Interactive and Virtual Digital Communication Certificate

Program Overview

Program Type

Graduate Academic Certificate (G.A.C.)

Format

On Campus Online Hybrid

Estimated Time to Complete

2-3 semesters

Credit Hours

18

Program Description

The graduate academic certificate in interactive and virtual digital communication combines the best of two nationally accredited programs to train students in the most up-to-date written, visual and technical competencies required to successfully communicate in today's online and information world.

Why Earn an Interactive and Virtual Digital Communication Certificate?

During this period of dynamic change in traditional print and broadcast media, it is absolutely essential that anyone interested in pursuing a career in media have a fundamental grasp of how the Internet, social media and technology are changing the way we gather, report, write, distribute news and information.

Marketable Skills

• Collect, analyze, and interpret information
• Stakeholder and audience segmentation/analysis
• In-depth knowledge of media operations
• Management of online content
• Strategic communication campaign effectiveness analysis

Program Highlights

This program will help students understand how to best use technology and digital media to better reach new and existing readers, viewers, consumers and customers.

Career Outlook

This certificate can help students who wish to pursue careers in:

• Corporate communications at nonprofits and media companies
• Interactive media manager at a newspaper, broadcast, online media outlet or a public relations or advertising agency
• Media analyst: Helping a company decide which media to use to best communicate with staff, consumers and/or industry colleagues
• Interactive Marketing Manager
• Media strategist for a PR or advertising agency
• New Media Strategist
• Social Marketing Program Manager
• Manager, social media and digital marketing
• Digital community manager
• Manager/Director Online Services
• Interactivity Producer
• Digital Content Manager/Producer/Director

Program Courses

• Information Behavior (3 hrs)
• Electronic Databases and Information Services (3 hrs)
• Advanced Study in Advertising and Public Relations for Social Good (3 hrs)
• New Technologies of Instruction (3 hrs)
• Computer Graphics for Mediated Communications (3 hrs)
• Narrative Journalism (3 hrs)

Program Outline

It combines elements from two nationally accredited programs to equip students with the latest written, visual, and technical skills needed for successful communication in today's digital landscape. The program emphasizes understanding how the internet, social media, and technology are transforming news gathering, reporting, writing, and distribution. It also highlights the importance of reaching traditional and emerging audiences in innovative ways, particularly relevant for public relations and advertising professionals.

Outline:

Program Structure:

• This 18-hour interdisciplinary certificate program is offered by the College of Information.
• It can be completed in 2-3 semesters.
It includes studying available databases in various fields, conducting online searches, client interviews, developing, promoting, and evaluating online services, and exploring current trends. Supervised practical experience is also included.
• Advanced Study in Advertising and Public Relations for Social Good (3 hrs): This course examines strategies used by advertising, public relations, and marketing professionals to change consumer behavior for social marketing or promoting prosocial behavior.
Students analyze peer-reviewed literature and propose a research study based on their review of relevant existing research.
• New Technologies of Instruction (3 hrs): This course covers the selection, utilization, and evaluation of media technology and techniques used in educational and industrial instructional programs.
It includes hands-on digital audio and visual processes. It covers principles of graphics communication, concepts in computer graphics, graphics input systems, graphics manipulation software, and graphics output systems.
• Narrative Journalism (3 hrs): This course explores the art of narrative journalism, studying short- and long-form narratives for newspapers, magazines, and web-based publications.

Teaching:

• The Mayborn faculty brings over 400 years of combined experience in real-world settings to the classroom, informing and inspiring over 1,000 students.
• Mayborn alumni work at leading media and communications companies.

Careers:

This certificate can help students pursue careers in:

• Corporate communications at nonprofits and media companies
• Interactive media manager at a newspaper, broadcast, online media outlet, or a public relations or advertising agency
• Media analyst: Helping a company decide which media to use to best communicate with staff, consumers, and/or industry colleagues
• Interactive Marketing Manager
• Media strategist for a PR or advertising agency
• New Media Strategist
• Social Marketing Program Manager
• Manager, social media and digital marketing
• Digital community manager
• Manager/Director Online Services
• Interactivity Producer
• Current professionals can update their knowledge and skills related to digital media to take on a more active role in their companies.