Bridge Creativity and Commerce with Data-Driven Skills

In today’s dynamic and competitive landscape, professionals in fashion, events, and hospitality need more than creative vision—they need the ability to make data-informed decisions. Whether you’re focused on fashion design, apparel merchandising, event planning, or hospitality management, understanding the digital marketplace through analytics is key to driving growth and staying ahead.

The Digital Marketplace Analytics graduate certificate is designed for forward-thinking professionals and students who want to strengthen their business expertise with practical, data-driven tools. Offered through a collaboration between the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management and the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics, this program empowers you to analyze consumer behavior, track industry trends, and apply business analytics to real-world challenges.

You won’t just learn the tools—you’ll learn how to apply them in meaningful ways. For instance, fashion designers can use digital marketplace analytics to identify emerging trends by tracking consumer search behavior and social media engagement, helping them design collections that resonate with target audiences. Event professionals can analyze ticket sales, attendee demographics, and digital interactions to fine-tune marketing campaigns and improve event experiences. In hospitality, managers might leverage guest reviews and booking data to optimize pricing strategies, enhance service offerings, and increase customer loyalty. No matter your focus, the ability to turn data into actionable insight is a powerful asset that can elevate your creative and business impact.

Ideal for working professionals or graduate students looking to enhance their skillset, the certificate provides a foundation in data analytics, consumer insight evaluation, and strategic decision-making—tools you can use to boost brand performance, improve guest experiences, and innovate across fashion and hospitality sectors.

Highlights

  • Nine credits in the Ivy College of Business.
  • Six elective credits in the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management.
  • Distance/hybrid course offerings.
  • No GMAT/GRE required.

Fundamentals

Our curriculum includes courses in the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management and the Ivy College of Business. You will take one core course in business analytics, and choose electives from the following subjects and more:

  • Business, accounting, marketing analytics
  • Logistics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Merchandising, management, e-commerce
  • Social network and media

Review the digital marketplace analytics certificate requirements. With approval from the director of graduate education (DOGE), all 15 credits may be applied later to an Ivy master’s degree or AESHM program master’s degree at Iowa State University.

Questions about applying

Apply Today

Apply to the program

Online application

Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree. Two years of work experience is preferred, but not required. Entrance to the program is on a rolling basis. Applications must be received by the application deadlines.

Application deadline

Admission materials should be submitted by:

Fall: June 15
Spring: November 15
Summer: March 15

To apply, submit your:

  • Resume.
  • College transcripts.
  • Statement of purpose.

For questions or more information about how to apply, contact an advisor at busgrad@iastate.edu.

Connect With Us

Graduate Student Services

1420 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, Iowa 50011
busgrad@iastate.edu
515-294-8118

Questions?

Send us an email: busgrad@iastate.edu or call 515-294-8118.