Social Media
Social media is a dynamic, innovative field that has evolved into a channel for personal and professional communication and has grown to encompass several traditional business and communication practices.
- Learn fully-online how social media is applied to marketing, corporate branding, fundraising, and corporate communication
- Benefit from supportive and experienced facilitators who are active in their industry
- Courses are built with flexibility in mind and can be accessed anytime and from anywhere
Program Availability and Schedule
Availability
Availability varies by course. Click here to view availability for courses in this program.
Schedule
Given the part-time delivery of this program, there is not a standard schedule for all learners.
Program Summary
Credential
Program Code
Area of Interest
Learners collaborate and explore how social media is applied to marketing, corporate branding, fundraising, social media campaigns within organizations, and how it supports employee engagement, retention and corporate communication. Social media helps build a solid foundation for digital marketing and helps the learner gain applicable skills in the digital field. Through case studies, online discussions and assignments, learners develop the skills and competencies required to effectively utilize social media tools. Graduates broaden their practice, may expand career opportunities and stay current in emergent trends in social media.
To qualify for this certificate, you must complete the program within two years....(read more)
Overview
Social media is a dynamic, innovative field that has evolved into a channel for personal and professional communication and has grown to encompass several traditional business and communication practices. In this unique College Certificate program, learners explore five key areas related to social media: theory and foundations, designing social media strategies, monitoring and evaluation, digital communication and applied social media practices for organizations.
Learners collaborate and explore how social media is applied to marketing, corporate branding, fundraising, social media campaigns within organizations, and how it supports employee engagement, retention and corporate communication. Social media helps build a solid foundation for digital marketing and helps the learner gain applicable skills in the digital field. Through case studies, online discussions and assignments, learners develop the skills and competencies required to effectively utilize social media tools. Graduates broaden their practice, may expand career opportunities and stay current in emergent trends in social media.
To qualify for this certificate, you must complete the program within two years.
SUCCESS FACTORS This program is well-suited for students who: . Possess strong communication skills. . Are interested in communication technology. . Enjoy interacting with others in group settings. . Are self-directed in a dynamic team environment. . Adapt well to new and emerging technologies.Courses
Registration Note:
If you would like to take courses individually or start the program part time, you are not required to apply to the program. You can register for up to three courses per term by clicking on the course title and selecting "Register Online".
Online  |
| Course Number | Hours | Course Name | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COM0011 | 42.0 | Introduction to Social Media | | |
| COM0012 | 42.0 | Developing a Social Media Strategy | | |
| COM0013 | 42.0 | Monitoring and Measurement | | |
| COM0014 | 42.0 | Digital Communication | | |
| COM0015 | 42.0 | Applied Social Media in Business | | |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
COM0011 Introduction to Social Media
Learners explore the fundamentals of social media. Topics covered include an introduction to social media, the evolution of social media, how it has changed and expanded, and explore how it affects our lives and our livelihoods through other emerging technologies and tools, current trends and future directions, benefits, values and risks. Learners analyze case studies to assess how social media impacts and influences fields, such as communication and marketing, and how it informs future trends and developments.
COM0012 Developing a Social Media Strategy
Learners develop a social media strategy. The focus is on skills-building and on creating and implementing a social media strategy including identifying and working with social media tools, assessing how tools support overall branding, advertising, marketing and/or communication strategies. Learners explore, identify and engage online communities that support internal and external social media strategies. In addition, learners are introduced to resources that aid in the development and implementation of effective social media strategies and differences between the major social media channels, their evolution, and the current and future status of social media for business. Through case studies, learners explore both best practices and cautions when designing social media strategies.
Pre-requisites: COM0011
COM0013 Monitoring and Measurement
Learners explore how to monitor and measure the impact of a social media strategy or social media efforts. Specifically, learners learn which tools are available for monitoring and measuring social media efforts. Through online discussion, learners discuss the challenges of ongoing measurement in a rapidly changing field and explore strategies for addressing these challenges. Learners are also introduced to basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and how social media efforts can lead to increased and effective website traffic.
Pre-requisites: COM0011
COM0014 Digital Communication
Social media requires a different approach to communication and writing in terms of how you write, who you are communicating with and how your message is received. Using social media tools, learners practise and assess their social media writing capacity. Topics, such as generational preferences, integrating informal writing and communication for corporate purposes, personal branding and communicating appropriately to different target groups using different digital communication tools are explored. Learners discuss the importance of building an online personal brand and develop a personal blog for the purposes of branding and managing their online reputation.
Pre-requisites: COM0011
COM0015 Applied Social Media in Business
Learners explore the application of social media in business organizations. A range of topics, such as corporate branding, fundraising, social media advocacy campaigns, how to realign and utilize traditional approaches to marketing, and advertising and branding using social media are discussed. Best practices for using social media as a learning and collaboration tool within organizations and in a professional networking and expertise-sharing capacity are also discussed and established. Learners will develop the skills to assess and identify the suitability of social media platforms, the importance of ethical and respectful communication in building professional relationships, the delivery of outstanding customer service and an understanding of the importance of networking with professionals via social networks.
Pre-requisites: COM0011 and COM0012 and COM0013 and COM0014
Careers & Pathways
Careers
Graduates may seek employment opportunities within public, private and not-for-profit organizations and in a number of fields, such as marketing, advertising, communication, web design and writing/editing where social media is embedded as part of the organization's business and communications practices. Graduates may also work remotely whether an employer or as a social media Influencer.
Pathways
Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Select appropriate tools for social media strategies.
- Combine traditional marketing and/or communication practices with social media strategies.
- Design and develop a comprehensive social media plan.
- Monitor, evaluate and revise social media strategies.
- Align social media initiatives with corporate goals, branding and communication practices.
- Communicate effectively in a social media environment utilizing a variety of social media and social networking communication tools and practices.
- Track and analyze evolving trends and tools to gauge the level of adoption within an organization.
Tuition & Fees
2024/2025 Academic Year
Fees are subject to change.
Fees for part-time programs are charged on a course-by-course basis and are published on each individual course page. For questions related to fees, please call the Registrar's Office at 613-727-0002.
Graduation Fee:
Once you have completed all the courses in the program, it is the responsibility of the student to complete a credential application (https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/certificationgraduating/). A graduation fee is charged when the application is submitted. After your credential application has been approved, you will be invited to Convocation.
Admissions Requirements
All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.
College Eligibility
The following requirements are recommended to ensure success in the program:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; OR
- Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
- General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
- Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program).
Program Eligibility
The following requirement is recommended to ensure success in the program:
- English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent).
- Computer and Internet proficiency.
- This program is recommended for individuals with professional backgrounds in a number of fields including marketing, advertising, communication, web design and writing/editing.
- It is recommended applicants with international transcripts have the following IELTS or TOEFL scores to ensure success: IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT) Overall 80, with a minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 110, minimum of 110 in Literacy and no score below 95.
Application Information
Registration Note:
If you would like to take courses individually or start the program part time, you are not required to apply to the program. You can register for up to three courses per term by clicking on the course title and selecting "Register Online".
Additional Information
Program Resources
International students wishing to study online should visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/international for information related to International online students and for International fees information prior to registering. Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.
Available flexible scheduling options allow students the opportunity to complete the program within as little as two terms or as long as two years.
PRIOR LEARNING AND RECOGNITION (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.
AC Online ACADEMIC PLANNER:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore, essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under 'Part-time Students' on the left-hand toolbar.
PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed).
Contact
For additional information, please contact AC Online at online@algonquincollege.com or 613-727-4723 ext. 3330.