Social Media and Online Communities
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 two programs, the Master of Science in Corporate and Organizational Communication and the Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media. Students can also apply courses from the certificate to those degrees.
More Details
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 two 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 resumé
- 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, PTE, Duolingo, 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.
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: January 19, 2021) | December 1, 2020 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: January 19, 2021) | December 15, 2020 |
| Domestic application complete (first half start: January 19, 2021) | January 1, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (second half start: February 22, 2021) | February 12, 2021 |
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: April 12, 2021) | February 8, 2021 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: April 12, 2021) | March 8, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (first half start: April 12, 2021) | April 2, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (second half start: May 24, 2021) | May 14, 2021 |
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: July 12, 2021) | May 10, 2021 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: July 12, 2021) | June 7, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (start date: July 12, 2021) | July 2, 2021 |
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: September 20, 2021) | July 19, 2021 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: September 20, 2021) | August 23, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (first half start: September 20, 2021) | September 7, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (second half start: November 1, 2021) | October 18, 2021 |
General Requirements
Required Courses
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.
Please note: This curriculum is for marketing purposes only and is subject to change. Official curriculum can be found within the course catalog.
Northeastern's signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.
Our Faculty
Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and 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 255,000 alumni and 3,350+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global nongovernmental organizations. Our current students and faculty across strategically located regional locations further foster a lifelong, global community of learning and mentoring.
Below is a look at where our communications and 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.