1. What is this project and why does it matter?
This project is a key requirement of your fifth and final course in the WGU Academy Plus Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Certificate. After completing your first four courses, you’ll apply your skills in a real-world, hands-on project hosted on the Riipen platform. It’s your opportunity to showcase what you’ve learned and gain tangible experience to strengthen your portfolio.
2. Is this project required?
Yes. Completion of the Riipen project is a required, for-credit component of the Academy Plus certificate. It must be completed after your coursework is finished, within the timeline provided.
3. How much time will I have to complete it?
You’ll have up to 6 months from the start of your certificate coursework to complete both your coursework and the Riipen project. The Riipen project should be completed no later than the final two months of this 6-month period. Once you’ve finished your required foundational courses, you’ll unlock access to available projects. Most projects require 40–80 hours of effort and should be completed over a 4–8 week period, at your own pace.
4. What kinds of projects are available?
Projects are sourced from real employers and reflect current industry needs in digital marketing and e-commerce. You'll apply insights from your coursework to complete tasks such as:
Create a digital content campaign
Build an e-commerce improvement plan
Develop a HubSpot marketing automation strategy
Design SEO, social, or paid search campaigns
Evaluate and optimize email marketing workflows
5. Will I work in a team?
No. While up to 5 learners may be assigned to the same employer project, each learner works individually and submits their own unique deliverables.
6. How do I get started with the project?
After completing your coursework, you’ll receive access to the WGU Academy Riipen portal. From there, you’ll be able to browse available projects and self-assign to one that aligns with your interests and skills. Visit Starting and Completing your Project for more details.
7. What deliverables will I produce?
Depending on the project, your final work may include:
A full marketing strategy proposal
Visual assets or campaign mockups
Analytics summaries or performance evaluations
A final presentation or executive summary
You’ll be evaluated based on the quality, relevance, and professionalism of your work.
8. Who will I be working with?
Projects are sourced from real companies, nonprofits, or startups across the U.S. You’ll interact with a company representative and may receive guidance, but you are responsible for managing your time and deliverables.
9. Will I get feedback or a grade?
Yes. Employers will complete a feedback form assessing your performance. Your work will also be reviewed by the WGU Academy instructional team as part of your final grade for the certificate program.
10. Will I be paid for this project?
No. This is a for-credit academic project, not a paid internship or employment opportunity. However, it is designed to produce professional-quality work you can include in your résumé and portfolio.
11. What support is available?
You’ll receive onboarding support from Riipen, as well as wrap-around support from WGU Academy. If you have technical issues or questions during your project, you can reach out to the Riipen help team at wgu@riipen.com or your WGU support contact.
12. How can I showcase this experience professionally?
After completing your project, you’ll receive an achievement badge, a certificate of completion and employer feedback. You can include this project in your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and e-portfolio, along with examples of your final deliverables.