Key takeaways
- A social media degree can prepare you for diverse career opportunities in various fields such as marketing, advertising, branding, and more.
- You can pursue a degree in the field at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
- At the undergraduate level, a bachelor’s degree features a comprehensive curriculum making students eligible for a variety of job roles.
- You can pursue a degree in social media marketing, social media management, or social media content creation, including social media design.
- Colleges offering a degree in the field include the University of Grand Canyon, Liberty University, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro among others.
- Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, and Southern New Hampshire University offer an online program.
- Digital marketing manager, branding manager, and social media manager are just some job opportunities you can explore with a bachelor’s degree.
Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. Over the years, social media has evolved from information exchange forums to digital interaction platforms. Today, such platforms shape our lives as we know them and are at the heart of not just social but also business interactions.
In this guide, we discuss in detail the available degrees in social media, their program details, and the career opportunities they present. We also provide lists of colleges from which you can pursue them.
What is social media?
Social media is defined as the use of digital platforms, tools, and technologies that allow users to communicate, and send information, including images, and videos. The communication and transmission of information happen via virtual networks.
Throughout the years, these platforms have evolved and continued to become increasingly sophisticated. Today, the most popular social media platforms include TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Quora, and Reddit among others. However, the field is growing at an unprecedented rate and the algorithms for social media platforms are constantly updated to keep up with the advancements in digital media.
Formal education in the field can help you develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to stay current and relevant in the field.
What does a social media degree entail?
A degree in the field equips students with a diverse range of skills essential for different operations in the field, including content creation, management, and marketing. Through the program, you will learn a variety of skills including the ability to create content, analyze data, create content creation strategies, and more. You can pursue an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in the field at the undergraduate level. Advanced degrees in the field include a masters or a PhD.
Associate degree
Associate degrees last two years and are offered by 2-year community colleges and some universities across the United States. The program can help you develop competencies in content creation, search engine optimization, and more. Graduates with an associate degree are eligible for a bachelor’s degree or for some entry-level roles in the field.
Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree lasts 4 years and is offered by 4-year colleges and universities in the US. It features a more comprehensive curriculum equipping students with expansive knowledge and a wide range of skills in the field. A bachelor’s degree makes graduates eligible for the complete range of job roles in the field.
Master’s degree
A Master’s degree lasts 1 to 3 years depending on the college, program type, and the student’s learning pace. Those enrolled in a research program have to successfully complete and publish their research in order to graduate. With an advanced degree, you gain specialized knowledge in social media and become eligible for managerial and senior-level positions in the field.
Doctoral degree
A doctoral program is ideal for those who want to go into research or academia. With a PhD, you develop the skills needed to conduct research in the field, while also gaining hands-on experience through the program. Additionally, you will need to conduct and publish research as part of the PhD program, which is why it can last anywhere from 3 to 5 years and even more if required.
Bachelor’s degree in social media – program details
At the undergraduate level, a bachelor’s degree in social media has better scope in terms of learning and career opportunities. Thus, for aspiring professionals, hoping to learn the ins and outs of the program, it is the ideal entry-level program. At the bachelor’s level, you can pursue a degree in different areas within social media. Available options include:
- Social media
- Social media management
- Social media marketing
- Digital design
You will either come across a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in one of the above-mentioned areas. Neither a BS nor a BA is better than the other but there are some differences between the two.
A BS program features a heavy focus on science and mathematics building technical and analytics skills. In comparison, a BA program focuses on communication and problem-solving skills and features liberal arts and humanities courses besides core-specific ones.
Bachelor’s degree
Colleges and universities across the US offer a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in the field at the bachelor level. The program is ideal for those who want to learn how to create content for social media platforms. Through the curriculum, you will develop an in-depth understanding of the functioning and communication of different digital platforms.
The scope of the program is vast, enabling graduates to develop the skill set needed for a variety of roles. These include but are not limited to content strategists, content creators, social media managers, and more.
Program curriculum
A BS/BS social media degree features 120 to 135 credits split between the categories of general education, core-specific, and electives. The exact distribution varies by college and program type as discussed earlier. However, the core-specific courses generally cover the same topics even if the names vary. Here are some courses you may encounter in the program.
- Introduction to Social Media
- Digital Photography
- Videography
- Data and Analytics
- Reputation Management
- Design Thinking
- Social Media Campaign
- Multi-Media Journalism
- Digital Media Communications
- Building Communities
- Data Analytics
Additionally, if you are pursuing a BA degree, you may come across courses such as:
- Effective Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Global Awareness, Perspectives, and Ethics
Skills learned
A social media degree features a blended curriculum prioritizing both theoretical knowledge and the development of practical skills through projects and experiential learning. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of social media interactions, engagement, strategizing, and content creation. Some skills you will learn in this program include:
- Copywriting for advertising
- Campaign creation
- Photography and Video Production
- Data analytics
- Digital journalism
- Content planning and strategizing
- Target audience identification
- Search engine optimization
- Driving engagement
- Creating social media calendars
Bachelor’s in social media management
To become a social media manager, you need at least a bachelor’s degree and relevant work experience in all aspects of the field, including content creation, design, and marketing. A bachelor’s degree in social media management features a variety of courses ranging from content creation, branding, and advertising, to understanding the target audience, marketing, and more.
Not many colleges and universities offer a standalone degree in social media management. You can pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in social media to develop managerial and administrative capabilities essential for managerial roles in the field.
However, if you are looking for a stand alone degree int he field, Arizona State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Social Media Management with a focus on technical communication.
Program curriculum
The exact program curriculum for a social media management degree will vary depending on the focus area of the program. So, for example, the program offered by ASU focuses heavily on building competencies in technical communications and thus features courses such as:
- Copyright and Intellectual Property in the Electronic Age
- Principles of Technical Editing
- Fundamentals of Technical Communication
- Introduction to Psychology
- The Digital Audience
If technical communications are not your field of interest, then you can pursue a bachelor’s degree in social media management, media studies, journalism, or mass communication degree. Courses in the program can potentially include:
- Social Media Metrics and Evaluation
- Introduction to Multimedia Communication
- Branding Using Social and Mobile Media
- Content Management
Skills learned
The skills a social media manager requires are vast. From learning to create content, analyzing and refining it, and curating content strategies tailored for the identified target audience, to customer management, crisis handling, and more. Through a the program, you will develop competencies in the:
- Technical writing
- Advertising
- Campaign creation
- Branding
- Internal and external communications
- Analytics
- Marketing
- Data visualization
- Crisis management
Bachelor’s in social media marketing
Digital marketing is one of the most important aspects of business operations in today’s digitally driven world. E-commerce, social media, and other digital platforms are of the utmost importance for businesses when trying to reach customers. Thus, a social media marketing degree is a popular choice and one of the most widely offered social media degrees.
Through the program, you will develop the skills needed to create marketing strategies, campaigns, and content. You will learn analytics, and other digital tools essential for marketing. These include search engine optimization, paid marketing tools, and platforms, advertising copywriting, and more.
Program curriculum
A social media marketing degree features a blended curriculum with courses covering a wide range of topics. These include brand building, media communications, creative writing, campaign design, and marketing. Additionally, students will develop a comprehensive understanding and technical competencies for multiple platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and more.
Some topics you will cover in the program include:
- Professional Selling
- Consumer Behavior
- Marketing Strategy
- Advanced Marketing Management
- Sales Leadership
- Brand Development
- Strategic Market Planning
- Entrepreneurial Marketing
- Digital Advertising
- Sports Marketing
Skills learned
The program equips graduates with strong technical skills that are highly in demand. As print and other traditional forms of media sizzle out, social media and other digital platforms take over traditional marketing tactics. Through the program, you will develop the skills needed to lead marketing campaigns and achieve business goals. Skills you will develop include:
- Search engine marketing
- Campaign development strategies
- Primary and secondary analysis
- Web analytics
- A/B testing
- Email marketing
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Marketing management
- Strategic planning
- Project management
Bachelor’s in digital design/ game design
If you want to go into content creation or designing posts, a bachelor’s degree in digital design with a concentration in social media design is the ideal option. You can also pursue a graphic design degree or a bachelor’s degree in game design. Through these programs, you will learn how to overcome the complexities of designing content for an ever-evolving digital landscape and audience.
Program curriculum
Regardless of which program you choose, you will learn the fundamentals of digital designing and content creation for a digital audience. Some courses you can expect to take in the design concentration include:
- Motion Graphics
- Identity Design
- Typography
- Introduction to Digital Media
- Interactive Design
- History of Graphic Design
- Marketing
- Professional Communication
Skills learned
Through a digital design degree, you can potentially develop the following skills:
- Versatility in design
- Adobe InDesign
- Illustrative Design
- 2D and 3D Modelling
- Animation
- Adobe Illustrator
- Lighting and typography
Where can I study social media?
Regardless of which field you want to pursue within the field, you will find many colleges and universities in the United States offering a social media degree for you to choose from. Here is a list of some that offer an on-campus program.
| College | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Grand Canyon University | 78% | 47% | $17,450 |
| Minot State University | 93% | 45% | $8,634 |
| Albertus Magnus College | 80% | 78% | $39,924 |
| Liberty University | 99% | 29% | $21,222 |
| Belmont University | 96% | 70% | $41,320 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 92% | 59% | $7,593 in-state
$23,339 out-of-state |
| Lindenwood University | 74% | 51% | $21,100 |
| Johnson & Wales University | 68% | 65.3% | $13,365 |
| Rider University | 84% | 67% | $38,900 |
| Northwest Missouri State University | 86% | 51% | $442.10/credit (in-state)
$721.80/credit (out-of-state) |
Social media management schools for online programs?
There are several colleges and universities in the United States offering an online degree in the field. Here are a few from where you can pursue an online program.
| College | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Grand Canyon University | 78% | 47% | $17,450 |
| Southern New Hampshire University | 96% | 39% | $16,450 |
| Arizona State University Online | 90% | 66% | $12,051 in-state
$32,193 out-of-state |
Advantages of pursuing an online degree
Online programs have existed for quite some time, but they gained popularity when they became essential – during COVID-19. However, they have retained their popularity and demand owing to the number of benefits online programs present.
Firstly, online degrees remove geographical barriers, making high-quality education from colleges and universities across the world regardless of their country of residence. Additionally, the overall cost of attendance in distance learning programs is significantly lower than that for traditional on-campus programs.
As an online student, you don’t have to worry about transport, accommodation, and the subsequent costs that come with it. Integrational students in particular benefit from virtual learning programs as they don’t have to worry about obtaining a visa or cross-border shifting.
Moreover, pursuing a degree online offers greater flexibility and convenience to students. Whether a student is enrolled in a synchronous program, requiring real-time participation, or an asynchronous program, where real-time participation isn’t a prerequisite, students enjoy being able to attend classes from anywhere.
Lastly, the time saved by not having to commute can be utilized to pursue employment opportunities. It also allows students to have a better work-life balance and build a professional portfolio.
Disadvantages of pursuing a degree online
A virtual learning program, though offers many benefits, is not for everyone. Some major disadvantages include the social isolation they bring. The lack of social interaction, networking opportunities, and real-time participation somewhat hinders the students’ learning experience.
Additionally, students are responsible for ensuring they are capable and able to take care of all technical challenges. Online learners cannot rely on technical support from campus professionals or on-campus resources.
Lastly, distance learners must be disciplined and excellent at time management to make the most of the program. Being in charge of one’s learning pace can be a benefit and a curse depending on how a student tackles it.
Social media jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree in the field can prepare you for a variety of roles. Here are some that you become eligible for depending on which area you specialize in and build a skill set in through your learning curriculum.
| Job title | Average salary |
| Social Media Manager | $55,962 |
| Digital Marketing Manager | $89,864 |
| Brand Manager | $110,901 |
| Content Writer | $61,047 |
| Social Media Specialist | $53,390 |
| Social Media Analyst | $52,985 |
| Marketing Communications Associate | $66,296 |
| Content Manager | $63,134 |
Industry overview and hiring trends
The average annual salary for all occupations in the United States is $48,060 as per data published by the United Bureau of Labor Statistics. The majority of occupations you can pursue with a degree in social media have an average annual wage near or around that of the average. Some job roles such as Brand Manager, or Digital Marketing Manager are jobs with high earning potential, making them great career paths to explore.
With a formal education, you can pursue a variety of traditional and remote jobs, including roles in social media such as marketing manager, content manager, content specialist, content designer, and more. However, if remote jobs are not what you aspire to pursue, you can pursue jobs in private for-profit and nonprofit organizations, public corporations, government institutions, and more.
As per a report by Statista, over 90,000 employees work in big tech companies behind social media platforms such as Facebook, X/Twitter, Snapchat, and more. The report also highlights that as of 2022, the majority of companies had a higher share of male workers except for Pinterest with 53% employed women in the workforce.
Currently, ensuring gender diversity and equal employment opportunities is on the agenda of big tech companies with social media platforms. As for required minimum education, employers prefer job applicants with a diverse skill set and a bachelor’s degree in social media or a relevant field. However, with formal education, the right skill set is essential for most job roles in the field.
Industry overview
Statista reports that in 2023 alone, the total number of social media users in the world exceeded five billion. Out of the total, the United States has 308 million users as of 2023. Each user presents an earning opportunity for tech companies. In 2023, Meta alone earned USD 134 billion.
In contrast, platforms such as LinkedIn do not generate the same amount of revenue, earning USD 15 billion in the same year. The contrast highlights the popularity and usage of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, especially in the United States which leads the global market in terms of advertising revenue generated through these platforms. The US spent $72.3 billion on social media advertising in 2023 with the highest share being spent on Facebook ads.
China and the United Kingdom come second and third with only China giving the US any competition spending USD 71 billion on advertising. The United Kingdom only spent USD 9 billion. The reason marketers in the US spend such significant amounts on advertising is that increased traffic has proven to be advantageous for business operations as highlighted in the report by Statista.
Frequently asked questions about the program
When searching for a program, its scope, and earning potential, you should also explore what others are searching for. If you are interested in pursuing a formal education in social media, here are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the field and the available degrees for aspiring professionals.
Can I be a social media manager without a degree?
The answer to this question will vary depending on your career aspirations. If you want to seek employment in professional organizations, private or public corporations, or governmental organizations, then no you cannot become a social media manager without a degree. Employers in these sectors seek job applicants with formal qualifications such as a bachelor’s degree in the field.
However, some employers do emphasize skills over degrees, and you may be able to gain employment in the field without a formal degree provided you have the relevant skills. With the right skill set, you can also pursue a career as a freelancer in the field.
Do you need a degree in social media marketing?
You need the right skills and knowledge to pursue a career in social media marketing, and a bachelor’s degree in the field is one way to develop the relevant skills and knowledge. However, even without a degree, if you learn marketing fundamentals, campaign design, and master marketing tools and technologies, you can become an expert marketer.
What can you do with a social media marketing degree?
With a social marketing degree, you can pursue job opportunities in a wide range of organizations ranging from private for-profit, non-profit organizations, and public corporations, to government organizations. You can pursue job roles in social media such as marketing manager, marketing specialist, marketing analyst, digital marketing manager, and branding manager.
Is YouTube social media?
Yes, YouTube falls under the category of social media platforms. It is a video-sharing platform that allows users to upload short and long-form video content for others to watch, discuss, and engage with. It is one of the most popular video-sharing platforms in today’s digital landscape, especially for long-form video content.
Build in-demand skills with a bachelor’s degree in social media – enroll today!
By enrolling in a relevant bachelor’s degree, you can build the expertise required for jobs in the field. These include social media marketing, social media design, content production, and management. Choose from one of the several US colleges and universities offering a bachelor’s degree in the field.
You can also use All Bachelor Degrees’ AI College Search Tool to make the college hunt process easier. The platform also offers an AI College Essay Writing Tool to help students generate unique essays for their college applications.