New Communication Major Offered at Scranton

The University will offer a new major in social media strategies beginning in the fall 2018 semester.
The University of Scranton will offer a new major and minor in social media strategies beginning in the fall of 2018.
The University of Scranton will offer a new major and minor in social media strategies beginning in the fall of 2018.

Beginning in the fall 2018 semester, The University of Scranton will offer a new major and minor in social media strategies.

“The new major addresses opportunities presented in the communication field of today’s market. Social media is one of the fastest growing industries,” said Howard Fisher, Ph.D., assistant professor and chair of the Department of Communication at the University, who noted employment in media and communication occupations is projected to grow six percent between 2016 and 2026. “As of 2016, there were more than 2.3 billion active social media users worldwide, and 91 percent of all retail brands use two or more social media platforms. Almost one million new users are added to social media each day.”

Students pursing a major in social media strategies will learn to use social media marketing strategies effectively to help organizations achieve their communications, marketing and branding goals. They will learn to conceptualize, manage and create written and digital social media content, as well as how to integrate social media campaigns across platforms and with strategic marketing communication campaigns. Students will also learn to use analytics, platform-dependent language, video production and editing to develop effective communications to targeted audiences. 

Students graduating with this major can work as social media marketing strategists, search engine optimization (SEO) specialists, online community managers or social media copywriters, among other positions. The average salary of a social media manager is $77,000, according to Dr. Fisher.

In addition, Dr. Fisher said the curriculum is structured to provide theory and strategy with hands-on practical experience in order for students to develop effective writing and critical thinking skills. He said this is true for all majors offered through the Communication Department. He noted that in recent years, 100 percent of the University’s recent communication graduates have had one internship, with more than 50 percent of graduates having had two internships.

For additional information, contact Dr. Fisher at howard.fisher@scranton.edu or by calling 570-941-6333.
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