We have researched the best online Social Media Marketing degrees at colleges in the U.S. for students, parents, transfer students, and others who want to study social media marketing.
This article includes undergraduate and graduate programs and certificates.
Social Media Marketing is also known as "Digital Marketing".
Online Social Media Marketing degrees are offered as Bachelor's, Master's, and certificates at many colleges and universities.
Social Media Marketing is a growing field. The growth is largely due to the increasing digitization of marketing campaigns combined with the growing use of social media platforms across the world.
According to Statista, there are 5.07 billion people on social media, comprising 62% of the world's population. The largest social media following is currently in China.
During a 2024 survey among marketers worldwide, around 86 percent reported using Facebook for marketing purposes. Instagram and LinkedIn followed, respectively mentioned by 79 and 65 percent of the respondents.
Statista
Social Media Marketing is harnessing the immense power of social media for marketing purposes of organizations within businesses, governments, and non-profits.
Social Media includes companies such as X (formerly known as Twitter), Meta (formerly known as Facebook), Snapchat, MeWe, TikTok, YouTube, Discord, Parler, Substack, Reddit, Quora, and others. They are all in competition for capturing as many people as possible, for as long as possible, in the attention economy.
Social Media has disrupted traditional markets of how we, communicate, get our news, and buy and sell items, among other domains of life.
Getting a social media marketing degree can provide a competitive advantage for marketers to take advantage of the tremendously large and growing opportunities on social media platforms.
Social media marketing refers to using the organic growth of channels or paid advertisements to increase viewers, and improve the bottom line of advertisers and brands.
For fast Marketing degrees, see our article The Best Fast Marketing Degrees - Bachelor's Programs.
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The Best Online Social Media Marketing Degrees
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, North Carolina |
| 2 | University of Florida-Online | Gainesville, Florida |
| 3 | Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, New Hampshire |
| 4 | Arizona State University | Scottsdale, Arizona |
| 5 | Regent University | Virginia Beach, Virginia |
| 6 | Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence, Rhode Island |
| 7 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, Virginia |
| 8 | Purdue Global | West Lafayette, Indiana |
| 9 | Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, Arizona |
| 10 | University of Denver | Denver, Colorado |
| 11 | Georgetown University | Washington, District of Columbia |
| 12 | Duke University | Durham, North Carolina |
| 13 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, New Jersey |
| 14 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, California |
| 15 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, Florida |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
(UNCG)
Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics
Greensboro, North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Greensboro offers an online Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a concentration in Social Media Marketing. This program is also available to on-campus students.
Students learn competencies in these industry-relevant domains:
- Digital marketing analytics
- Search Engine Optimization
- Marketing management
- Consumer behavior
- A/B testing
- Social media marketing
- Analytics
- Search engine marketing
Accreditations include SACS and AACSB. Only 1% of business schools worldwide share the Bryan School’s dual AACSB accreditation in business and accounting.
UNC Greensboro
Students will perform social media marketing projects in various classes for real companies. These classes include:
- Advanced Marketing Management
- Buyer Behavior
- Digital Marketing Analytics
- International Marketing
- Market Research
Company Spotlights are events that connect businesses in the local community to students, as well as giving students information regarding relevant available employment and internship and opportunities.
University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, Florida
The University of Florida offers an online Master of Arts in Mass Communication with a concentration in Social Media.
This 38 credit social media marketing degree can be completed in less than two years. This includes 12 weeks per semester and three semesters per school year. Thirty five credit hours are dedicated to coursework with a three credit capstone course at the end.
Students have the opportunity to take the Branding Using Social Media course which is co-offered by Hootsuite University.
Students can attend Hootsuite during this time for free to study the Hootsuite dashboard and its various features. Those who successfully complete this course will earn a Hootsuite certification.
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
SNHU offers the online Bachelor of Science in Marketing: Social Media Marketing, and the online Bachelor of Science in Marketing: Digital Marketing degrees. Both consist of 120 credit hours.
SNHU accepts students on a rolling basis throughout the year. Students are exposed to a detailed social media marketing curriculum, which has been accredited by both NEASC and ACBSP.
All courses in the Online BS in Marketing: Social Media Marketing hold a special emphasis on social media channels and social media strategies.
Examples of courses include:
- Social Media Marketing Strategy
- Writing for New Media
- Social Media Campaigns
Most students will take two courses per term, with each term lasting 10 weeks. The degree is available completely online, and self-paced for online students.
Arizona State University
College of Integrative Sciences and Arts
Scottsdale, Arizona
Arizona State University offers the online Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication – Social Media Management degree. The program involves 40 classes, for a total of 120 credits.
Students learn content creation and management, which involves designing, writing and learning other industry-relevant techniques for new content.
Courses include:
- Principles of Technical Editing
- Principles of Web Authoring
- Social Media in the Workplace
- Fundamentals of Technical Communication
Each class is seven and a half weeks long.
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia
As a private Christian research institution for higher education, Regent University places a heavy emphasis on ethical practices and student integrity.
This includes the curriculum for the online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies: Internet and Social Media.
Available online or on-campus, students will be exposed to social media theory and practices of writing for the web and using social media platforms. The 120 total credits required for graduation include courses such as:
- Public Speaking
- Narrative Concept and Development
- Introduction to Digital Art
- Communicating in the 21st Century
This social media marketing degree teaches students digital marketing research, digital advertising, and social media strategies.
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Johnson and Wales University Online offers the Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing and Social Media online degree.
Students learn SEO (search engine optimization), content marketing, and digital advertising, as well as how to analyze the data involved in effective social media marketing.
Selection of courses:
- Search Engine Marketing
- Data-Driven Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Marketing Analytics
Students in this online degree program learn digital marketing, social media strategies, and digital analysis to create an effective social media campaign.
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Liberty University is a private, non-profit Christian university, and one of the largest online schools in the nation, in terms of the student body size. This means that there is a potentially vast network of Liberty alumni who work in various fields across the U.S.
Liberty has the online Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication – Social Media Management degree.
The university allows transferring in up to 75% of approved courses.
The program is taken in 8 week long courses.
Credits: 120. This online degree can be completed in 3.5 years.
Students learn how communication and management strategies for social media. This includes learning skills such as brand management and digital marketing for businesses or for yourself.
Students will learn how to operate video and audio recording equipment, how to build customer loyalty, and how to capitalize on emerging social media trends.
Purdue Global
West Lafayette, Indiana
Purdue Global, a leader in online education, offers the online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Digital and Social Media Management degree.
This social media marketing degree program teaches the aspects of Social Media Marketing within a business administration and management framework. This includes B2B (business-to-business), and business-to-consumer (B2C) instruction in social media management.
Students learn how to curate the social media sites of companies. This includes learning public relations, promotion, and digital marketing techniques. Students learn how to analyze the effectiveness of any given social media campaign.
This includes learning how to answer questions such as "Is this ad spend creating value?", and "What's the return on investment?"
Students will also learn how to create and maintain a particular brand. This program teaches students effective marketing strategies, and maximizing profits for businesses.
Grand Canyon University
College of Arts and Media
Phoenix, Arizona
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private, Christian university, and one of the largest online universities in the nation. GCU offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees and certificates.
Students interested in learning more about Social Media opportunities may take the Bachelor of Arts in Social Media at GCU. This unique online and on-campus bachelor's program teaches students to be a social media specialist.
This includes creating and managing content across social media.
A social media specialist can create content for businesses and other organizations, or for themselves. This includes email campaigns and scheduling content uploads.
Credits required: 120 credit hours
Selection of classes:
- Social media reputation management
- Photography and video for social media
- Social media data analytics
- Advertising copywriting
- Multi-Media Journalism in the 21st Century
On campus students may take advantage of the learning laboratory and Canyon Ventures. These students can work with local companies to create content and manage their social media presence and online communities.
Online students have access to the online library, and the class schedules are flexible.
University of Denver
University College
Denver, Colorado
The online Master of Arts in Communication Management: Marketing Communication degree at Denver University is offered through University College.
No GMAT or GRE scores are required for admission, and there is no application fee. During the 12 courses, or 48 credits, required for the program students will be exposed to the theories and practices of navigating communication, digital and social media marketing campaigns, data analysis, analyzing consumer behavior, conducing market research, and much more.
This program is available both on-campus and fully online, with academic terms running for 10 weeks. A shorter six course, or 24 credit, certificate length program is also offered with a more cursory study of the relevant information.
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia
No application is required to attend the Certificate program in Social Media Management offered at Georgetown University.
Students must have the equivalent of a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment. The program is convenient for the working professional with online or on-campus options and open enrollment year round.
Once enrolled, students will be required to complete seven courses, or 4.8 Continuing Education Units, within a two year period for certification. Currently those seven courses are as follows:
- Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- Using Social Media Tools Effectively
- Writing for Social Media
- Strategic Communication Planning
- Measuring and Calculating Return on Investment for Social Media
- Policies and Procedures to Manage Risk
- Capstone Course in Social Media
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
The non-credit Digital Media and Marketing Certificate offered at Duke University is an online, self-paced program.
Though it is self-paced, students must complete all required material in a 12 month time frame. There are nine available modules including:
- Digital Marketing Certified Associate
- Search Engine Optimization Practitioner
- Content Marketing
- Social Media Practitioner
- Mobile Marketing Practitioner
- Pay Per Click Practitioner
- Conversion Optimization Practitioner
- Web Analytics Practitioner
- Email Marketing
Upon completion of the certificate program students may pursue two additional certifications, OMCA or OMCP. Students who finish the requirements will also be granted an additional 12 months of access to any new or updated material.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Rutgers Business School is offering a ten-module Certificate in Social Media Marketing, which is also a mini-MBA.
No GMAT or GRE scores are required to enroll. This completely online program is self-paced with each module consisting of educational videos with follow up exercises and quizzes.
Each course, or module, takes approximately 35 to 40 hours to complete, with all course material being available for up to 12 weeks. Topics of the modules include:
- Content Development
- Leveraging Listening Channels
- Strategy Construction and Implementation
- Crises and Landmines
Students will have to complete a final exam and a final project at the end of the program.
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, California
The Certificate Program in Marketing offered at Berkeley is available both online and in the classroom.
There are no prerequisites to enroll, however a bachelor's degree is recommended. The program consists of four required courses and two electives. The four required courses provide a general overview of marketing research and current social trends. These courses are:
- Introduction to Marketing
- Marketing Research: Concepts and Techniques
- Social Media Marketing Strategies
- Marketing Strategy
The online instructors for these courses are the same Haas School of Business professors who teach in the classrooms. Students have up to five years to complete all the required work which totals an approximate 180 hours of instruction.
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida
There are two Social Media certificates offered at the University of Miami. First is the Social Media Professional Certificate.
This can be a stand alone program, or can be used as a prerequisite to other programs. There are two required courses:
- Understanding Social Media
- Planning and Implementing Digital Media Campaigns
The second offered is the Social Media Strategist Certificate which also requires only two courses:
- What is Social Media and Why it Matters
- Guiding Principles for Social Media Marketing
Both certificates offer self-paced, flexible online education with a wide range of material covered in just two courses. Those topics include:
- Social Media Legal and Ethics
- Identifying Your Target Audience
- Identifying and Building Your Tribe
- Content Creation and Calendaring
- Creating Brand Evangelists
- Monitoring to Manage Reputation
Career Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the median pay for Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers is $138,730 per year, with a 6 percent (6%) expected growth rate, adding 24,300 new positions in the coming 10 years.
Marketing Managers is one of The Best Online Degrees To Get For Careers because of its high income potential and job growth rate.
Ranking Methodology:
Ranking factors are academic reputation, type of degree (Bachelor's, Master's, Certificate), academic prestige, and variety of coursework relevant to the modern social media platforms. We use data from the National Center for Education Statistics, and academic influence data in this ranking. See our ranking methodology for more information.
More Resources:
- Marketing Degrees | A Guide for Students
- The Best Fast Marketing Degrees: Bachelor's Programs
- Online Degrees in Marketing: Overview for Students
- The Best Bachelor's Degrees in Marketing in Texas
- The Best Degrees To Be A Social Media Influencer
- The Best Online Marketing Degrees
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do you need for social media marketing?
The most relevant degrees to become a social media marketer is to get at least a bachelor's degree in Marketing with an emphasis or specialization in Social Media Marketing. These degrees are available on-campus and online at colleges and universities across the United States. There are also master's degrees in Communication that focus on Social Media marketing and messaging, which would set graduates apart in terms of credentials against the competition in the job market.
What should I major in for social media?
Working as a social media manager or marketer usually involves getting at least a bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communication, or Public Relations. There are bachelor's in Marketing degrees that have specializations in Social Media Marketing in particular. Some Communication degrees also include focusing on Social Media messaging, marketing, and analysis within their programs.
What are the benefits of getting a degree in social media marketing?
Getting a degree in Social Media Marketing can potentially offer a variety of benefits and potential career opportunities. This is mostly due to the growing importance and prevalence of social media in today's society, where the social and business worlds combine. In most industries, the ability to effectively use social media platforms for marketing purposes has become essential. Businesses go where the people are.
Social media users are on the rise by 3%. There are 4.76 billion people using social media around the world, which is just under 60% of the world's population, according to Kepios. 64% of the entire world's population is online. So that means that only 4% of online users in the world aren't on social media sites.
Relevant Skillset: With a degree in Social Media Marketing, graduates are equipped with a skillset that is highly relevant in marketing. This includes understanding the mechanisms of different social media platforms, developing engaging content, analyzing social media metrics, and executing effective social media campaigns.
Career Opportunities: The Social Media Marketing field can potentially offer a range of career opportunities. Potential roles include Social Media Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, Content Creator, and more.
Flexibility: This field often offers flexibility in terms of its work environment. Many roles in social media marketing can be performed remotely.
What kind of jobs can I get with a degree in social media marketing?
Potential career prospects are diverse and in-demand in the modern digital business world. Skills gained from Social Media marketing programs can be applied to a wide range of businesses and industries who advertise on social media, thereby granting graduates many potential career opportunities.
Considering the ubiquitous nature of social media in today's market and world economy, the demand for professionals who have mastered social media platforms is high. A bachelor's degree is usually sufficient to equip graduates with the skills needed to land jobs in variety of roles, including:
Social Media Managers, also known as Marketing Managers: This can involve the strategic planning, management, and analysis of social media marketing campaign efforts and spending. The goal is often to develop and analyze social media strategies to increase brand visibility, engage with their target audience, and drive sales or leads across social media channels.
Content Strategist: As a content strategist, your primary responsibility is to plan, develop, and implement a comprehensive content strategy that aligns with the organization's marketing goals.
Digital Marketing Specialist: In this role, you will create and execute online marketing campaigns on various digital platforms, including social media. You will also analyze the performance of these campaigns and make necessary modifications to optimize results.
Community Manager: Community managers build, grow, and manage online communities around a brand or cause. They use social media marketing tools to foster strong relationships between the organization and its audience.
These are a few examples of the many potential career paths available to those with a social media marketing degree. The versatility of this degree can also allow graduates to potentially venture into other roles, including:
- Public Relations Specialist
- Brand Manager
- SEO Specialist
- Marketing Analyst
- Customer Experience Manager
Whether in content creation, data analysis, public relations, or customer engagement, there's likely a role that is relevant to a graduate's career aspirations. The key is to leverage the skills and knowledge gained using social media tools to position yourself as an asset in the field.
What are the typical courses in a social media marketing degree program?
A social media marketing degree program typically includes a wide range of courses in various subjects such as strategic marketing planning, content creation, data analytics, and more. Here is a selection of courses that a student may see:
- Introduction to Social Media Marketing: This is a foundational course that provides an overview of social media marketing concepts, techniques, and best practices. It may cover topics such as the role of social media in a business's overall marketing strategy, the use of various social media platforms, and the basics of creating a social media marketing plan.
- Content Creation: This course usually focuses on skills necessary for creating engaging and effective content. It may cover topics such as copywriting, visual design, video production, and other forms of content curation.
- Data Analytics for Social Media: This course covers the use of data collection tools and techniques to measure and analyze the effectiveness of social media marketing in a given instance. Topics may include social media metrics, data visualization, data-driven decision making, and predictive analytics.
- Social Media Strategy: This course is designed to help students develop a strategic approach to social media marketing. It may cover topics such as audience segmentation, competitive analysis, social media advertising, and crisis management.
- Social Media Ethics: This course addresses ethical considerations in social media marketing, such as privacy issues, intellectual property rights, and the impact of social media on society.
These are courses that social media marketing degrees offer. Each program can have unique courses, so it's important for prospective students to research each program to the level of detail of the courses offered, to see which program best fits their education and career goals. For example, to become a social media data analytics expert, it would be perhaps be best to take a program that offers data analytics courses.
In addition to these core courses, students may also take electives in related areas such as search engine optimization (SEO), digital advertising, public relations, and more. These additional courses can help students broaden their skill set and gain a more holistic understanding.
What is Social Media Marketing?
Social Media Marketing is the use of social media platforms to promote a business or nonprofit or government or other agency or club, etc. A social media marketer spends money and produces content as advertisements on social media platforms such as Reddit, TikTok, Quora, Meta, SnapChat, YouTube, Instagram, and the like. This includes conducting market research, analyzing consumer behavior, and other tasks, when creating a social media marketing strategy.
Market research analysts, for example, determine which social media platforms would best optimize their online advertising budget. One of the most effective marketing approaches is in gaining traffic to a business's social media channels and growing their audience and following.