The social media management certificate is an applied course sequence to both understand and accomplish the social media communication needs of an organization. This four-course sequence moves among the different common social media platforms and users, content types and both proactive and reactive management strategies. After completing the certificate, students will be able to manage social media content through a strategic approach for various organizational needs.
Admission to Samford University is required for enrollment in the Social Media Management Certificate program. View the admission requirements. Applicants should choose the Undergraduate Application and within the form, select that they are seeking a certificate.
The certificate contains the following four courses which are taken in sequence beginning each fall semester and concluding in the spring semester. As credit-bearing coursework, students may utilize all 12 credit hours towards a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership or Liberal Studies.
Tuition and Fees for the certificate are charged at the undergraduate program rate.
ECOL 380 - Social Media Fundamentals (3 credits)
This course is an introductory overview and application of social media in an organizational leadership capacity. Since social media is a broad area of study and application across several organizational areas, such as marketing, public relations, community outreach, and development, this course is structured to offer a more “high level” explanation of the nuances of the subject.
ECOL 381 - Social Media Content Strategies (3 credits)
This course is an intermediate-level application of social media in an organizational leadership capacity. This course is structured to offer more “in-depth” concepts of managing social media as part of an organization. Maximizing opportunities on various social media platforms and completing analytic and campaign functions will adapt study to applied knowledge. Prereq: ECOL 380.
ECOL 382 - Social Media Content Creation (3 credits)
This course is an advanced-level application of social media content creation and implementation in an organizational leadership capacity. This course is structured to move from strategy to content creation in order to engage an organization’s social media audiences. The use of static, video, dynamic, ephemeral and interactive content are introduced, discussed and practiced. Prereqs: ECOL 380 and ECOL 381.
ECOL 383 - Social Media Campaigns (3 credits)
This course is the capstone course for social media practices, content creation and strategic management. Culminating in a comprehensive social media strategic campaign, this course utilizes extensive hands-on application of all of the elements of social media campaign from inception to evaluation. Students will have significant and purposeful leadership over the social media campaign. Prereqs: ECOL 380, ECOL 381, and ECOL 382.
