Program Overview
The A-State Certificate in Social Media Management online program prepares students to develop, implement and manage communications strategies that employ digital advertising campaigns, social media components, and more. As part of the program, students will become certified in HootSuite™ and Google AdWords.



This 100% online undergraduate program gives students the tools to measure the effectiveness of online advertising campaigns while constructing multimedia content for social media sites to achieve organizational strategic communications goals. This online certificate program promotes problem solving, strong communication skills, and professional conduct and integrity.
Students will enhance their ability to:
- Think critically, creatively and independently
- Conduct research and evaluate information using appropriate methods, including applying basic numerical and statistical concepts
- Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of messages, images and information
- Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for communications professions, audiences and purposes served
- Critically evaluate their own work and that of the others for accuracy, fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness
- Apply current tools and technologies appropriate for communications professions—and to understand the digital world
- Communicate effectively using words and images for multiple platforms, ranging from interpersonal communication to digital media
- Understand the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press and how they are applied national and internationally
- Comprehend the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications
- Foster professional principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity
This program requires Live Text.
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A-State is Ranked #25
In their Best Colleges Rankings for 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranks A-State #25 for "Top Public Schools, Regional Universities (South)."
Tuition
Our Certificate in Social Media Management online program offers the same affordable tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included in the total tuition.


Per Credit Hour | Per Course | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
$210.00 | $38.25 | $248.25 | $630.00 | $114.75 | $774.75 |
Calendar
Our Certificate in Social Media Management online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:


Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spring 2019 | 7wk | 1/14/2019 | 3/1/2019 | 12/3/2018 | 12/10/2018 | 1/5/2019 | 1/11/2019 | 2/19/2019 |
7wk | 3/11/2019 | 5/3/2019 | 2/18/2019 | 2/24/2019 | 3/1/2019 | 3/8/2019 | 4/17/2019 | |
Summer 2019 | 7wk | 5/13/2019 | 6/28/2019 | 4/22/2019 | 4/29/2019 | 5/3/2019 | 5/10/2019 | 6/6/2019 |
7wk | 7/1/2019 | 8/16/2019 | 6/10/2019 | 6/17/2019 | 6/21/2019 | 6/28/2019 | 7/25/2019 | |
Fall 2019 | 7wk | 8/19/2019 | 10/4/2019 | 7/29/2019 | 8/5/2019 | 8/9/2019 | 8/16/2019 | 9/24/2019 |
7wk | 10/14/2019 | 12/6/2019 | 9/23/2019 | 9/30/2019 | 10/4/2019 | 10/11/2019 | 11/13/2019 |
Admissions
Students who are interested in our Certificate in Social Media Management online program must have a high school diploma with at least a 2.75 GPA or GED score of 500 (if taken before 2002) or 525 (if taken in or after 2002). Review full admission requirements below.
- When completing the online application, choose the appropriate application type – A-State Online Freshman (if you have never attended college) or A-State Online Transfer (if you have previously attended any college).
- Select three emphasis areas and submit this form.
- Pay $30.00 non-refundable application fee
- Submit an official High School Transcript with at least a 2.75 GPA or GED score of 500 (if taken prior to 2002) or 525 (if taken in or since 2002). The High School/GED requirement is waived for students who have previously successfully completed 13 or more transferrable college credit hours.
- Submit official Test Scores (e.g., ACT and SAT). Test scores are considered official if they are delivered directly to us from a testing center or from your high school on your official transcript. Test scores are valid for a period of five years from the date of the exam. The test score requirement is waived for students who have previously successfully completed 24 or more transferrable college credit hours.
- ACT test scores of 21 or greater on the composite score as well as 19 on the Math, Reading, and English sub-scores
- SAT test score of 1070
- Cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0 on previous college coursework.
- No remediation courses are available for this program. If a student does not show test scores that clear the need for remediation, they must show completion of or readiness for the following program courses:
- English requirement: Students may be considered eligible for admission based on completion of English Composition I, English Composition II, or Writing Fundamentals with a grade of C or better.
- Math requirement: Students may be considered eligible for admission based on completion of College Algebra or Intermediate Algebra with a grade of D or better.
- No conditional admission status is available for this program.
- International students must submit an attested or notarized copy of their high school diploma in English. Students seeking to transfer from a non-U.S. university or college must submit official transcripts from these institutions. A transcript evaluation by an independent agency (e.g., World Education Service or Education Credential Evaluators) will be required and will be the responsibility of the student. Proof of English proficiency may be required.
Additional Information
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: academicpartnerships@astate.edu
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
In order to earn the Certificate in Social Media Management online, students must complete the following four courses (12 credit hours).
PRAD 4213: Social Media in Strategic Communications
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course examines concepts and applications of social media within mass communications, news, advertising and public relations industries. We will explore and apply social media tools, integrating them into an organization's overall communication strategy.
AD 3133: Interactive Advertising
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Course introduces students to the world of interactive online advertising. It surveys a variety of important topics, from integrating social media initiatives into the overall marketing communications plan to online display ads to developing an effective search engine advertising/marketing strategy.
AD 4333: Social Media Measurement
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Course features measurement and improvement of investment outcomes from use of social media in advertising, public relations and marketing communications.
PRAD 4753: Strategic Communications Case Studies
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Course is a study of recent strategic communication cases involving business, industry, institutions and government. Students conduct a comprehensive strategic communication case study for a given client.