How do you acquire SEO education and SEO training if it’s not taught in college? despite SEO’s relevance in today’s digital space, it is however not taught as a course in colleges for several reasons which are covered in this article and how you can get SEO education and learn SEO marketing in college.
Also read: 40 SEO Faqs (SEO Frequently Asked Questions)
Reasons Why SEO Isn’t Taught in College
1. Rapidly Evolving Industry:
One of the primary reasons why SEO is not taught in college is the industry’s dynamic and the changing algorithm of search engines. Search engines regularly update their algorithms to provide better user experiences and combat manipulative tactics. This continuous evolution necessitates constant learning and adaptability. College curricula, on the other hand, often struggle to keep up with the latest industry trends and advancements, leading to a gap between the theory taught in classrooms and the practical application of SEO techniques.
2. Outdated Curricula:
The development of college curricula is typically a lengthy and bureaucratic process. By the time a subject is proposed, approved, and implemented, the content might already be outdated. SEO, being a relatively new field, has not yet been integrated into many established academic programs. The traditional subjects taught in colleges often focus on theory rather than practical skills, leaving SEO, which heavily relies on hands-on experience and continuous experimentation, overlooked.
Also read: What is SEO Optimizer
Also read: Differences And Benefits of Short and Long Tail Keywords in SEO
3. Lack of Specialized Faculty:
Another challenge in teaching SEO in college is the scarcity of qualified faculty members who possess the necessary expertise and practical experience in the field. SEO is a multidisciplinary practice that combines elements of marketing, web development, data analysis, and content creation. Finding educators or top seo experts who have mastered all these aspects and can effectively impart their knowledge to students is a daunting task. As a result, SEO education falls through the cracks.
4. Fast-Paced Learning Environment:
The limited time frame of college programs poses another obstacle to including SEO in the curriculum. Most undergraduate and postgraduate degrees have predetermined courses and a fixed number of credit hours. Integrating a comprehensive SEO course would require allocating considerable time and resources, potentially disrupting the balance of the existing curriculum. Consequently, colleges often opt for subjects with broader appeal and more established academic foundations.
Also read: AI SEO – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on SEO Strategies
5. Practical Skills Vs. Theoretical Knowledge:
College programs tend to prioritize theoretical knowledge over practical skills. While theory is undoubtedly important, SEO is a discipline that thrives on experimentation, analysis, and adaptation to real-world scenarios. Students benefit greatly from hands-on experience and exposure to actual SEO practices, including keyword research, on-page optimization, OFF-Page SEO, and link building. Unfortunately, these practical aspects are often absent from traditional college settings.
6. Industry-Specific Certifications:
Given the dynamic nature of the SEO industry, professionals often rely on industry-specific certifications to validate their skills and knowledge. These certifications, such as Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) or Google Ads certifications, are widely recognized and highly valued by employers. The absence of SEO education in college does not necessarily hinder individuals from acquiring these certifications independently, allowing them to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical SEO expertise.
Also read: SEO for Beginners – Ultimate Guide
Also read: RoadMap to Becoming An SEO Expert
7. Specialized Training Programs:
Recognizing the growing demand for SEO skills, various training programs, workshops, and online courses have emerged outside of traditional academia. These programs are designed to provide practical SEO education to individuals seeking specialized training. While not formally recognized as college degrees, they offer a more agile and up-to-date learning environment tailored to the industry’s needs. Many employers now prioritize candidates with hands-on experience gained through these specialized programs.
How to Learn SEO in College Without Taking SEO Courses
1. Study Marketing:
SEO typically constitutes a minor aspect of marketing strategy, making it beneficial to complement your understanding by studying traditional marketing principles. Concentrating on learning marketing for small businesses can prove advantageous, especially considering that initial clients and experiences in the industry often involve smaller companies seeking to optimize their resources on a limited budget. By gaining insights into traditional marketing, you can better comprehend the broader marketing puzzle and effectively integrate SEO with other strategies to deliver impactful results for your clients.
2. Study Business:
Studying business can set you on the track to becoming an SEO pro. If you can come out of college with a solid understanding of business structure and growth, then join a small agency with such knowledge, you can swiftly become an invaluable asset to the organization and also grow in the digital marketing industry.
Also read: 15 Top SEO Experts and Specialists
Also read: Backlinks in SEO – How to Acquire High Authority Backlinks
3. Study Journalism:
Studying journalist is one of the many ways to learn SEO while in college as you would be exposed to its basics. As a journalist, one of the many skills you will learn while in college is creative writing and how to write an engaging content which is one of SEO strategies. You may later grow in this field to later become an seo specialist.
4. Study Design:
Effective SEO includes various elements such as web design, UI design, logo design, etc which you will mostly learn while in college if you study Design related courses. Having these skills already gives you an edge that you can leverage to learn SEO and become an SEO specialist.
5. Read SEO Books and Articles:
One of the many ways to get extensive knowledge in SEO while in college is to read books and articles on SEO online. We have also written many articles on seo which you might find useful.
Also read: Google Indexing and How Web Crawler Works
Also read: 13 Key Indications that your SEO Strategy is Successful
6. Take Online SEO Certification Courses
These recommended courses are free and you can easily acquire the certifications while in college. An SEO certification is proof of completion of an online SEO course or training, typically provided in the form of a PDF document that can be added to your CV or LinkedIn profile after successful completion. Below are some Free online courses you can take;
- SEO Crash Course by Semrush
- Google SEO Fundamentals by UC Davis
- Advanced Search Engine Optimization Program by Simplilearn
- SEO Certification Course by HubSpot
Also read: 7 Proven Steps To Grow Your Domain Authority
Also read: 7 Most Common SEO Mistakes you Should Avoid
