Introduction: The Phoenix metropolitan area offers diverse educational opportunities for search engine optimization (SEO) training, catering to various learning styles and professional objectives. This article examines the available university courses, professional certification programs, and industry conferences in Phoenix, providing detailed information on curriculum, duration, cost, and certification opportunities to help marketing professionals make informed decisions about their SEO education.
University-Based SEO Education Programs
The University of Phoenix provides structured SEO education as part of its digital marketing curriculum through specialized courses designed for working professionals seeking to enhance their digital marketing skills.
MKT446: Search Engine Optimization Course
This 5-week online course offers comprehensive training in SEO fundamentals and advanced techniques. The curriculum focuses on practical applications that students can implement immediately in their professional contexts.
Key Learning Objectives
Students who complete this course will be able to: - Perform competitive analysis to identify SEO opportunities and threats - Create data-driven keyword strategies aligned with business objectives - Design website architecture optimized for search engine crawling and indexing - Develop page-level strategies for on-page optimization - Create content and social media strategies that enhance website discoverability - Identify techniques and tools that enhance search results across various user interfaces
Course Structure and Requirements
- Format: Online with mandatory attendance and participation
- Duration: 5 weeks
- Credits: 3 credits
- Total Cost: $1,364 ($398 per credit + $170 resource fees)
- Materials: All required materials are covered in the resource fees
The course emphasizes practical skills that can be applied across different digital marketing contexts. Students learn to integrate SEO with broader digital marketing strategies for maximum impact.
Digital Marketing Course with SEO Focus
While not exclusively an SEO course, the University of Phoenix's digital marketing curriculum includes substantial SEO content within a broader digital marketing context.
Curriculum Components
The course covers: - Fundamentals of building comprehensive digital marketing plans - Social media marketing strategies and implementation - SEO principles and best practices - Methods to improve organic and referral web traffic - Leveraging owned, earned, and paid channels for content distribution - Analytical approaches to increase engagement across digital properties - Mobile platform optimization strategies
This interdisciplinary approach helps students understand how SEO integrates with other digital marketing channels to create cohesive marketing strategies.
Academic Policies
Both University of Phoenix courses have specific policies that prospective students should consider: - Attendance and participation are mandatory in all courses - Specific requirements may differ by course - Students who fail to meet attendance requirements may be removed from the course - The University reserves the right to modify courses - Program availability varies by state - Credit transferability is at the discretion of the receiving institution
Professional SEO Certification Programs
Market Motive offers an Advanced SEO certification program designed for professionals seeking comprehensive, practical SEO training with industry-recognized credentials.
Comprehensive Curriculum
The program covers SEO from fundamental concepts to advanced strategies, with emphasis on real-world application:
Core SEO Skills
- Mastering fundamental to advanced SEO skills applicable in real-life scenarios
- Understanding organic traffic principles and methods to attract targeted visitors
- Comprehending search engine functioning and algorithms
- Developing effective keyword management and research techniques
- Implementing on-page and off-page optimization strategies
- Building authoritative backlink profiles through ethical link building
- Troubleshooting common technical SEO issues
Data Analysis and Decision Making
- Collecting and analyzing data efficiently using multiple research methods
- Making well-defined marketing decisions based on research insights
- Using analytics to evaluate SEO tactic effectiveness
- Identifying areas for improvement through detailed performance analysis
Practical Applications
- Increasing website search engine rankings through proven techniques
- Managing websites and addressing technical issues when required
- Expanding analytical skills through comprehensive SEO studies
Learning Experience and Resources
The certification program provides multiple learning formats to accommodate different learning preferences:
Instructional Components
- 365 days of course access for flexible learning schedules
- 30+ hours of self-paced video content
- 15+ hours of live instructor-led online classes
- Approximately 20 real-life industry-based projects for hands-on experience
Instructional Team
The course is led by Matt Bailey, an expert internet marketer who serves as: - President of SiteLogic - Author of "Internet Marketing: An Hour A Day" - Advisory Board member for Incisive Media's Search Engine Strategies Conferences - Highest-rated speaker at Search Engine Strategies Conferences
Learning Resources
The program includes: - Enriching video lessons covering all SEO topics - Downloadable workbooks for reference and note-taking - Practical exercises for skill development - Sample projects demonstrating real-world applications
Target Audience and Prerequisites
The certification program serves diverse professionals seeking to enhance their SEO expertise:
Primary Beneficiaries
- Marketing Managers
- Digital Marketing Executives
- Content Writers
- Marketing and Sales Professionals
- Management, Engineering, Business, and Communication Graduates
- Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
Prerequisites and Recommendations
While no formal prerequisites exist, Market Motive recommends: - Completion of their Search Engine Optimization Foundations course first - Basic working knowledge of HTML - Understanding of search engine fundamentals - Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications
Certification Process and Requirements
The program offers two levels of certification with distinct requirements:
Market Motive Certification
To earn Market