UF’s College of Journalism and Communications is one of the first schools to debut a new master’s program focused on social media.
Spiro Kiousis, director of distance education at the journalism school, wrote in an email that factors such as industry demands, student desires for the subject and UF’s strengths in digital communication and research went into the decision to start the program.
The online program takes as little as 18 months to complete. It is aimed at working professionals, so that they can take what they learn and apply it to their current job.
Recruitment for the inaugural class began earlier this month, Kiousis said.
Applicants should have two years of relevant professional communications experience, a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and three letters of recommendation, among other requirements.
Classes start this summer and last 12 weeks.
Students can take up to three classes at a time, according to a program brochure.
Students in the program can choose to graduate with a certificate or master’s degree in social media.
Steve Johnson, who teaches social media reporting, said journalists could use social media to create content, or they could aggregate information about their audience.
Although the program is designed for professionals, Johnson said recent graduates could also benefit from the classes.
“Social media is nothing new,” he said. “Technology is the new part.”
