Social Media and Online Communities
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The Graduate Certificate in Social Media and Online Communities provides a comprehensive overview of social media skills and helps students develop a strategic framework for advancement and leadership.
Part-Time
Social media management and strategy development have become core skills required for communication professionals. According to WANTED Analytics, 1.6-million working professionals utilize social media skills in jobs at the manager and executive level. The Graduate Certificate in Social Media and Online Communities focuses on strategic framework and the role digital media has in supporting organizational performance. The program integrates theory and practice, including experimenting with various tools and platforms and reflecting on lessons learned from active management and experimentation.
Courses from this certificate also serve as a concentration in three programs, the Master of Science in Corporate and Organizational Communication, the Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media, and the Master of Science in Technical Communication. Students can also apply courses from the certificate to those degrees.
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Unique Features
- Benefit from in-depth exploration of different aspects of social media including policy and ethical issues and content strategy
- Hands-on exposure to tools and digital media platforms
- Courses from this certificate can be applied toward three other master's degrees in communications and digital media
Program Objectives
- Take a strategic approach to the design and implementation of social media channels and online communities
- Learn how to define metrics for measuring success, develop training, and evaluate the performance of social media activities
- Manage organizational risks and learn best practices in the creation of social media policies and guidelines
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Program Costs
Requirements
- Online application
- Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): identifies your educational goals and expectations from the program; please be aware that the University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose
- Professional resume
- Unofficial undergraduate transcripts (Official transcripts required at the time of admission)
- English language proficiency proof: Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
- Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
- TOEFL, IELTS, or NU Global Exam scores
Admissions Dates
Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis, however we do recommend following the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term.
| Start Date: | Recommended Admissions Deadline |
|---|---|
| September 16, 2019 | September 6, 2019 |
| October 28, 2019 | October 18, 2019 |
| Start Date: | Recommended Admissions Deadline: |
|---|---|
| January 6, 2020 (Domestic) | December 20, 2019 |
| January 6, 2020 (International) | November 4, 2019 |
| February 18, 2020 (Domestic) | February 7, 2020 |
| Start Date: | Recommended Admissions Deadline: |
|---|---|
| April 6, 2020 (Domestic) | March 23, 2020 |
| April 6, 2020 (International) | February 3, 2020 |
| May 18, 2020 (Domestic) | May 8, 2020 |
| Start Date: | Recommended Admissions Deadline: |
|---|---|
| July 6, 2020 (Domestic) | June 26, 2020 |
| July 6, 2020 (International) | April 20, 2020 |
General Requirements
Electives
Complete one to two of the following:*
*Students may qualify to waive CMN 6015 if they have social media experience. Please consult with your academic advisor.
Northeastern's signature experiential learning model combines academics with professional practice to help students acquire relevant, real-world skills they can apply to their desired industry. Each program offers its own unique experiential learning opportunities, but they might include:
- Experiential Learning at Work — Working professionals collaborate with their employer to develop a project that addresses a key business need their company has in an area they want familiarity with.
- Experiential Network (XN) — Students work virtually with a sponsoring organization on a short-term project over a six-week period.
- Full-Time Co-op Opportunities — Students on co-op work in a paid position in their field of study for three to six months.
Our Faculty
Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and in fields ranging from finance to education to biomedical science to management to the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors, and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.
By enrolling in Northeastern, you gain access to a network of more than 245,000 alumni and 3,200+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global NGOs. Our current students and faculty across strategically located regional campuses further foster that lifelong global community of learning and mentoring.
Below is a look at where our Communications & Journalism alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.
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Where They Work
- Boston Globe Media
- Fidelity Investments
- Harvard University
- TechTarget
- MIT
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What They Do
- Media and Communication
- Marketing
- Business Development
- Education
- Art and Design
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What They're Skilled At
- Social Media
- Editing
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Public Speaking
Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.