Nonprofit, fully online Western Governors University (WGU) and industry-leading marketing analytics organization Digital Analytics Association (DAA), today announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to help meet the critical workforce need for skilled marketing analytics professionals. Together, WGU and DAA will seek to provide a streamlined approach and expand access to higher education and industry networking opportunities for those who wish to pursue their bachelor’s or master’s degrees through WGU. The partnership will further both organizations’ missions of continuing to develop the talent pipeline in hopes of building a future-ready workforce.
“We are so excited to launch this partnership with Western Governors University,” said Kimberly Mosley, Executive Director at Digital Analytics Association. “We are working together to strengthen the industry by building a rich, diverse pipeline of professionals in analytics.”
Designed with DAA and other industry partners to fulfill the need for positions in the ever-evolving labor market, WGU’s College of Business has launched two new Master of Science in Marketing degrees featuring degree options in Digital Marketing and Marketing Analytics. These programs provide industry-relevant courses in search engine optimization (SEO), content creation, data analytics, e-commerce, and more where students will gain advanced knowledge and skills to help them progress in their career, gain a competitive edge in the job market and maximize their earning potential. WGU’s online marketing master’s degree also aligns with the Online Marketing Certified Associate (OMCA) industry certification and serves as a prep course for those interested in expanding their industry knowledge.
“We are excited to provide WGU students with industry-relevant programs built through industry partnerships,” said Dr. Sandra D. Sjoberg, Associate Dean and Director for Marketing and Innovation Programs at Western Governors University. “The benefits offered by DAA will provide our students with networking and professional development opportunities as they earn their degree. WGU students will be better positioned to showcase their expertise and knowledge giving them an advantage in advancing their careers. Employers will also benefit as the networking and community aspect of our student DAA memberships will help connect qualified applications with open positions. Not only are the MS in Marketing degree programs industry-relevant, but they are also industry-engaging by connecting both faculty and students with professionals in their field of study.”
Under the terms of the agreement between DAA and WGU, students who enroll in WGU – as well as eligible university faculty and staff – will be granted the opportunity to become DAA members and will be afforded access to an array of exclusive benefits focused on professional development, career resources and community and networking. Additionally, students will also be eligible to take advantage of scholarships to make tuition even more affordable. Specifically, the WGU Partner Connect Scholarship is valued at up to $2,500 and is designed for members and employees of WGU’s partners, including DAA, who wish to advance their education. The scholarships will be disbursed in increments of $625 per six-month term and can be renewed for up to four terms based on satisfactory academic performance.
WGU offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology and health professions, including nursing. The university pioneered online, competency-based education, a model that allows individuals to further their education and careers on their own timeline, no matter where they live. This approach allows students to take advantage of prior learning and work-based experience to move through courses at their own pace. Students study, complete coursework and take tests on schedules that fit their lives, advancing as soon as they demonstrate they have mastered the subject matter. All students at WGU who enroll will be paired with a program mentor who has expertise in their chosen degree program and supports students in learning and navigating their educational journeys from enrollment through graduation.
“We’re pleased to partner with the Digital Analytics Association and present their members and employees with an affordable pathway to furthering their education,” said Dr. Terrance Hopson, Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. “In return, this partnership provides not only a unique opportunity for WGU to gain global recognition among the digital analytics community, but also enhances our students’ studies and careers and, in turn, their lives. Similarly, this collaborative effort will help grow our faculty’s network and education through DAA membership.”
For more information about WGU and its partnership with Digital Analytics Association, visit wgu.edu or digitalanalyticsassociation.org.
About Digital Analytics Association
About the Digital Analytics Association (DAA) The DAA is a not-for-profit, volunteer-powered association whose mission is to foster community, advocacy, and professional development that empowers you and your team to deliver value through analytics. Founded in 2004, DAA’s vision is to unlock your potential through analytics. The organization is a community of over 17,000 people around the world, representing a broad spectrum of data expertise and industries. For more information about the DAA, or to become a member, visit the DAA website at www.digitalanalyticsassociation.org.
About WGU
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 140,000 students nationwide and has more than 300,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 25 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu.
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For more information, contact:
Merisa Ashbaugh
314-436-9090