Social Media Specialist Certificate
66 Hours
Learn to create powerful social media strategies in this online, non-credit, two semester certificate program beginning in the fall. The culminating experience will be the creation of a social media portfolio that students can share with potential employers or use as a guide to create their own social media consulting business. The Social Media Specialist Certificate provides motivated individuals with a foundation in practice and theory with hands-on activities, in-depth assignments, and lectures by the instructor and using supplemental resources, such as videos and/or interviews with social media professionals. We give you the tools to become a smart and capable player on the
social media stage. When you are done, you will be able to create a powerful social media strategy.
This an intensive course of study with seven individual courses, and two optional electives to choose from. One elective is required during the program. Upon completion of the core courses, participants will have the opportunity to take the Hootsuite Social Marketing exam (exam fees are additional)
Students may register for the entire program at time of registration or take courses independently in sequence.
Register for the entire certificate for $1,248.
To register for certificate program classes, you must call 914-606-7300 or email Carmen Marrinan at carmen.marrinan@sunywcc.edu
Career Pathways
Social Media Specialist Certificate
Course Descriptions
Introduction to Social Media Networks
This course gives students an overview of the top five, current social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more, and helps them define which platform should be used to reach business goals. In this course, students will create a buyer persona, define a brand, and identify the top one to two social media platforms they should use to impact business goals. Research, activities, assignments, and lecture will be used to help students identify the right social media platform for their business’ goals.
CE-COMP 2220PE, $170.
Thurs., Sept. 12-Oct. 3 (skip 9/26), 6:00-9:00 pm.
Social Media Content Fundamentals
In this course, students will learn how to craft a content strategy, best practices for content curation, creation, and sharing, as well as tactics for content measurement. In addition to creating content, students will be researching and defining hashtags and developing a social media schedule. Templates, handouts, video, and lectures will be used to bring this course to life. Offered in Fall.
CE-COMP 2221PE, $170.
Thurs., Oct. 10-31 (skip 10/24), 6:00-9:00 pm.
Optimizing Social Media Profiles
This course will teach students which elements to focus on for the top, five social media platforms, plus the best practices to keep in mind when creating a company/business social media presence. This course will offer strategic best practices and optimization techniques for several social media platforms. Examples, activities, and profile graphic development tools (i.e., Canva) will be used for students to design/implement a mock or live social media business profile.
CE-COMP 2222PE, $113.
Thurs., Jan. 2-9, 2025, 6:00-9:00 pm.
Social Media Strategies and Tactics
Learn about setting Goals, Objectives, KPIs, and Tactics. Students will learn about creating content calendar for timing and key dates, and incorporating content marketing into a social context. In addition, students will look at several social media tools, including Hootsuite, content management systems, and other common tools used in a social media role. Plus, this course will cover how to build a brand advocacy program and look at ways to engage influencers.
CE-COMP 2223PE, $229.
Thurs., Jan. 16-Feb. 6, 2025, 6:00-9:00 pm.
Social Media Marketing
This course provides students with an in-depth look at social media advertising, including how to establish a budget; developing a data-driven audience; creating an ad campaign; and measuring its impact. Activities, templates, lectures, and insights will be provided to help students craft a successful social media ad campaign.
CE-COMP 2224PE, $170.
Thurs., Feb. 27-Mar. 13, 2025, 6:00-9:00 pm.
Social Media Measurement and ROI
This course will provide students with an in-depth, hands-on exploration of current trends and tools including quantitative and qualitative measurement methodologies for social media. Students will learn to communicate return on investment (ROI) of social media to a non-expert audience. Students will develop skills to analyze how the performance of the social media strategy directly impacts the strategic priorities and mission/goals of their organization.
CE-COMP 2225PE, $170.
Thurs., Mar. 20-Apr. 3, 2025, 6:00-9:00 pm.
Create A Social Media Crisis Management Plan
On social media, things can move blazingly fast. Sometimes, a PR crisis that seems to come out of nowhere. Your best chance to make it through a social media crisis is to prepare ahead of time. Have a solid plan, a list of key stakeholders and responsibilities, and a clear chain of command. This course looks at methods for spotting potential issues as they emerge and how to shut a problem down in the early stages. The course also will show the students what to do if you end up with a full-blown social media crisis management situation on your hands. Examples, handouts, and templates will be provided.
CE-COMP 2226PE, $113.
Thurs., Apr. 10-24, 2025, 6:00-9:00 pm.
Electives
Writing for Social Media-An In-Depth Workshop
This course will explore the relationship between audience, purpose and text in a cross section of social media. Students will develop criteria for evaluating each form of writing, find examples, assess what makes them effective, consider the decoding skills they demand from readers, and practice the form using tried and true social media writing tactics. As students practice the craft of writing for social media; they will receive detailed constructive feedback on all assignments.
CE-COMP 2227PE, $113.
Thurs., Nov. 7-14, 6:00-9:00 pm.
Creating Simple Video Content for Social Media
Any business can start creating video content as a part of its overall marketing strategy. You just have to figure out what your overall objective is and how to plan to achieve those results. Creating unique, refreshing and engaging video content comes easy, if the objective is clear. In this course, students will create a video storyboard and script based on a business objective. Then they will use online tools and apps to create the video.
CE-COMP 2229PE, $113.
Thurs., Feb. 13-20, 2025, 6:00-9:00 pm.
