Social media management certificate for students, working professionals now offered online at K-State
MANHATTAN — A new online certificate in social media management offered by the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication at Kansas State University helps college majors and industry professionals expand and enhance their knowledge and skills in social media strategies and best practices, daily management and content creation.
The 15-credit-hour certificate features courses in short online formats and prepares certificate holders to manage social media on behalf of a brand, business or organization and to apply their learning toward their individual area of study, professional expertise or personal pursuits as a content creator or influencer.
"The A.Q. Miller School's social media management certificate reflects the ever-changing communication and media landscape and growing demand across all career and education fields for professionals with skills in social media strategy and digital content creation," said Greg Paul, school director. "There is growing demand for professionals attuned to key debates, trends and ethical issues related to communication and emerging social media technology, and this certificate prepares students to meet that demand."
Courses in the online certificate include Social Media Foundations, Communication and Technology, Social Media Strategy and Management, Social Media Influencing and Social Media Content Development. A new course, the Social Media Management Simulation Lab, uses mimicking software to give students experience managing a social media campaign for a brand, creating posts across multiple social media channels, overseeing a social media budget and analyzing content performance to make business decisions.
"The certificate was developed to help college students and working professionals unlock the keys to social media success in any industry or career field," said Jana Thomas, assistant director of the Miller School's advertising and public relations degree program, professor of practice and certificate coordinator. "Those earning the certificate will be exposed to new learning and insights on social media strategy related to business goals and objectives, social platforms, social selling, social ads, influencing, social ethics and legalities, and customer experience, as well as practical tools, templates and case studies to help sharpen skills and deepen understanding of everyday social media management."
As social media becomes an increasingly important way for brands, businesses and organizations to connect with consumers, the demand for social media management professionals and skills is growing rapidly: social media manager lands in the 42nd spot on CNNMoney/PayScale's list of "Top 100 Careers with Big Growth, Great Pay and Satisfying Work"; the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that jobs in social media are expected to grow by 8% by 2028 — faster than the average expected rate for all occupations; and social media manager has landed on LinkedIn's list of fastest-growing jobs in the past five years, showcasing its importance in the future world of work.
A virtual information session on the social media management certificate will be offered at 8 p.m. CST Tuesday, Dec. 6. Learn more about the certificate and sign up for the Zoom information session at online.k-state.edu/programs/certificates/undergraduate-certificates/social-media-management.html.
For more information on the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication, visit k-state.edu/mediacomm.
