MSDM Onboarding Steps for Admitted Students

From Admission to Curriculum Plan

Welcome to MSDM! This page outlines the key steps you’ll take before the program begins, including important tasks, resources, and your final curriculum plan submission. Move through the sections in order to stay on track.
Published

January 9, 2026

Instructions

Important

Congratulations on your acceptance into the program! Welcome to the MSDM Admitted Student Resource Hub. This page provides essential information to help you transition smoothly into the program—from activating your accounts and submitting required documents to understanding curriculum options, choosing your degree emphasis, and planning your roadmap. Use this guide as your starting point to complete key onboarding tasks and explore the academic decisions that will shape your MSDM journey.

Most importantly, you will need to meet with me to review the curriculum and finalize your decisions. To make the most of our 20-minute meeting, please come prepared by reviewing the curriculum, considering your roadmap options, and identifying any questions you would like to discuss. Thoughtful preparation will help us use our time together effectively.

1 Key Actions You Must Take Soon after Your Admission

  1. Claim your Bronco ID and activate your Bronco Email.

  2. Activating MyCPP Login with two-factor authentification

  3. Check your CPP and personal email regularly for university and program updates.

  4. Submit your Intent to Enroll.

  5. Request an I-20 (Only for International Students)

  6. Meet your faculty academic advisor/Program Director.

  7. Submit your Curriculum Contract Form and Roadmap Worksheet.

    • Failure to submit the curriculum contract and roadmap worksheet will result in an academic hold, which will prevent you from registering for future courses.

  8. Register for courses.

2 Helpful Websites for Admitted Students

The list should cover all you need, but if something is missing, let me know.

3 Video Presentation about the Program & Curriculum

3.1 Topics in the video

  • 00:00 – Welcome & Session Overview

  • 00:40 – Meet the Program Director (Dr. Jay Jang)

  • 01:30 – About Cal Poly Pomona: Location & Campus Environment

  • 03:30 – Learn-by-Doing Philosophy & Student Diversity

  • 05:10 – Rankings, ROI & Why CPP is a High-Value Choice

  • 07:30 – College of Business Administration & AACSB Accreditation

  • 09:30 – IBM Department & Where MSDM Fits

  • 11:30 – Partner College (CPGE / Extended University) Explained

  • 14:00 – MSDM Learning Goals: What You’ll Be Able to Do

  • 16:30 – Admissions Requirements & Required Documents

  • 21:00 – Deadlines, Rolling Admissions & Guidance for International Students

  • 24:00 – Contact Information: Who to Reach for Program & Enrollment Questions

  • 25:00 – What Makes MSDM Unique: Digital Marketing + Marketing Analytics Tracks

  • 28:30 – Career Paths & Job Roles in Digital Marketing & Analytics

  • 31:00 – Curriculum Structure: Core Courses, Electives & Emphasis Options

  • 35:00 – 2-Year vs 1-Year Roadmap & Capstone Project Experience

  • 40:00 – Faculty, Center for Customer Insights & Hands-On Tools

  • 44:00 – Key Features: STEM Designation, Hybrid Format & Completion Time

  • 47:00 – Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid / On-Campus Jobs

  • 51:00 – MSDM vs MBA vs MS Business Analytics (Program Comparison)

  • 56:00 – Scholarships, TA/RA Opportunities & Professional Development Support

  • 59:30 – Micro-Internships, CPT/OPT & Paid Client Projects

  • 1:03:00 – Center Events, Portfolio Websites & Networking Opportunities

  • 1:06:30 – MSDM Society Student Club & Leadership Roles

  • 1:09:00 – Employers, Early Outcomes & Next Steps for Applicants

  • 1:11:00 – FAQs & Closing Remarks

4 Step 1: Start Filling out Curriculum Contract Form

To plan for your curriculum, fill out the Curriculum Contract Form available below. If you have any question about the curriculum, you are welcome to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor1 before you complete the Curriculum Contract Form below.

In this contract form, you will be asked to do three big tasks:

  1. Selecting Your degree emphasis:

    • Digital Marketing Strategy (DMS),

    • Marketing Analytics (MA)

    • Balanced

  2. Selecting Your completion roadmap:

    • 1-year

    • 1.5-year

    • 2-year

  3. Planing your roadmap with worksheet and sending it to the academic advisor.

ImportantStart Working on the Curriculum Contract Form
TipTips

In deciding the two things above, refer to the next four sections, which are listed below

Once you made an informed decision. fill out the curriculum contract form below and email a roadmap spreadsheet to your academic advisor, who is the MSDM program director.

5 Step 2: Know the Curriculum (Degree Emphasis) Options

Caution

It is important that you align your aspired job roles after graduation with the Degree Emphasis. To learn about career and job roles, refer to Typical Job Roles in Digital Marketing section of the Careers page and come back here to proceed.

It is a screenshot of the MS in Digital Marketing Program Curriculum

MS in Digital Marketing Program Curriculum

For the Curriculum Overview, you may visit the official web page for the curriculum, but the implication is that there are basically three curriculum options for you. Select the one that would be best match for your aspired career path. In Step 4, you will be provided with the factors to consider when choosing degree emphasis.

  • Three Curriculum (Degree Emphasis) Options

    1. Digital Marketing Strategy (DMS) Emphasis

      • This emphasis is best suited for students who want to have a career in Content & Creative Roles, such as Content Writer/SEO Writer and Social Media Manager.
      • For Major Electives: Emphasis Recommended, choose all 10 units under DMS Emphasis: IBM 6100, IBM 6150, IBM 6250, and IBM 6300
      • For Major Electives: Emphasis Other, choose IBM 6450 and one more course from any other graduate-level IBM-prefix courses or GBA 5140.

    2. Marketing Analytics (MA) Emphasis

      • This emphasis is best suited for students who want to have a career in Marketing Data Specialist Roles such as Marketing Data Scientist, Marketing Engineer, and Marketing Data Analyst.
      • For Major Electives: Emphasis Recommended, choose all 10 units under MA Emphasis: IBM 6520, IBM 6530, IBM 6540, and IBM 6600
      • For Major Electives: Emphasis Other, choose IBM 6700 and one more course from any other graduate-level IBM-prefix courses or GBA 6520.

    3. Balanced/Customized

      • This track is best suited for students who want to have a career in various Technical & Performance Roles such as SEO Specialist, PPC Specialist, Email Marketing Specialist, Marketing data analyst, except for Marketing Data Scientist or Marketing Engineer, for which MA Emphasis will be a better fit.

      • If you want to be well-rounded so that you can be prepared for various digital marketing roles across content, performance, and analytics, balanced option will be ideal.

      • This option allows you to choose courses from both emphases to tailor to your career needs and your current set of skills and knowledge. For example, if you have been working as a social media coordinator for an organization and want to keep pursuing your career on Content and Creative Roles, you should have pretty good working knowledge about social media platforms and strategy. In that case, there is no reason to take IBM 6250 (Social Media Marketing); instead, you can take any other remaining electives (from MA Emphasis) to expand your skills and knowledge.

6 Step 3: Know Curriculum Completion Roadmap Options

Each course is offered only once per year in a designated term due to prerequisites and scheduling constraints.

6.1 2-Year Completion Roadmap

6.2 1-Year Completion Roadmap

6.3 Spring Admits

Students starting in Spring can finish in 2 years or 1.5 years.

In the first fall semester, Spring admits can take:

  • IBM 6010 (Make-up)

  • IBM 5910 (Make-up)

  • IBM 6500 (Required for second fall)

  • IBM 6200 (Required for second fall)

7 Step 4: Consider These Factors When Choosing Degree Emphasis

Choosing between Digital Marketing Strategy, Marketing Analytics, and Balanced/Mixed Option requires careful thought. Below are key factors to guide your decision.

7.1 Post-Graduation Career Goal

Entry to mid-level career jobs in Digital Marketing can be grouped under three big categories before they move into leadership roles. For details about the taxonomy, refer to Typical Job Roles in Digital Marketing.

  1. Content & Creative Roles

  2. Techncial & Performance Roles

  3. Analytics (Marketing Data Specialist) Roles

TipRecommendations

Based on the immediate career goal right after graduation, my recommendation for Degree Emphasis would be different as follows:

  • If you prefer to take Content & Creative Roles, such as content writer/SEO writer, copy writer, social media manager, and graphics/visual designer –> choose Digital Marketing Strategy Emphasis.

  • If you prefer to take Technical & Performance Roles, such as SEO Specialist, PPC Specialist, and Email Marketing Specialist –> choose Balanced/Mixed Option.

  • If you prefer to take Analytics (Marketing Data Specialist) Roles, such as Marketing Data Analytist, Marketing Data Scientist, and Marketing Data Engineer –> choose Marketing Analytics Emphasis.

7.2 Upward mobility

Many students pursue a master’s degree to advance their careers.

Note on career stage: Strategy and leadership roles are often mid-career+. Many MSDM graduates start in specialist roles (content, performance, or analytics) and move into strategy/leadership after building execution + measurement + cross-functional experience. The pathway for the students would be like this:

  • Entry-level: Coordinator, Specialist, Analyst (Jr.)

  • Mid-level: Manager, Strategist, Senior Specialist/Analyst

  • Senior: Lead, Director, Head of Growth/Marketing

A common pattern is:

  • Students with digital marketing work experience often reach a ceiling due to limited analytics skills.

  • Higher-level roles (e.g., Director, VP of Digital Marketing) generally require balanced knowledge of strategy and analytics.

TipRecommendations:

  • If you already have several years of digital marketing experience → Consider Marketing Analytics courses.

  • If you handle data but lack confidence in statistics or machine learning → Strengthen your Marketing Analytics foundation.

7.3 Pay (ROI) Considerations

Salaries in digital marketing vary by role type (creative vs. performance vs. analytics vs. strategy/leadership), location, and experience level. The figures below are U.S. national estimates shown as:

  • Blended average = mean of ZipRecruiter + Glassdoor + Salary.com

  • Typical range + top earners = ZipRecruiter 25th–75th percentile, plus 90th percentile (where available)

Tip for students: Use these as directional benchmarks, then check “in your area” estimates and real internship/job postings in your target city.

Below are the salary information as of January 6, 2026.

  1. Content & Creative Roles

    • Content Writer / SEO Writer — Blended avg: ~$80K (ZipRecruiter $84,151; Glassdoor ~$84K; Salary.com $72,912).
      ZipRecruiter typical $49K–$96.5K; top earners $186K.

    • Copywriter — Blended avg: ~$79K (ZipRecruiter $76,412; Glassdoor $86,199; Salary.com $73,481).
      ZipRecruiter typical $58K–$86.5K; top earners $121.5K.

    • Social Media Manager — Blended avg: ~$83K (ZipRecruiter $64,845; Glassdoor $71,474; Salary.com $112,750).
      ZipRecruiter typical $47.5K–$76.5K; top earners $95.5K.
      Note: Salary.com’s figure is much higher here, which is why the blended average rises. (Not “wrong,” just a different data/model mix.) Salary.com

    • Graphic Designer — Blended avg: ~$63K (ZipRecruiter $55,951; Glassdoor $63,801; Salary.com $69,387).
      ZipRecruiter typical $41.5K–$65K; top earners $77.5K.

    • Visual Designer (often UI/UX-leaning) — Blended avg: ~$91K (ZipRecruiter $97,173; Glassdoor $105,186; Salary.com $71,867).
      ZipRecruiter typical $71.5K–$120.5K; top earners $160K.

  2. Technical & Performance Roles

    • SEO Specialist — Blended avg: ~$84K (ZipRecruiter $67,388; Glassdoor $85,944; Salary.com $99,062).
      ZipRecruiter typical $53K–$75K; top earners $90K.

    • Paid Search / PPC Specialist — Blended avg: ~$77K (ZipRecruiter Paid Search Specialist $56,423; Glassdoor Paid Search Specialist $82,605; Salary.com Paid Search Specialist $92,325).
      ZipRecruiter typical $46K–$66K; top earners $77K.
      Note: looking at Paid Search / SEM titles across sources generally produces a higher (and often more realistic) benchmark than the narrower “PPC Specialist” label alone. Glassdoor

    • Email Marketing Specialist — Blended avg: ~$73K (ZipRecruiter $69,583; Glassdoor $76,107; Salary.com $72,172).
      ZipRecruiter typical $54.5K–$78K; top earners $111K.

    • (In job postings, PPC is also commonly labeled “Paid Search,” “SEM Specialist,” or “Performance Marketing.”)

  3. Analytics Roles

    • Marketing Data Analyst — Blended avg: ~$82K (ZipRecruiter $92,811; Glassdoor $82,855; Salary.com $71,188).
      ZipRecruiter typical $72K–$112K; top earners $129.5K.
    • Marketing Data Scientist — Blended avg: ~$137K (ZipRecruiter $165,018; Glassdoor $127,657; Salary.com Data Scientist $118,402 used as closest comparable national benchmark).
      ZipRecruiter typical $133.5K–$170K; top earners $243K. ZipRecruiter
      • Note: Salary.com’s page labeled exactly “Marketing Data Scientist” appears to map to a much lower pay band than what ZipRecruiter/Glassdoor show for the same title, so using Salary.com’s Data Scientist benchmark is usually closer to market reality for this role family.
    • Data Scientist (general) — Blended avg: ~$132K (ZipRecruiter $122,738; Glassdoor $153,566; Salary.com $118,402).
      ZipRecruiter typical $98.5K–$136K; top earners $173K.

  4. Strategy & Leadership Roles (often mid-career+)

    • Digital Marketing Manager — Blended avg: ~$111K (ZipRecruiter $87,719; Glassdoor $130,412; Salary.com $115,281).
      ZipRecruiter typical $68.5K–$100K; top earners $122K.
    • Marketing Manager — Blended avg: ~$104K (ZipRecruiter $83,488; Glassdoor $106,785; Salary.com $121,659).
      ZipRecruiter typical $60K–$98K; top earners $125K.
TipTips

If you’re aiming for the highest ROI (typically, higher pay), analytics roles are often the best path. In that case, consider choosing the Marketing Analytics emphasis.

7.4 Job Prospects (Domestic vs. International Students)

7.4.1 Domestic Students

Generally secure employment after completing the program, if flexible with pay.

7.4.2 International Students

Face different hiring realities:

  • Companies must demonstrate they cannot fill the job with a U.S. citizen to sponsor an H-1B Visa.

  • U.S. candidates are plentiful in creative and implementation roles (social media, digital marketing execution).

  • Fewer U.S. candidates pursue STEM-related analytics roles, making international students more competitive in jobs in Analytics Roles and Technical & Performance Roles.

TipBottom line:

In general, international students seeking U.S. employment are often better off choosing the Marketing Analytics emphasis or the Balanced/Mixed option.

7.4.3 Strategic Consideration

You are not required to follow the recommended elective lists exactly. Choose the courses that best strengthen your skills and make you a well-rounded professional. We support a customized curriculum within the allowed electives. This makes the Balanced/Mixed Option attractive.

8 Step 5: Consider These Factors in Choosing a 1-Year vs. 2-Year Roadmap

As you prepare for your curriculum contract and make an appointment to meet with me, I want to provide you with some information to consider in your decision to choose a 1-year vs. a 2-year completion roadmap. 

Recommended if any of the following are true

  • You are working while in the program.

  • You have limited preparation in math, statistics, or programming.

  • You want more time to strengthen English skills.

  • You are an international student who needs time to acclimate.

  • You want to participate fully in extracurricular activities (club, competitions, workshops, symposiums).

Doable if most of the following apply

  • You do not have a job or family responsibilities.

  • You have taken college algebra, calculus, and at least one statistics course.

  • You earned a BS in Business Administration from an AACSB-accredited university.

  • You are an international student planning to return home immediately after graduation and want to minimize cost.

  • Financial Impact: 1-Year vs. 2-Year Roadmap

    Tuition is the same overall, but auxiliary fees differ:

    • Auxiliary fees: ~$850/semester, ~$400/summer

    • Two-year students pay more total auxiliary fees

    • One-year students save approximately $2,100

9 Step 6: Plan Your Roadmap with Worksheets

Use one of the worksheets below to plan your curriculum roadmap for the duration of your study. As you plan, be sure to follow the Course Registration Instructions.

For more information about the curriculum completion roadmap, see the Curriculum Roadmap Section.

9.1 Fall-Admitted Students

9.2 Spring-Admitted Students

10 Step 7: Submit the Curriculum Contract Form and Curriculum Worksheet to Your Advisor

  1. Fill out the Curriculum Contract form introduced in the Start Filling out Curriculum Contract Form section. When you click the submit button on the Google form, your advisor will receive the form. At the same time, you will receive a copy for your reference.

  2. In the form, you will be asked to fill out a Curriculum Roadmap Worksheet (Excel spreadsheet) and send it to the academic advisor (Dr. Jae Jung). To do so, download the file, save it with your first name_last name in front of the file name, choose the correct worksheet for your roadmap, fill out the worksheet, and email the completed worksheet to the academic advisor.

  3. Once I receive an email with your Curriculum Roadmap Worksheet, I will review it and give you feedback.

  4. Your Curriculum Worksheet will be placed under your folder. If you ever needs to change curriculum later, contact me. I will be happy to discuss with you and assisting you in finding best courses for your career path.

11 Step 8: Register for Courses

  1. Before registering each semester, review your Curriculum Completion Roadmap Worksheet. It helps you plan course sequencing and stay on track for graduation.

  2. For detailed on courses available for a specific semester, go to the Course Registrationtab in the menu.

  3. After you register for your first semester, consider taking Boot Camp short courses if you’d like to strengthen your skills in Excel or R (including Statistics).

  4. You can also review Course-Skill-Tools alignment table to better understand what each course emphasizes and what to expect.

Footnotes

  1. Program director (Dr. Jung) is your academic advisor.↩︎