos that will strengthen the visual image of your own or your client's company. Working with a design pro, you'll explore the development of logos through a series of case studies. Each exercise combines a written, conceptual component with hands-on projects for creating an effective logo. Fundamentals of Logo Design course syllabus
4505: Creative Concept Development - 60 Hours
Where do creative concepts come from? In advertising, illustration, and design, you need to be able generate many ideas for your clients and projects. You can have all the skills in the world, but unless you can develop creative concepts, your products and content will get lost in the sea of what's out there. This online creative concept development course provides you a training in identifying the needs of each project, brainstorming solutions, challenging your assumptions, and testing/evaluating your ideas until you have a winner. Creative Concept Development course syllabus
4050: Marketing Design - 60 Hours
Marketing designers have a daunting task: communicate with visuals and text in a way that entices consumers. Large corporations, small businesses, and non-profits alike require effective marketing design to promote their products and services. In this online marketing course, you'll make design decisions through research, writing, and planning techniques that set marketing designers (and their clients) apart from the competition. Each course lecture features real-life case studies as well as industry best practices for concept development, branding extensions, image-building, presentation, and even non-traditional marketing. Marketing Design course syllabus
Program Outcomes
By completing the program, Professional Certificate in Marketing Design students develop the following competencies:
Marketing
Conceptualize, create and present work that delivers strategic solutions to address business and customer needs.
Technology
Create images and design layouts by effectively and efficiently using design software including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and other industry technologies.
Art/Design Principles
Demonstrate the ability to produce visually compelling work by applying knowledge of color, typography, and composition.
Design Process
Develop strategic advertising and marketing concepts and campaigns for a variety of audiences and social contexts.
A Better Way to Learn
Online
Study 100% online from anywhere with 24/7 access to classes.
Self-paced
Complete your program on your own time in 9 months or less.
Industry Relevant
Develop in-demand skills for your creative field.
Customizable
Customize your program with added courses and concentrations.
Build Your Own Learning Path
This program is adaptable to a wide range of experience levels. Choose the option(s) below that best meet your learning goals.
Option 1
Specialize
New to the field? Simply complete all required courses in the certificate program.
Option 2
Customize
Already have some industry and/or software experience? Customize up to 50% of your programChoose from courses in Web Design, Software, Motion & Video, and more by choosing alternate courses.
Option 3
PLUS
Need more training? After you've completed your program, add concentrations at reduced tuitionChoose from concentrations in Web Design, Digital Photography, Illustration, and more to enhance your creative skills.
Sessions Student Work
Student Work
Career Outlook for Marketing and Advertising Designers
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers develop and implement programs, promotions, and events that create and inspire interest in products or services. Marketing and advertising professionals need to possess analytical skills, communication skills, creativity, decision-making, interpersonal, and technical and organizational skills.
Job Titles
Graduates could be employed as an Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Manager, Marketing Assistant, Fundraiser, Social Media Manager, Event Manager, Copywriter, Media Planner, Marketing Executive, Media Buyer, Public Relations Specialist, Sales Representative, Marketing Research Analyst, e-Commerce Manager, Marketing Manager, Market Researcher, SEO Manager, Account Executive, Advertising Art Director, Sales Manager, Management Analyst, Brand Manager, Event Planner, Campaign Manager, or Account Executive.
Median Annual Wage
According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual wage for advertising and promotions managers was $131,870, and for marketing managers was $157,620 (as of May 2023).
Job Projections
Employment opportunities for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers are projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032.
There are about 34,000 openings projected for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers each year, on average, over the decade.
Based on Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and Indeed Job Outlook data.
What Students Say
I have used many of the skills that I’ve learned from these classes in developing a few items for my employer for job fairs such as flyers and display boards. I am also planning to use these skills to work on a few personal projects.
Getting Started
Our Marketing Design Certificate online application process makes getting started easy, fast, and convenient.
What's the Admissions Process?
Open Admissions.
The Professional Certificate is open admissions, with classes starting each month. To apply for the program, simply complete our free, no-obligation application and select your program options. Applicants are expected to have graduated high school.
How Long is the Program?
Nine Month Program.
The program can be completed in nine months studying on a part time schedule. Since you study at your pace, you may complete it sooner! If you need more time to complete, there is a painless extension policy for an additional 6 months of access for students who qualify based on academic progress.
Will the Program Fit My Schedule?
There are no set login times, so you can complete your program at your own pace in our most flexible program. A designated Student Advisor will track your progress from class to class, providing you support and motivation.
What Software or Supplies Do I Need?
To take this program, you’ll need the following:
- Mac or Windows computer with an Internet connection.
- Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator CC.
- Your computer must meet software manufacturer requirements.
There are no textbook or course material costs to participate in this online program. Student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud software is available to enrolled students.
What are the Program Costs?
Sessions College programs are flexible and affordable. There are no textbooks required; tuition costs include all digital materials.
| Tuition and Fees | Professional Certificate | Professional Certificate PLUS |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $2,550 | $3,550 |
| Registration Fee | $200 | $200 |
| Total Cost | $2,750 | $3,750 |
Paid in Full Discount: Total cost is $2,700 (regularly $2,750) for Professional Certificate students who pay in full. Total cost for Professional Certificate PLUS students who pay in full is $3,700 (regularly $3,750).
Enrollment in any certificate program requires a $200 registration fee (non-refundable after 5 days of enrollment in the program). All tuition and fees must be paid on time, including those paid by third parties.
Can I Use a Payment Plan?
Most definitely. Affording your education is easier with our Payment Plan.
- Pay for your Professional Certificate with 11 monthly payments of $250, or pay for your Professional Certificate PLUS with 13 monthly payments of $288.
- Once you’ve set up your plan, your payments are automatic.
- Your first payment which includes a $200 Registration Fee.
Accreditations
