Social Media Marketing Certifications

Top careers are open to candidates with accredited social media certification. Read a guide on various social media marketing certifications in 2021.

Marketing managers are expected to see a six percent job growth rate through 2029. Social media is a huge part of daily life for many people today and a social media marketing certificate inserts you at the heart of an in-demand job field. A wide variety of lucrative careers are available to candidates with accredited social media certification today. Paid and free courses are available as well as possible financial aid toward your tuition. Read ahead for an informative guide on social media marketing certifications and how to get yours now.

Types of Social Media Certifications Available

Various types of social media marketing certifications are available in 2021. Certificates in Digital Media & Marketing, Digital Marketing Fundamentals, Advanced Social Media Strategy, Facebook Planning Professional and Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) are all available today. Read below for comparative information on these top-5 social media certifications in 2021.

1. Digital Media & Marketing (Duke University Continuing Studies)

A Digital Media & Marketing certificate from the renown Duke University Continuing Studies department offers a flexible program developed for students new to social media marketing and/or enriching current career & salary prospects. Duke works in tandem with top online training provider Simplilearn to provide students the best opportunities possible. Courses focus on eight primary digital marketing domains, incorporate real-world projects and offer virtual simulations. This certificate costs $3,195 in total and requires no books or additional course-related expenses.

2. Digital Marketing Fundamentals (University of Vermont - Continuing & Distance Education)

The Digital Marketing Fundamentals certificate program facilitated by the University of Vermont

Is completable in eight weeks of online studies. Alternative strategies for connecting with consumers & marketing prospects are included. An emphasis is placed on awareness of changes in social media marketing today compared to previous years. Each of the total eight weeks is dedicated to a separate online marketing channel and the creation of applicable/actionable marketing plans. A capstone project is assigned to conclude the program, which encourages students into modes of critical thinking, problem solving and the development of specific communications skills. This certification costs $1,695 and offers convenient scheduling flexibility.

3. Advanced Social Media Strategy (Hootsuite Academy)

The Advanced Social Media Strategy certification via Hootsuite Academy is designed for ambitious students with goals in leadership, strategy and management. The program is also designed to teach full-scale comprehension of the process involved in building/scaling social media within complex organizations. Courses taught by renown industry experts are purposed to emphatically advance your career opportunities. Created by S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (Syracuse University) in collaboration with Hootsuite, this top-rated program teaches students advanced tools & methods utilized by the best social & social media-focused brands in the world. The Advanced Social Media Strategy certification costs $999 and requires a free Hootsuite account for registration.

4. Facebook Blueprint Planning Professional

The Facebook Blueprint Planning Professional certificate program takes a serious approach to teaching social media marketing and for obvious reasons. Facebook currently has over 2.2 billion users in addition to one+ billion users on Instagram (owned by Facebook). Facebook is widely considered the primary source for brand marketing/advertising in the entirety of social media and its Blueprint Planning Professional certificate program is unsurprisingly complex. This program presents challenges to students and requires focused attention to detail and dedication to reaping its unique benefits. In fact, Facebook suggests students have a minimum of 6-months Facebook advertising experience prior to enrolling. Courses are separated into specific modules and are each short in length to help mitigate the challenges involved in mastering the training. This certificate costs up to $150 and includes additional courses on Instagram & Messenger strategies.

5. Professional Certified Marketer (via American Marketing Association)

A Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) certification via the American Marketing Association (AMA) helps students adopt a formal approach to social media marketing, public relations, pricing/branding and planning. Program scheduling is flexible although the courses themselves are comprehensive and somewhat demanding. This certificate is purposed to help advance both your career and salary statuses by helping you develop enhanced skills and impactful self-confidence in the field. A few topics of study include digital strategy/planning, customer experience (CX) and PPC/paid search. Study guides cost $99 for AMA members (non-members pay $149). Exams for members & non-members costs $99/$299 respectively. Recertification is required every three years to maintain all certification benefits.

What Schools or Online Companies Offer Social Media Certification?

Google is one of the top companies offering social media marketing courses and certifications in 2021. Facebook and LinkedIn are two other top companies offering certifications today. Additional companies and schools offering social media marketing certifications in 2021 include:

Types of Careers Available

A career in social media marketing presents job opportunity in a variety of lucrative and in-demand fields. Brand advocates and brand managers assist in building brand recognition with new and current customers/clients. A social media analyst assesses the productivity of current strategies, while simultaneously tracking customer/client analytics. Additional types of in-demand careers available to candidates with social media marketing certification include online communications director, public relations manager, engagement coordinator, strategist, content manager and multiple more.

Average Costs, Grants & Financial Aid

Average costs to obtain a social media marketing certificate range from free-of-charge to several thousand dollars per certificate. Factors impacting tuition pricing include whether you are an in-state of out-of-state student or hold a particular membership with the institution facilitating your training. Federally funded financial aid is potentially available in the form of Federal Pell Grants. Completing/submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form provides options & resources for additional financial aid programs. The studentaid.gov website also helps you apply for financial aid to pay for some or all your education costs. Additional social media marketing grants/scholarships might also be available through the following resources:

Free Social Media Certification Courses

Many free social media marketing courses and certificate programs are available in addition to the paid programs. HubSpot is a top provider of free social media courses today. Twitter Flight School is a free, comprehensive online program focusing on Twitter advertising. The powerful Google Ads Certification is also a free program. More popular & free social media courses & certification programs are available from the following sources:



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