Format
4 required courses (60 hours)
Delivery
Online | Learn more
Duration
Complete in 4 months, or up to 3 years
Social media has transformed how businesses and brands communicate, enabling them to connect directly with customers, build brand loyalty, and foster online communities to achieve marketing goals.
The Social Media Extension Certificate provides the skills and knowledge needed to become an active and effective social media professional. Whether you're an entrepreneur growing your online presence or responsible for managing social media accounts, you'll learn how to create meaningful conversations with your target audience and support your business objectives.
This program covers key areas such as social media principles, branding basics, and strategies for building online communities. You will learn to develop practical social media plans, including setting objectives, creating target market profiles, and using engagement maps and content development frameworks. Explore case studies and gain experience with tools like Google Analytics to analyze data and measure your digital marketing efforts. Upon completing the program, you will be equipped to create targeted, cost-effective social media content and demonstrate its impact across a range of platforms.
Highlights and benefits
Earn a recognized credential | Enhance your career prospects
Become career-ready | Prepare for a career as a social media strategist, coordinator or manager
Real-world knowledge | Learn from experienced industry professionals
Online delivery | Enjoy the flexibility of online learning and complete this program from anywhere
Information session
Are you interested in learning more about the social media and digital marketing programs offered at Mount Royal University? RSVP to attend this free virtual information session on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. MST..
This information session will cover the Social Media Extension Certificate and the Digital Marketing Extension Certificate.
Register nowInterested in adding to your digital communication and marketing skills?
Social media professionals can benefit from broader digital media and marketing knowledge. Consider our Digital Marketing Extension Certificate or our Marketing and Communications Extension Certificate to gain the skills, tools and techniques to market effectively.
View courses
Important Notice:
Effective January 1, 2025, the Social Media for Business Certificate of Completion will be suspended. Current students will have the opportunity to complete the required courses and apply them towards the new Social Media Extension Certificate. Also, the names of several courses in this program have changed:
XCSP 10017 Introduction to Social Media (formerly Foundations of Social Media)
XCSP 10019 Building an Online Community (formerly Online Community Engagement)
XCSP 10056 Marketing Analytics (formerly Digital Marketing Measurement)
These changes do not affect course content or graduation requirements. If you have any questions, please contact us at conted@mtroyal.ca.
Course schedule
Course schedule by semester
| Fall (Sept. - Dec.) |
Winter (Jan. - April) |
Spring/Summer (May - Aug.) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Social Media | ON | ON | ON |
| Social Media Strategy | ON | ON | ON |
| Building an Online Community | ON | ON | ON |
| Marketing Analytics | ON | ON | ON |
Legend
BL: Blended (Online & Classroom)
CL: Classroom
FT: Fast Track
ON: Online
IDS: Independent Study
P: Practicum
This schedule is subject to change. Courses start on various dates within each semester. Fall schedule and registration is available in June; Winter schedule and registration is available in November; and Spring/Summer schedule and registration is available in March.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this program intended for?
This program is designed for individuals who are actively involved in, or looking to specialize in, social media management and strategy. It's ideal for, aspiring social media professionals seeking to build foundational skills in content creation, platform strategy, and audience engagement, marketing team members who want to deepen their expertise in social media as a core part of integrated marketing efforts, entrepreneurs and small business owners who manage their own social channels and want to grow their online presence more effectively, freelancers and consultants offering social media services to clients, and communications professionals looking to add targeted social media strategy and analytics to their toolkit.
What type of career options are available if I complete this certificate?
Potential roles include social media coordinator, social media strategist, content creator, digital engagement strategist, influencer marketing coordinator and social media analyst.
Note: additional education and training may be required for some positions.
Are there any opportunities for digital badges in this program?
Yes, students who complete the XCSP 10056 Marketing Analytics course are eligible to receive a digital badge.
Do I have to take the courses in order?
No, each course is designed to stand alone, but we recommend starting with XCSP 10017 Introduction to Social Media.
How will I be graded in each course?
Each course has several graded assignments. These assignments vary per course; however, they are all designed to assess the outcomes of each course. These assessments include, but are not limited to, discussion board posts, short answers and quizzes.
How many hours am I expected to work on each course?
You should plan to access your D2L course site at least 3 times per week. Depending on the course, you can expect to spend approximately 6 hours per week reading material, completing learning activities or assignments, and attending Google Meet sessions.
Is attendance required for Google Meet sessions?
No, these sessions are not mandatory, but they are recommended. Attending Google Meet sessions allows you to get to know your instructor and classmates and provides you with the opportunity to ask questions about content, assignments or due dates.
How many courses can I take at a time?
You can take as many courses as your schedule will allow. There are no restrictions on the number of courses you can take at one time.
Will I get a job once I'm done the certificate?
While having a professional certificate will certainly put you in a favourable position when looking for employment, there are many factors to consider for each individual that it would be impossible to pre-determine your employment success. Our graduate statistics have shown that a significant percentage of past students have experienced a measurable increase in salary, responsibility, and/or activity after completing our programs.
Will Mount Royal help me locate career opportunities?
No, Mount Royal does not have a system in place to assist students with career opportunities upon completion of our certificate. However, there are periodic job postings advertised on our website.
Additional information
Refer to CE Student Information for more information.
Program questions?