Official Certificate Program in Public Relations and Social Media Strategy

This non-degree certificate program, offered by the Department of Communication, is designed for college graduates wishing to expand or update their knowledge of Social Media Strategy, but who are not ready to commit to graduate programs leading to a master's degree. The program provides students with a formal option for post-baccalaureate studies. Courses completed as part of this certificate program may later be applied to the department's master program if admission requirements for that program are successfully met and if courses meet the School of Graduate Studies policy for a six-year time limit.

Program Requirements

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Social Media Strategy will require the student to complete a four-course, 12-credit sequence: COMM 508 Public Relations Writing Strategies, COMM 511 Social Media Research and Analytics, COMM 539 Advanced Public Relations and Social Media, and one other course from the department's master's degree program in Strategic Communication. One course can be substituted for one of the three required courses listed above with permission of the student's academic advisor. More information about these courses can be found at www.communication.ccsu.edu/grad.htm. The student must achieve a 3.00 (B) GPA in order to receive the post-baccalaureate certificate. Up to 12 credits may be applied to the M.S. in Communication degree.

Additional Materials Required:

Applicants must submit a current resume, and a writing sample comprised of 500 to 1,000 words which expresses their goals for graduate study and future professional aspirations. Instructions for uploading these documents will be found within the graduate online application.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Applicants seeking admission must present an undergraduate average of B (3.00). Students with an undergraduate GPA of 2.70 through 2.99, or who have been out of school for five years and possess significant professional experience, may apply to be considered for conditional acceptance. Students who meet the above requirements should submit an Application for Graduate Admission, official transcripts, and an application fee directly to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office.

Total Credit Hours: 12

This is a revision of the current OCP in Public Relations/Promotions, including a name change.