Is the Undergraduate Certificate in Communications - Social Media program for me?

Social media is changing the way we communicate. Instead of pushing out messages, companies and organizations are finding ways to engage with their customers, employees and the community. It is an exciting time to study communications. If you want a communications career in either the corporate sector or media sector, City University of Seattle's Undergraduate Certificate in Communications - Social Media program is a great start. It's also a good choice if you already have some experience in communications or social media and want to learn more or move ahead in your current job.

The Certificate in Communications - Social Media is an online program. While you earn your certificate online, you still have access to all CityU's great resources. You will log in to get assignments, discuss topics with your classmates, collaborate on projects and check your grades. Basically, everything you do in class but without the commute.

What will I learn in the Certificate in Communications - Social Media program?

Our Communications - Social Media certificate is more than making friends and influencing people. This program is about developing the skills you need to communicate in multiple ways including new/social media. In fact, you will find social media skills and knowledge woven throughout the courses. The program provides an innovative blend of traditional communication concepts and cutting edge technologies that will help you meet the needs of today's organizations.

What can I do with my Certificate in Communications - Social Media program?

People who can write and speak well are in high demand. Our program will set you up for career options in business, print or interactive media companies, and other nonprofit and educational organizations.

Why CityU?

• Because you want an education that's relevant to what's happening in the real world, right now.
• Our faculty teach what they do for a living, not just what's in the book. They're smart, successful people who can help you get there, too.
• You can get an education without sacrificing your lifestyle. Complete your coursework on a schedule that works best for you.

How to get started:

1. Chat with an admissions advisor or call 888.42.CityU
2. Order your official transcripts from other schools you attended
3. Apply now

Be sure to talk with academic advisor to see if there are other requirements for your program.

Total Required Credits:		30
SOC 305	Social Media and Society	5
Social media has become one of the most important tools of human interaction. Social media is also a source of information. In this course, students will examine how various types of social media shape people's lives and social reality. This course will also look at social inequalities, such as age, gender, and socio-economic status, and their impacts on perception, access, and use of social media.
IS 331	Understanding Technology for Communication	5
This course covers the technology behind social media and digital communications, including such topics as html, css, javascript, XML, widgets, metadata, and platforms. Students in this course will understand the behind-the-scenes functioning of social networking, mobile devices, and social media. This will give them a greater appreciation of the capabilities and limitations of the technologies as they apply them to communication strategies.
COM 361	Consumer Behavior and New Media	5
The Internet is becoming more and more important as an advertising venue for profit and nonprofit organizations worldwide. In this course, the student will learn about methods and modes of advertising online, the medium and its advantages and disadvantages, as well as online consumer decision-making behavior. This will be examined though the lens of consumer behavior online from Internet consumer communities, to consumers utilizing customization according to personal preferences in online shopping, as well as consumer's brand relationships and how that influences decision-making.
COM 418	Public Relations	5
This course investigates the development of ethical public relations practices in an increasingly information-overloaded environment. Students will research a 'client' organization's mission and goals, and the diverse cultures of its internal and external publics. From this analysis, they will produce fundamental public relations products, such as strategic and crisis management plans, as well as materials for promotional, informational, and fundraising purposes. Mass media will be explored as both venues and publics. Students will be prompted to use critical thinking analysis, personal and organizational ethics, and flexibility to extrapolate processes and products that can be generalized to other organizations.
COM 465	Contemporary Social Media Tools and Applications	5
This course provides a practical introduction to the use of current social media tools and their applications. Exploring the varying uses of tools used in consumer-generated media, viral videos, blogs, social networks, mobile phone applications, and other contemporary platforms, students will apply them to the fields of mobile, Internet, and word-of-mouth marketing, business, social network, and media communications. Students will develop skills in hands-on utilization of these tools that have impacted the consumption of products, media, ideas, and social relationships.
COM 478	Integrating Social Media Marketing	5
This course will prepare the student to strategically utilize social media platforms in an integrated marketing and/or business plan. Students will learn when and why specific and contemporary social media tools and platforms should be used and how to leverage them as part of an integrated strategic communications and/or marketing/business plan for branding, sales, communication, and other goals. Exploring how these tools – which, depending on the current social media landscape, may include blogs, microblogs, podcasts, and online social networks, among others – are being integrated professionally, students will also prepare their own social media marketing promotion plans.