Social Media Marketing Strategy

Course Available
1 Unit
Online Self-Paced

Course Description

Build a Well-conceived Social Media Marketing Plan for Optimal Results - New for Fall 2025

In today's digital economy, social media is more than a communication tool - it's a strategic platform for building brands, driving engagement, and delivering measurable results. This self-paced, independent study course equips professionals, entrepreneurs, and aspiring marketers with the skills needed to create and implement impactful social media strategies.

Through a series of scaffolded assignments, you'll develop a comprehensive Social Media Marketing Plan & Strategy for a real or personally relevant brand. You'll learn to conduct social media audits, craft platform-specific content strategies, develop campaign objectives, build editorial calendars, allocate budgets, and evaluate performance through KPIs and ROI.

Ideal for individuals seeking to upskill, pivot careers, or enhance their freelance or consulting work, this course culminates in a portfolio-ready final project that demonstrates your ability to plan, execute, and measure social media campaigns with confidence and creativity.

Course Details

Number of Units: 1.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours.

Who Should Attend: This continuing education course is intended for professionals seeking to expand digital marketing skills, including professionals who are responsible for creating and executing social media marketing strategies for business organizations. This would include social media managers, digital marketing specialists, content strategists, brand managers, and small business owners.

Course Materials: All materials shared within your online course.

Technical Requirements

Course Options

Course Date Units Price
MKT-X816 – 002 Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled 1 $379

Social Media Marketing Strategy

Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled
1
$379
Online Self-Paced
Judy Parker

Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the course Welcome Letter, which includes directions on how to access the New Student Orientation and your online course.

What You Will Learn

  • Conduct brand and competitor analyses to identify marketing challenges, strategic opportunities, and potential risks - ncluding legal, ethical, and AI-related factors.
  • Develop a strategic social media marketing plan using SMART objectives, audience personas, value propositions, and platform-specific messaging strategies.
  • Design content strategies tailored to each platform's technical features and audience preferences, incorporating brand voice, tone, and visual consistency.
  • Plan campaign execution through timelines, editorial calendars, and budget allocation that reflect real-world tools and project management practices.
  • Establish performance evaluation plans using KPIs, success metrics, and monitoring strategies to assess the effectiveness of social media efforts.
  • Produce a professional, portfolio-ready Social Media Marketing Plan & Strategy that demonstrates strategic thinking, creativity, and digital marketing competency.

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Why USD?

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

Informative Stats and Facts

600+

High-quality, career-building courses to choose from

50+

In-depth, innovative, and relevant topics

25+

Career advancing certificates

Learning Method Information

Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational.

Online Self-Paced

Our online self-paced courses are designed to provide flexibility and autonomy for learners. Unlike traditional classroom methods, which require attendance at scheduled times, self-paced courses allow you to progress through the material at your own speed within a six-month period from the time of enrollment.  Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.

Key differences from traditional classroom methods:

  • No scheduled class times or required attendance.
  • No assigned due dates for assignments; you set your own schedule.
  • Asynchronous learning, meaning you can work on assignments anytime.
  • No discussion forums and no interaction with others enrolled in the course.
  • No scheduled class times or required attendance.

Structure of Online Self-Paced Courses:

The content is divided into learning modules, each covering one or more topics. Within each module, you can expect the following components:

  • Module Introduction: Outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
  • Required Readings and Presentations: Includes textbooks, articles, journals, websites, and audio/video presentations.
  • Assignments: May include written assignments, quizzes, blogs, and other activities based on the readings and presentations.
  • Module Conclusion: Reviews the topics covered and what you should have learned.

Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that synthesizes all the topics covered throughout the course. The design of the learning modules follows a consistent rhythm to help you manage your time effectively. Grades will be available within two weeks of final submission, transcripts will be automatically mailed out following grades being posted and approved. Please allow 3-4 weeks from when final grades are posted to receive a transcript.