PDMA Diploma Explained: What the Professional Digital Marketing Associate Credential Is and How to Earn It
PDMA (Professional Digital Marketing Associate) Diploma: full form, issuer, what the 12-week program certifies, five credentials included and how to earn it.
· 9 min read
In this article
PDMA stands for Professional Digital Marketing Associate. The PDMA Diploma is a 12-week, 100-hour digital marketing program that we at Talentdu deliver live online in partnership with the Lebanese American University Academy of Continuing Education (LAU ACE). Graduates receive an Associate Diploma in Digital Marketing issued by LAU ACE, plus four industry certifications earned during the program: Google Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate, and two CPD Group certificates in Social Media Marketing and No Code Web Design. We deliver the program and award the credential with LAU ACE, so this page is the definitive description of what it is, what it certifies and how it is earned.
Key takeaways
- PDMA is the acronym for Professional Digital Marketing Associate; the credential is the Professional Digital Marketing Associate Diploma.
- Issued by LAU ACE, delivered by Talentdu, 12 weeks, 100 hours (48 live, 52 self-paced), live online with optional in-person sessions at the LAU ACE Office Beirut.
- Five credentials in one program: the LAU ACE Associate Diploma, Google, Meta and two CPD Group certificates, every exam fee included in the $1,800 tuition.
- The diploma is awarded on completion of coursework and a final project; the Meta certification is a proctored exam sat during the program.
- Next cohort starts October 2, 2026. Full details on the program page.
Key facts
| Full name | Professional Digital Marketing Associate Diploma |
| Acronym | PDMA |
| Issued by | LAU Academy of Continuing Education (LAU ACE), under its partnership with Talentdu |
| Recognized by | LAU ACE issues the diploma; Google, Meta and CPD Group issue the four certifications |
| Format | Live online on Zoom, recorded with lifetime access, optional in-person sessions at the LAU ACE Office Beirut |
| Duration | 12 weeks, two live sessions per week |
| Hours | 100 in total: 48 live, 52 self-paced |
| Credentials included | LAU ACE Associate Diploma, Google Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate, CPD Group Social Media Marketing Certificate, CPD Group No Code Web Design Certificate |
| Next start | October 2, 2026 (Fridays 6:30 to 8:30 PM and Saturdays 9:00 to 11:00 AM, Beirut time), apply by September 28, 2026; later cohorts on the schedule |
| Price | $1,800 USD, payable in two installments of $900; exam fees and preparation included |
| Seats and language | 35 per cohort, taught in English |
What the PDMA diploma certifies
The PDMA certifies that its holder can plan and run digital marketing across the core channels, from brand and website through content, social, email, SEO and paid advertising, and can use AI tools in that work. The curriculum is 12 weekly modules, each ending with a put-it-into-practice assignment due before the next session.
| Week | Module | What you can do afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Digital marketing fundamentals | Paid, owned and earned media; personas, 7Ps, SMART goals, STP; CTR, CPC, CPA, ROAS, CAC and CLV |
| 2 | Branding and design fundamentals | Build a brand identity, develop brand strategy with AI, write website copy with AIDA |
| 3 | Service websites with Squarespace | Build a service website with Site Styles, sections, forms and integrations |
| 4 | E-commerce websites and modern web building | Set up a Shopify store with payments, including cash on delivery; vibe code with Lovable |
| 5 | Content marketing and content writing | An 8-step content strategy, formats per funnel stage, pillars and the 40/30/20/10 mix |
| 6 | Social media marketing | A weekly content workflow, Canva, scheduling with Buffer and Meta Business Suite |
| 7 | AI in digital marketing | Claude with Artifacts, Projects, Skills and Connectors; automations with Zapier and n8n; the RTF prompting framework |
| 8 | Email marketing and automation | Mailchimp setup, segmentation, a welcome journey, deliverability |
| 9 | Search engine optimization | Keyword research, site audits, on-page and technical SEO, E-E-A-T, six GEO strategies |
| 10 | Meta advertising part 1 | Facebook Page, Business Portfolio and Meta Pixel setup; ad copy in eight directions; AI creatives |
| 11 | Meta advertising part 2 | Campaign structure, objectives, saved, custom and lookalike audiences, Ads Manager, A/B testing |
| 12 | Google Ads, LinkedIn marketing and certification prep | A Google search campaign, LinkedIn growth, Sales Navigator prospecting, the five certifications |
By graduation, the portfolio behind the diploma includes a complete brand identity with visual guidelines, a website or landing page, a content calendar and social media strategy, email sequences and automations, paid campaigns on Meta and Google, analytics dashboards and a portfolio-ready case study.
How the PDMA diploma is earned
Earning the PDMA takes three things: the 12 weeks of live classes (or their recordings), the weekly coursework, and a final project. The LAU ACE Associate Diploma, the flagship credential, is issued once coursework and final project are complete.
The four industry certifications are earned alongside it, each with its own assessment, and week 12 is dedicated to certification prep, including Meta exam practice questions. The 48 live hours are taught over Zoom in two sessions a week. Every session is recorded with lifetime access, so a missed class does not cost you the diploma. The remaining 52 hours are the assignments, the self-paced courses and the final project.
What is included in the program fee
The $1,800 tuition covers all five credentials with nothing to pay on top:
- LAU ACE Associate Diploma in Digital Marketing, issued on completion of coursework and the final project.
- Google Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, an online assessment guided during the program.
- Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate, a proctored exam at the LAU ACE Office Beirut, preparation and exam fee included.
- CPD Group Social Media Marketing Certificate, a 15-hour self-paced course completed after the live weeks.
- CPD Group No Code Web Design Certificate, a 15-hour self-paced course completed after the live weeks.
Tuition can be split into two installments of $900; the first payment secures your seat. The program is taught by Omar Kandil, founder and CEO of Talentdu and CEO of OBCIDO Inc. in New York, with guest instructors and industry speakers in select sessions.
How the PDMA compares with alternatives
People searching for the PDMA usually weigh it against two other credentials.
PDMA vs the Google certificate
Google's Fundamentals of Digital Marketing is a free, self-paced course on Skillshop of around 40 hours that awards a badge in your Skillshop profile; we cover it in our guide to the Google digital marketing course. The PDMA is a 100-hour live program that includes that same Google assessment as one of its five credentials and adds the LAU ACE diploma, the Meta certification, two CPD certificates, weekly assignments and a final project. The Google course is a good free starting point; the PDMA is the structured route for people who want live teaching, a portfolio and a diploma.
PDMA vs CDMP
CDMP is the Certified Digital Marketing Professional designation from the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI), earned by passing an online exam after DMI's nine-module, self-paced Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing. It is a well-known credential among Gulf employers, and our Gulf course guides list the providers that offer it. The difference is format and scope: the CDMP is self-paced with a single exam, while the PDMA is a live 12-week cohort that awards five credentials, including the Meta and Google certifications, within one fee.
How to add the PDMA diploma to your LinkedIn profile
Add it under Licenses and certifications, using the exact credential name so recruiters searching for it find you:
- Name: Professional Digital Marketing Associate (PDMA) Diploma
- Issuing organization: Talentdu
- Issue date: the month your cohort ended
- Expiration: leave blank; no expiry is stated for the diploma
- Credential URL: the PDMA program page
Then add each of the four industry certifications as its own entry: Google Fundamentals of Digital Marketing (issuer Google), Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate (issuer Meta), Social Media Marketing Certificate and No Code Web Design Certificate (issuer CPD Group).
Who the PDMA is for
The PDMA is designed for complete beginners, and it serves three groups in particular:
- Recent graduates who want recognized credentials and hands-on experience before a first marketing role.
- Business owners who want to run their own ads, build funnels and grow their brand online.
- Career switchers who need a structured path into digital marketing and the confidence to land a first role.
Graduates pursue roles such as Digital Marketing Specialist, Social Media Manager, Performance Marketer or Media Buyer, SEO and Content Specialist, and Marketing Executive or Coordinator. Talentdu has 300+ graduates across 15+ countries, a 4.9/5 average rating from 73 published reviews, and 11 video success stories, all of them PDMA graduates. Our guide to the best digital marketing courses in Lebanon puts the PDMA side by side with every credible alternative.
Frequently asked questions
What does PDMA stand for?
PDMA stands for Professional Digital Marketing Associate. The full credential name is the Professional Digital Marketing Associate Diploma, delivered by Talentdu and issued by LAU ACE.
Who issues the PDMA diploma?
The diploma is issued by the Lebanese American University Academy of Continuing Education (LAU ACE). Talentdu signed a three-year exclusive partnership with LAU ACE on January 14, 2025, under which every graduate of a Talentdu program earns an LAU ACE certificate. Details are on our LAU ACE partnership page.
Is the PDMA diploma recognized?
The Associate Diploma is issued by LAU ACE, the continuing-education arm of the Lebanese American University. The Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate and Google Fundamentals of Digital Marketing credentials earned in the program are industry certifications issued by Meta and Google respectively, and the two CPD Group certificates are CPD-accredited.
How long is the PDMA diploma valid?
No expiry is stated for the LAU ACE Associate Diploma or the CPD Group certificates. The Meta certification follows Meta's own rules for its certification program, and the Google credential lives in your Skillshop profile under Google's terms.
Can I take the PDMA from Saudi Arabia or the UAE?
Yes. The program is 100% live online on Zoom; the in-person networking sessions at the LAU ACE Office Beirut are optional. The Meta exam is proctored at the LAU ACE Office Beirut, so ask us about arrangements if you cannot travel. Classes run in Beirut time: the October 2026 cohort meets Fridays 6:30 to 8:30 PM and Saturdays 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Riyadh and Doha share Beirut's clock in Beirut summer time and are one hour ahead in winter, so a 6:30 PM class is 6:30 or 7:30 PM there; Dubai is one hour ahead in summer and two in winter, so 7:30 or 8:30 PM. All sessions are recorded.
Do I need prior experience to enroll?
No. The program starts from the fundamentals and guides you step by step; the audience is recent graduates, business owners and career switchers.
How much does the PDMA cost, and what is included?
Tuition is $1,800 USD, payable in two installments of $900. Every exam fee, all preparation materials and the two CPD bonus courses are included, so there is nothing to pay on top.
When does the next PDMA cohort start?
The next cohort starts October 2, 2026, with applications due by September 28, 2026. We run several cohorts a year; the schedule lists every upcoming start date, and you apply through the PDMA program page. Our team reviews each application and confirms availability.
This page was written by the Talentdu team, the delivery partner for the PDMA Diploma with LAU ACE. Have a question about the credential? Contact us. Last updated 20 September 2026.
Written by
Founder and CEO, Talentdu
Omar teaches the PDMA and AIMP programs live and runs OBCIDO Inc., a New York based marketing agency. TEDx speaker and bestselling marketing author. Everything he writes here is drawn from work with real clients.
