If you want to work in social media, you may be wondering how a bachelor’s degree in social media management can help you achieve that goal. What should you expect, and what are the program’s benefits?
A flexible and convenient example of this type of degree is the online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Strategic Communication with Social Media Management Certification program from Arkansas State University (A-State). Here is an overview of the program, the courses required and how students can benefit.
What Degree Do You Need for Social Media Management?
Social media management can fall under a few areas of study, namely business administration and communications. A-State’s social media management degree is a specialized version of a strategic communication bachelor’s program.
The Indeed Career Guide defines social media management as “the process of managing and monitoring a company’s social media presence online.” The goal of maintaining an effective social media presence is engaging and communicating with consumers. Given this, studying the intersection between strategic communication and using social media in professional settings is an excellent way to prepare for a career in the field.
Social Media Degree Overview
To receive a social media degree from A-State, you must complete a total of 120 credit hours of coursework. Most courses are three credit hours. Of the 120 hours, 42 credit hours of major courses are required for the social media management degree.
You must also take 38 credit hours of general education courses to complete the program. Finally, you will need to take 40 credit hours in elective courses of your choice. These can come from any courses offered, as long as prerequisites are met.
A-State allows up to 90 transferred credit hours, as evaluated during the admission process. If you have previous college experience, this generous credit transfer policy can help you complete your degree much quicker than would otherwise be possible.
Types of Courses You Will Take for the Social Media Major
The individual courses cover a wide range of subjects surrounding writing, strategic communication, social media, account planning and management. Topics range from content creation and messaging to campaign planning and case studies.
In the Strategic Writing I and II courses, for example, you will learn advanced forms and styles for strategic messaging across multimedia platforms. In Social Media in Strategic Communications, you explore practical social media tools and learn to integrate them into an organization’s overall marketing strategy. In Social Media Measurement you will learn optimal ways to analyze, establish and grow an organization’s social media return on investment (ROI).
What to Expect From an Online Degree
As opposed to hybrid or on-campus programs, you can complete A-State’s B.S. in Strategic Communication with Social Media Management Certification program entirely online. The design of A-State’s social media management degree is highly convenient for working adults who want to return and finish college but need to maintain a job, keep earning an income and avoid the opportunity costs specific to campus-based programs.
With online courses, you can complete coursework when and where it is most convenient for you. Plus, the courses in this program are seven weeks long, and A-State offers multiple start dates per year. So, you can vary your studies and pace of degree completion to minimize conflicts with any other obligations you have.
Benefits of a Degree in Social Media
Social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram continue to grow in popularity. New social media channels are constantly evolving as well. For businesses, schools and nonprofits, these platforms create brand awareness and loyalty. Social media engages users in conversations about organizations, providing exposure, feedback and opportunities to build relationships and community.
Social media managers are integral to an organization’s operations. They are experts in developing the metrics that let organizations know if their messages have a positive impact. Social media managers also know how to generate sales leads and craft effective social media strategies, both of which are vital to increasing an organization’s ROI.
Job Growth and Career Prospects in Social Media Management
A rapidly evolving field like social media management is a good one for career growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not track data on social media managers in specific, but they would likely fall under the umbrella of marketing managers. BLS projects that employment of marketing managers will increase 7% from 2024 to 2034.
BLS may categorize social media managers in more analytical, research-based roles as market research analysts, with a similar projected job growth rate of 7%. Both of these occupational groups are experiencing much faster job growth than the national average for all occupations.
The data suggests that the future will be full of good opportunities for professionals with advanced training in social media management. Earning a strategic communications degree in the field can be an excellent way to gain necessary expertise and prepare yourself to excel in high-level social media roles.
Learn more about the Arkansas State University online B.S. in Strategic Communication with Social Media Management Certification program.