Succeed in Social Media Marketing
- $320/credit (120 total credits)
- Transfer up to 90 credits
- No application fee or SAT/ACT scores needed
- Prepare for industry-recognized credentials
- Accelerated BS-to-MS pathway
- Program accredited by ACBSP
Social Media Marketing Degree Concentration Overview
Learn how to leverage social media to engage consumers, build loyalty and drive business in the online Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a concentration in Social Media program.
Southern New Hampshire University's social media degree concentration weaves social media theory and practice with traditional marketing strategy. By electing the social media concentration, you'll dive deeper into the ever-evolving and high-growth online social media marketing environment. You'll learn how to target and engage online communities and, in turn, spread brand messaging to new audiences.
Within the broad field of marketing, a social media degree concentration stands out as a specialization that businesses are demanding. SNHU gives students the opportunity to gain expertise in this rapidly evolving field. Instructors are well versed in the practical execution of social media strategy. In addition to the courses that specifically relate to the online social world, new media is deeply integrated into the core coursework of the bachelor’s in marketing program.
Learn how to:
- Use social media tools and strategies to develop campaigns that engage consumers and achieve organizational goals
- Analyze primary and secondary data to determine the position of a product in the market
- Recommend strategies for an effective marketing mix
- Develop strategic marketing plans that align with organizational missions, objectives and goals
- Employ effective written and oral communication skills
- Apply legal and ethical principles to marketing activities
- Collaborate in cross-functional internal and external environments
As an added bonus, students in this program will also have the opportunity, if they so choose, to gain their HubSpot Social Media Certification, which could up your hiring potential by giving you the tools you need to shape conversations around businesses and building brand loyalty. Additionally, other courses in this degree program have alignments with industry-relevant certifications that can enhance your learning experience.
Faculty Testimonial, Marketing and Social Media, SNHU
Jessica Rogers shares her experience as a Marketing and Social Media program faculty member with Southern New Hampshire University.
Career Outlook
A social media-focused BS Marketing degree from SNHU will help you build the skills you need to succeed in a number of different marketing roles.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that various employment opportunities for advertising, promotions and marketing managers are expected to increase by 6% through 2029 – faster than the national average for all occupations.1 The demand for social media marketing experts exists in almost every industry, including entertainment, healthcare, journalism, politics and retail.
By exploring the broader field of marketing with a unique focus on social media, you'll come away with the knowledge you need in a variety of professions, including:
- Marketing manager - Conduct market research, coordinate marketing campaigns and overall marketing strategies, oversee product development and more.
- Social media manager - Help organizations communicate with customers, advertise new and existing products, establish brand identity and create brand loyalty through social media channels.
- Brand/product manager - Help determine the goals and direction of a brand, leverage performance insights and manage long-term campaign strategies.
- Advertising and promotions manager - Work closely with leadership to develop advertising budgets, contracts and media plans.
- Social media coordinator/social media strategist - Plan, execute and monitor social media strategies that help drive sales, brand awareness and customer engagement.
- SEO strategist - Use digital marketing principles to optimize inbound organic traffic from search engines to company websites.
- Online community manager - Act as a "brand ambassador," helping build relationships with new and existing clients through social media channels.
Start Your Journey Toward an Online Social Media Marketing Degree Concentration
Why SNHU For Your Social Media Marketing Degree Concentration
Flexible
With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.
Affordable
Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 90 credits from your previous institution.
Respected
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
- A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
- Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium
Network
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 200,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Opportunities
As an online student, there's still plenty of opportunity for you to interact with your peers and get involved with the SNHU community.
96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.2 Discover why SNHU may be right for you.
Admission Requirements
Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials.
Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.
How to Apply
Simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions and walk you through the application process. Start by:
- Completing a free undergraduate application
- Providing previous institutions attended – so SNHU can retrieve transcripts for you at no cost
Test scores are not required as part of your application.
Courses & Curriculum
SNHU's online social media degree concentration presents a broad knowledge base, providing access to the theory, history and application of using social media in a marketing context. You'll learn to engage and enhance the brand experience while strengthening the relationship between customer and product.
This specialized online marketing degree program consists of 4 concentration courses:
- Social Media Marketing and Strategy
- Social Media Campaign
- Digital Advertising
- Writing for New Media
Social Media Marketing and Strategy will challenge you to successfully create and implement a social media marketing campaign. You'll then evaluate and measure its success. The course will focus on key elements such as identifying social media tactics with the appropriate target market and developing strategies to engage those markets through relevant social media channels.
A requisite of Social Media Marketing and Strategy, Social Media Campaign further develops your ability to successfully implement a social marketing campaign. The course will focus on key elements such as audience, campaign objectives, strategic plan, tactics, tools and metrics to measure success.
The Digital Advertising course explores the entire digital advertising landscape – including search-advertising strategies, social media marketing and inbound marketing.
Finally, Writing for New Media will hone in on content-development skills critical for new and emerging digital media technologies. You'll explore the various strategies for delivering and adapting essential information through diverse multimedia platforms.
Paired with the major courses of the BS in Marketing program, along with a cutting-edge business core, you'll gain critical skills that can help you stay competitive in a dynamic industry.
“Staying ahead of the competition has never been more important,” said Dr. Jessica Rogers, associate dean of marketing at SNHU. “The landscape for businesses is changing so rapidly, that it has become a key strategy to [know what the competition is doing] to help inform your own digital strategy.”
Curriculum Requirements & Resources
- Business core: Revised for fall 2020, our undergraduate business programs contain 10 cutting-edge business courses. These core courses are designed to help prepare you for success wherever you go.
- General education courses: All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes, if not obtained in prior coursework. Through these foundation, exploration and integration courses, you'll learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
- Technology resources: We also provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.
- Earn math credits for what you already know: Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Show your knowledge of the materials in your program's math courses, and you could earn up to 12 math credits – at less than $50 for each course assessment (statistics or precalculus).
| View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
|---|
| BS in Marketing - Social Media Marketing |
| Courses May Include | ||
|---|---|---|
| BS in Marketing Social Media Marketing Online | ||
| MKT 229 | Principles of Integrated Marketing Communications | This course is designed to give students an understanding of advertising, public relations, corporate communications and sales promotions and the role that the media plays in integrated marketing communications strategies. This course focuses on the planning, research and creative skills needed to reach IMC objectives. Writing intensive course. |
| MKT 265 | Social Media & Marketing Communications | This course is designed to give students an understanding of the concepts involved in integrated marketing communication (IMC) which includes a focus on social media and the role they play in advertising, public relations, branding, and corporate communication strategies. This course focuses on the planning, research and creative skills needed to reach promotional objectives. |
| MKT 337 | Marketing Research | This course compares and contrasts secondary and primary research with emphasis on the latter. Students explore different types of primary research as well as the basic research methods. It focuses primarily on the survey. |
| MKT 345 | Consumer Behavior | This course explores the behavior that consumers display in searching, purchasing, using,evaluating and disposing of products. |
| MKT 400 | Strategic Brand Management | Examine the importance of a company's brand with a focus on the approaches to building, maintaining, growing, and salvaging a brand. |
| MKT 432 | Strategic Marketing Planning (Capstone) | This is the capstone course of the undergraduate marketing curriculum. It focuses primarily on the decisions required of marketing executives as they seek to develop, implement and control integrated marketing programs. Students will be asked to apply their understanding of marketing principles covered in other marketing courses to solve specific company problems. Topics include a diversity of product, market and industry environments. Writing Intensive Course. |
| Total Credits: 120 | ||
Minimum Hardware Requirements
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Component Type |
PC (Windows OS) |
Apple (Mac OS) |
|---|---|---|
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Operating System |
Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
|
Memory (RAM) |
8GB or higher |
8GB or higher |
|
Hard Drive |
100GB or higher |
100GB or higher |
|
Antivirus Software |
Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
|
SNHU Purchase Programs |
||
|
Internet/ Bandwidth |
5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency |
5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency |
Notes:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Tuition & Fees
As a private, nonprofit university, we’re committed to making college more accessible by making it more affordable. That’s why we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation—and haven't raised our costs in a decade.
We also offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
| Online Undergraduate Programs | Per Course | Per Credit Hour | Annual Cost for 30 credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree/Certificates | $960 | $320 | $9,600 |
| Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)* | $675 | $225 | $6,750 |
Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually. *Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional Costs No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do beginners start in social media marketing?
One great place to start is by finding a degree program that specializes in social media. This gives you the opportunity to build an understanding of the industry, as well as the skills you'll need to break into it.
Our online Bachelor's in Social Media marketing degree could give you the strong start you need. You could also explore social media marketing as a supplement to a business degree. Students of our online Associate in Business and online Bachelor's in Business programs, for example, have the option to take social media courses.
For those just starting out, we also offer an online associate in marketing program.
Any one of these pathways can help you build your resume and portfolio, and even prepare you for success in an entry-level role.
How can I learn social media marketing?
Of course, one of the best ways to learn is by doing. That's what makes our online social media marketing degree so special – it helps give students the foundation and practice they need to start their career.
You'll learn from real-world examples, engage with your instructor and peers and discover bold new ways to capture loyal consumers. You'll also spend entire courses developing social media marketing strategies and campaigns.
What can you do with a social media marketing degree?
The benefits of earning a degree in social media marketing are two-fold: on one hand, you get the broad foundational knowledge you need to succeed in a marketing role; on the other, you get the specialized knowledge of social media, which shows employers that you know how to use those channels to help businesses reach their goals.
Equipped with this knowledge, you'll have what it takes to make an impact in your organization. Those with a social media marketing degree can find success in a number of different roles, including:
- Marketing manager - Develop high-level marketing strategies, oversee product development and more.
- Social media manager - Communicate with customers and create brand loyalty through social media channels.
- Brand/product manager - Use performance insights and manage campaign strategies to help grow brands.
- Advertising and promotions manager - Help develop advertising budgets, contracts and media plans.
- Social media coordinator/social media strategist - Plan, execute and monitor social media strategies that help build trust in your brand.
- SEO strategist - Help optimize inbound organic traffic from search engines to websites.
- Online community manager - Build relationships with new and existing clients through social media channels.
Is social media marketing a good career?
Yes. In fact, for those who are passionate about selling products or building brands through social media, it's a great career.
Not only that, social media marketing - and marketing, in general - can appeal to a lot of different types of people.
“The marketing landscape has a lot to offer, and involves both a strategic approach as well as a creative one,” said Dr. Jessica Rogers, associate dean of marketing at SNHU. “So no matter what type of person you are, you can find a home in marketing.”
Beyond the rewards of the work itself, advertising, promotions and marketing managers are often well paid. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these professionals reportedly earned $135,900 in 2019 – well above the median annual pay for all occupations.1 Pair this with a projected job growth percentage of 6% through 2029, and these prospects appear promising.1
Another perk is how exciting the industry can be. Still relatively new by marketing standards, social media marketing is dynamic and ever-evolving. Organizations big and small see social media as a cost-effective alternative to traditional print advertising.
It doesn't just save money, either – social media marketing can help save time, talent and planning, too. Imagine, for example, the work that goes into executing a successful out-of-home (OOH) campaign: from sourcing third-party media companies, to location scouting, to producing hundreds of creative deliverables in a single media buy.
By comparison, social media gives you the power to create and test messages at a low cost, quick turnaround and with far fewer resources.
It's important to note, too, that successful marketing depends on meeting consumers where they are – which is why so many companies turn to social media.
According to a 2020 TechCrunch article, consumers in the United States spend five hours a day on their phones.3 And which apps are they using the most? You guessed it: social media. The article reported that 19% of that time is spent on Facebook’s mobile app and 12% on other social and messaging apps.3
In other words, social media offers endless opportunities to engage consumers in meaningful ways. All it takes is the right marketers to capture hearts and minds.
How can I succeed in social media marketing?
Here's the thing: there is no one way to succeed in social media marketing. That said, our online programs are built to put you on track for a fruitful, rewarding career.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical entry-level education for advertising, promotions and marketing managers is a bachelor's degree. A specialized social media marketing degree can additionally set you apart to employers seeking for those skills.
Looking to build out your resume even more? Earning your BS in Marketing with a concentration in Social Media Marketing can help prepare you for further credentials, such as the HubSpot Social Media Certification.
What is the best social media marketing course?
The "best" social media marketing course depends on what it is you're looking for. That said, here are a few questions to ask when considering which courses are the right fit for you:
- Is the content of the course updated and relevant to today's workforce?
- Will this course help me build the skills I need to start or continue my social media marketing career?
- Is the content engaging and the instructor experienced in their field?
- Will the course help me learn how to use standard industry tools and platforms?
- Can I become more strategic through the content of the course?
At SNHU, we offer several social media marketing courses that fit the bill. Our instructors are industry experts who apply their real-world knowledge to their curriculum – so you can make meaningful connections that prepare you for future success.
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.
References
Sources & Citations (1, 2, 3)
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the Internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm (viewed online December 23, 2020)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2According to more than 9,200 SNHU online students in survey responses from the fall of 2019.
3TechCrunch, U.S. consumers now spend 5 hours per day on mobile devices, on the internet, at https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/03/u-s-consumers-now-spend-5-hours-per-day-on-mobile-devices/(viewed on December 23, 2020).