About
The School of Journalism and Media Studies' Certificate in Strategic Digital & Social Media gives students applied knowledge for a digital-first world. Students will learn media fundamentals and apply them to digital fields to advance their current or future employment opportunities. The Certificate in Strategic Digital & Social Media is conducted mostly online, allowing students the flexibility to continue their current careers as they pursue an advanced degree. This delivery method affords individuals who are employed full time the opportunity to update their skillset, expand their network, and add value to their current employers. The certificate also benefits those entering the job market or searching for new opportunities in the digital sphere. It is designed to bolster in-demand skills, create valuable contacts, and expose students to a myriad of new opportunities.
People, businesses, and institutions around the world have increasingly moved their decision-making to the online sphere, rendering digital media expertise more valuable and in demand than ever. A Brookings Institute report found that jobs requiring a high level of digital skills have more than quadrupled in the twenty-first century, up from 5 to 23 percent of total employment. Another report found that 89 percent of businesses are adopting or plan to adopt a digital-first strategy. Organizations in both the public and private sector who cannot adapt their message to the digital world and connect with their customers and constituents will be outcompeted by those who do.
The Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies has already developed an undergraduate concentration in digital and social media, offering classes in social media strategies, marketing, and networking, the School also sponsors a social media agency, Rebel Media Group, which works with clients in and outside the university. Students with this background often want to continue to learn and develop their understanding and skills in this area, and the certificate opportunity provides them a way to grow. Media professionals also need to update their skills and understanding in this area, so we provide classes online for them, this Certificate offers participants a chance to enhance their skills while still working full time. In addition, the Certificate can benefit the community by offering mid-level managers a chance to increase their knowledge and skills to deal with digital media.
Accreditation
For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Use digital media skills and media theory to solve practical problems;
- Apply these skills for digital media specialization within professional organizations;
- Demonstrate skills in advanced research, including using audience tracking metrics, using innovative audience acquisition and engagement strategies to reach new audiences, and honing writing to leverage the foundations of storytelling and copywriting;
- Apply these skills to email marketing campaigns, social media posts, and website copy.
Requirements
Graduate Certificate in Strategic Digital & Social Media
Plan Description
The School of Journalism and Media Studies Certificate in Strategic Digital & Social Media gives students applied knowledge for a digital-first world. Students will learn media fundamentals and apply them to digital fields to advance their current or future employment opportunities.
People, businesses, and institutions around the world have increasingly moved their decision-making to the online sphere, rendering digital media expertise more valuable and in demand than ever.
The Certificate in Strategic Digital & Social Media is conducted mostly online, allowing students the flexibility to continue their current careers as they pursue an advanced degree. This delivery method affords individuals who are employed full time the opportunity to update their skillset, expand their network, and add value to their current employers.
The certificate also benefits those entering the job market or searching for new opportunities in the digital sphere. It is designed to bolster in-demand skills, create valuable contacts, and expose students to a myriad of new opportunities.
For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.
Plan Admission Requirements
Refer to the Graduate College website for specific deadlines.
All applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
The following information to be submitted electronically to the Graduate College with your application:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with employer references. The CV should clearly indicate job titles, place and date of employment and specific job responsibilities, as well as include 2 former employer contacts.
- A brief essay of approximately 500 words outlining your career goals and how your employment background has prepared you for graduate study.
- Two letters of recommendation from 2 current or former employers. All required documentation and application materials must be received by the UNLV Graduate College by the listed deadline for the application to be considered.
Students are accepted into a certificate program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.
Plan Requirements
Total Credits Required: 12
Course Requirements
Journalism & Media Courses - Credits: 6
- JMS 650 - Media Innovation and Society
- JMS 688 - Entrepreneurial Media
- JMS 712 - Quantitative Research Methods
- JMS 789 is available only upon advisor approval:
- JMS 789 - Selected Topics in Journalism and Media Studies
Strategy & Social Media Courses - Credits: 6
- JMS 760 - Social Influence of the Media
- JMS 740 - Strategic Digital Storytelling
- JMS 742 - Advanced Content Creation
- JMS 789 is available only upon advisor approval:
- JMS 789 - Selected Topics in Journalism and Media Studies
Certificate Completion Requirements
Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.
Documents/Downloads
Contacts
Graduate Coordinator
Benjamin Burroughs
Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies
The Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies offers an innovative and integrated approach to research and study of today’s dynamic news, marketing, public relations, and social media in traditional and digital environments. Our curriculum provides a comprehensive education that blends classroom learning with practical experiences.
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Greenspun College of Urban Affairs
The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs is committed to creating contemporary solutions for resilient communities. Our academic programs focus on making effective public policy, creating support structures to meet behavioral and mental health challenges, ensuring cities are safe and prepared to meet emergency situations, effective and ethical journalism, and interpersonal and public communication strategies.