The Online Certificate in Social Media Management prepares you with the tools needed to plan, execute, and assess a comprehensive and effective social media campaign. Through a combination of case study analyses, lectures, projects, and simulations, you’ll master the art of crafting an authentic and effective voice for your organization and community.
Our faculty comprises seasoned industry experts and social media practitioners, who bring real-world experience and expertise directly into the classroom. By the end of the program, you’ll understand how to create a compelling social media presence that engages audiences and drives impact.
Upon successful completion of the certificate, you’ll be able to:
- Navigate leading social media platforms
- Develop comprehensive social media strategies
- Implement social media campaigns
- Build cross-platform communication plans
- Create compelling content for social media channels
- Measure and calculate ROI for social media efforts
- Mitigate risk on Social Media as a manager or as a team member
Curriculum & Schedule
Professional development and certificate classes will be offered in two formats: Live Online and Online. Live Online classes are taught in real-time by Georgetown instructors using Zoom video conferencing. Online classes are taught using Canvas, our learning management system, and can be completed at your own pace. Both formats are designed to provide our professional learners with a high-quality, engaging educational experience. For more information on which format is best for you, please contact Program Support at pdcprograms@georgetown.edu.
You must successfully complete six required courses for a total of 4.80 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which is equivalent to 48.0 contact hours. All six courses must be completed within a two-year period.
| Number |
Title |
CEUs |
| XCPD-760 |
Using Social Media Tools Effectively |
0.7 |
| XCPD-762 |
Writing for Social Media |
0.7 |
| XCPD-761 |
Social Media Strategies & Tactics |
0.7 |
| XCPD-765 |
Measuring & Calculating Return on Investment for Social Media |
0.7 |
| XCPD-763 |
Policies and Procedures to Manage Risk |
0.7 |
| XCPD-766 |
Capstone Course in Social Media |
1.3 |
What Is Live Online Learning?
Live online instruction is enhanced by incorporating various instructional practices and technology tools. Features such as Zoom video conferencing, breakout rooms, and chat allow for real-time interaction and collaboration among learners. Tools like Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Canvas Groups facilitate teamwork and information sharing within the learning community. Polling, surveys, and threaded discussion boards promote active engagement and the expression of opinions. It is important to foster social respect, privacy, and incorporate Jesuit values to create a supportive and inclusive online environment. By utilizing these practices and tools effectively, live online instruction can be engaging, interactive, and conducive to meaningful learning experiences.
What Is Asynchronous Online Learning?
Course materials for this self-guided course can be accessed at your convenience within the specified time frame. These materials are uploaded to Canvas, an online learning management platform, and include a variety of resources such as text-based lecture notes, interactive learning modules, and pre-recorded lectures and podcasts. You are responsible for completing assignments based on your understanding of the course material while meeting specified deadlines for each assignment. The self-paced nature of the course allows you to review information, take notes, and practice retention without worrying about the speed of a lecture or the pace of your classmates. This flexibility enables you to shape your learning experience according to your individual needs and preferences, ensuring a personalized and effective educational journey.
How to Register
Program Prerequisites
Students are expected to have working knowledge of common social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and Pinterest. Students are encouraged to open accounts to begin gaining experience with each platform before starting the program.
Please review the refund policies in our Student Handbook before completing your registration.
Degree Requirement
You must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in order to enroll in our certificate programs.
Registration
This certificate is an open-enrollment program. No application is required. Click the "Register Now" button, select your courses, and then click "Add to Cart". Course registration is complete when your payment is processed. You will receive a confirmation email when your payment is received. Please retain the payment confirmation message for your records.
You can combine on-campus and online courses (if available) to complete your certificate. Depending on the certificate program, we may suggest taking courses in a specific order, but this is not a requirement.
Most students register for all courses at the same time and complete their certificate within a few months. However, you may choose to register for courses one by one over time. Once you begin a certificate, you have up to two years from the time you start your first course to complete all required courses.
International Students
International students who enter the U.S. on a valid visa are eligible to enroll in certificate courses. However, Georgetown University cannot sponsor student visas for noncredit professional certificate programs.
A TOEFL examination is not required for non-native English speakers but students are expected to read, write, and comprehend English at the graduate level to fully participate in and gain from the program.
Students from most countries may register for our online certificate programs; however, due to international laws, residents of certain countries are prohibited from registering.
For more information on our online policies, please visit the Online Students page.
Tuition & Funding
Tuition varies by course. Total program tuition for all 6 courses is $4,794. Most course materials are included.
Funding
Noncredit professional certificates do not qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, or needs-based aid. However, several finance and funding options do exist, as listed below.
Employer Education and Training Budgets
Some employers offer funding for employee education or professional development. If an employer guarantees payment for employee education and training, Georgetown will accept an Intent to Pay form. If you are using employer sponsorship or training authorizations, you must submit an Intent to Pay form with your registration.
If your employer will pay for your tuition, select “Third-Party Billing” as your method of payment when you register for courses online. Please submit an Intent to Pay form indicating that your employer or another third party should be billed for tuition. Invoices will not be generated without this form on file.
Federal Agency Training Funds*
- According to the Federal Employees Almanac 2014, federal agencies may:
- Pay training and education expenses from appropriated funds or other available funds for training needed to support program functions
- Reimburse employees for all or part of the costs of training or education
- Share training and education costs with employees
- Pay travel expenses for employees assigned to training
- Adjust an employee's normal work schedule for educational purposes not related to official duties
Georgetown accepts Standard Form-182 (SF-182) for training authorizations from the federal government.
*Federal employees should ask the appropriate budget officer about training budgets available.
Georgetown Employee TAP Benefits
Eligible Georgetown employees may use their Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) benefits to fund 90% of the certificate program tuition—employees will be invoiced for the remaining 10% of tuition and must pay any other charges associated with their certificate program. Employees using TAP benefits may work directly with the HR Benefits Office to ensure payment prior to the start of any course. This payment option is only valid if registration occurs at least 10–14 business days prior to the start date of the first course. Any fees incurred due to course withdrawal are the student’s responsibility and are not funded by Georgetown University TAP. For questions regarding TAP benefits, please contact the HR/Benefits Office at tapbenefits@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-2500.
Interest-Free Payment Plan
The professional certificate programs offer an interest-free payment plan for certificate programs that are more than one month in duration and for which the total tuition is greater than or equal to $4,000. The payment plan is structured in the following manner:
- Payment #1: A down payment of 25% of the total tuition balance must be paid online (within 72 hours after you register and select Payment Plan) via the Noncredit Student Portal. Please submit your down payment as soon as possible.
- Payments #2, #3, and #4: Your remaining balance will be due in three (3) equal monthly installments beginning 30 calendar days after your down payment is processed. Your monthly payments must be paid via credit card in the Noncredit Student Portal. You will be able to access each invoice and payment due date in your student account.
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PLEASE NOTE: Automatic Payment Service is not available. You must make each subsequent payment via the Noncredit Student Portal.
Private Education Loans
Some students choose to finance certificate programs with private education loans. Students are responsible for contacting lenders directly to find out if a noncredit professional certificate program is eligible for a loan. While Georgetown University will not recommend specific lenders, it will certify loans for eligible programs from approved lenders.
For eligible noncredit professional certificate programs, Georgetown University will certify loan amounts up to the full cost of tuition for the program. Tuition does not cover books, travel, or living expenses. Please see individual program pages for tuition rates.
Georgetown University has a unique campus code for Sallie Mae. Our Sallie Mae branch code is 001445-99.
You must be approved for a loan before registering for courses. Follow these steps to pursue a loan option:
- Check the list of lenders that have offered private education loans in the past to Georgetown University students.
- Contact the lender and confirm your program is eligible for a private education loan.
- Obtain the necessary paperwork and apply for the loan.
- Georgetown will certify loan amounts based on the information below. Please note that our branch code is 001445-99.
- If approved, register for courses:
- Payment sent to Georgetown: Select “Third-Party Payment” at the time of registration if the lender is sending funds directly to Georgetown.
- Enter the information about the lender and then contact Noncredit Student Accounts at noncreditaccounts@georgetown.edu.
Note: It is your responsibility to contact Georgetown University Noncredit Student Accounts at noncreditaccounts@georgetown.edu to ensure that your loan is processed.
Registering for Courses Over Time
While you may choose to complete your certificate program in one semester, many programs (but not all) allow up to two years to complete all requirements. As a result, you may choose to register for required and elective courses over several semesters to spread out the cost of tuition over time. We generally offer every course in a program each semester, so you'll have many opportunities to enroll in required and elective courses within the two-year time frame.
Tuition Discounts
Only one tuition discount may be applied at the time of registration. Tuition discounts cannot be combined. Tuition discounts are not applied retroactively. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu with any questions.
GU Alumni 30% Discount
Georgetown University alumni and SCS certificate completers are eligible to receive a 30% tuition discount for many certificates offered within SCS’s Professional Development & Certificates (PDC) portfolio. When registering for an eligible certificate through the SCS website, you will see the "30% Georgetown Alumni Discount" as an option. The Enrollment Team will then verify your eligibility status as a Georgetown University alumnus or certificate completer.
Organization (5+ Employees) 20% Discount
Georgetown SCS offers a 20% discount for eligible certificates to organizations that register 5 or more employees for the same certificate cohort at the same time. Eligible organizations include government agencies, nonprofit agencies, and for-profit businesses. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu for steps and procedures to ensure your group has access to the discount.
Boeing 10% Discount
Employees of Boeing receive a 10% tuition discount on select programs and courses
EdAssist 10% Discount
Employees of companies that belong to the EdAssist education network may receive a 10% tuition discount on select programs and courses. Contact EdAssist directly to find out if you qualify.
Still Have Questions?
Certificate Admissions and Enrollment
Email: pdcprograms@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-7000
Student Accounts
Email: noncreditaccounts@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-7696
Certifying Military Benefits
Email: pdcvabenefits@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 784-7321
