Social Media Foundations Certificate
3 Courses
63 Hours
Online
Program Description
Today, 60% of the global population uses social media! People spend an average of 2.5 hours per day on social media, making platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) some of the most powerful tools for communication, connection, and commerce. For businesses and professionals alike, understanding how social media works—and how to use it strategically—is no longer optional. It’s essential.
The Social Media Foundations Certificate equips you with the skills to build an authentic online presence, engage audiences, and drive measurable impact - instructed by leading social media industry experts and practitioners.
This program helps you create, manage, and evaluate high-impact campaigns. Gain hands-on experience in Google Analytics, Meta Business Suite, and Hootsuite to plan, execute, and measure high-impact campaigns. Learn to track audience engagement, boost brand visibility, and use analytics to refine your strategy to generate revenue and increase brand awareness.
Questions? Please contact our program team: techprog@ualberta.ca
Who Will Benefit?
The Social Media Foundations Certificate is designed for working professionals seeking a flexible learning experience that provides practical skills to apply immediately.
- 🗸 Marketing and communications professionals looking to strengthen their social media and analytics expertise, sharpen their digital strategy, and stay competitive in a fast-changing field.
- 🗸 Entrepreneurs and small business owners aiming to build their digital presence, connect with customers online, and grow their revenue through social media.
- 🗸 Aspiring social media professionals ready to launch a career in digital marketing, transition into social media, or content creation roles.
- 🗸 Freelancers and creatives seeking to promote their work, build a personal brand, or manage social media client campaigns.
- 🗸 Professionals in customer-facing roles (e.g., sales, PR, customer success) who need to understand how social media influences engagement, understand and interpret social media analytics, and build trust on social platforms.
- 🗸 Freelancers and Consultants aiming to enhance client offerings with up-to-date knowledge of digital business risks and responsibilities.
Whether you're building a business, managing a brand, or advancing your career, the Social Media Foundations Certificate gives you the tools to speak the language of digital audiences—and drive real results.
What You'll Learn
- 🗸Develop an integrated social media marketing strategy that aligns with business goals, strengthens brand reputation, and drives audience engagement.
- 🗸Analyze digital metrics and interpret analytics to inform data-driven decisions and improve campaign performance and ROI.
- 🗸Utilize leading social media tools and platforms effectively, understanding their unique audiences and marketing capabilities.
- 🗸Apply best practices for content creation, audience targeting, and message delivery across various digital channels.
- 🗸Understand how to integrate organic, earned, and paid media into a cohesive digital marketing strategy.
What You'll Earn
- 🗸 Some certificates may also provide a pathway toward a diploma. Please refer to the program mapping chart, where available, to confirm eligibility.
- This program is comprised of three courses. Each course is 21 hours, for a total of 63 instructional hours.
- It’s recommended that you take EXSM 3915 Social Media Foundations as your first course, but this is not a requirement.
- It’s designed for part-time study and can generally be completed within one year.
- You have the flexibility to schedule courses around your availability. Most students complete 1-2 courses per semester.
- Grading is through assessments, which might include quizzes, exams, discussion forums, papers, and presentations.
- It’s a flexible online experience, with courses offered asynchronously. More info about online delivery formats can be found here.
- Course materials are shared in ConEd Canvas. Some courses may require additional resources, such as textbooks.
- Please note that continuing education classes are not eligible for student loans.
- If you're seeking financial assistance for these courses, please explore the scholarship, bursaries and funding opportunities specifically designated for continuing education students.
- Approximate cost of the program: $1,935 CAD.
- Flexible payment options: register and pay for all courses at once or pay course-by-course as you go.
- Courses are GST-exempt.
- Some courses may require additional resources, such as textbooks.
- International Students are welcome to enroll and pay the same course fees as local students.
- Proficiency in English and a stable internet connection are needed to participate and succeed in our courses.
- Please note that non-credit programming does not qualify for a study permit, therefore, this program cannot be used for immigration to Canada. For more information, please contact University of Alberta International Student Services.