Become a Social Media Specialist in 4 Months

Study online, earn up to $5000 in scholarships, and secure your future with an 83% job placement rate.

Choose from: Co-Op Diploma or Diploma Program

Our Social Media Diploma teaches you how to create engaging content for all social media platforms. You’ll learn to communicate with different audiences, build content strategies, and get hands-on experience with industry tools for a thriving career in digital marketing.

Our Program Options

Foundation Diploma 

  • A focused 4 month academic program to build essential social media skills.  

Co-Op Diploma 

  • A 4 month program followed by 4 months of work experience. International students gain the opportunity to work full-time in a related field, supported by our career services team to help find potential opportunities.

Duration

Foundation Diploma

● 4 months of academic coursework.
● 20 hours per week: 16 hours of lecture + 4 hours of lab sessions

Co-Op Diploma

● 4 months of coursework + 4 months of full-time work experience.
● 20 hours per week: 16 hours of lectures + 4 hours of lab session.

*Labs are sessions with specific problems or exercises to practice your learnings. During the sessions, our instructors will be available to guide you.

Courses

  • Foundations of Social Media & Influencer Marketing 

Learn about key concepts and strategies to create effective social media content, understanding how these two types of marketing play a role in today’s digital landscape. 

 

  • Communication Strategies 

Develop your ability to communicate with different audiences across various platforms, tailoring your messaging and strategy to achieve maximum engagement. 

 

  • Content Creation 

Master the skills needed to create compelling content for social media. Explore formats like video, text, and graphics, and learn how to use industry-standard tools. 

 

  • Thinking Like an Influencer 

Understand the mindset and strategies of influencers, learning how to build an authentic personal brand and monetize social media content effectively. 

 

  • Final Project 

Put everything you’ve learned into practice by working on a comprehensive social media project, creating and implementing strategies to meet specific goals. 

 

  • Work Experience (Co-Op Diploma option only)
    Engage in a 4-month full-time work placement where you’ll gain hands-on experience in a social media role, from content creation to influencer marketing

  • Understand the difference between social media and social network
  • Understand the different types of content formats and the best option for each topic
  • Understand the role of content creation and influencer marketing in today’s marketing environment
  • Understand the Types of influencer campaign
  • Learn how to define campaign goals

  • Understand how to communicate with different audiences
  • Understand the different communication strategies for different content formats
  • Learn the best tone of voice to use based on the audience they want to reach
  • Learn how to use non-verbal communication cues to communicate their brand goals

  • Understand design fundamentals.
  • Understand the basic techniques to create quality videos
  • Learn different techniques to create good content using photos
  • Develop and Implement content in different formats

  • Develop a personal branding
  • Understand the characteristics of content creation on different platforms
  • Understand how Influencer measure their success
  • Learn different partnership opportunities for influencers
  • Understand how to monetize content and work with Influencers
Program Content Image 2

Admission

Enrollment Requirements:

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent; alternatively, they must be at least 19 years old

English Proficiency Requirements:

  • TOEFL iBT: 79+
  • PTE: 56+
  • DUOLINGO: 120+
  • IELTS – 6.5+


Technological Requirements
 

As a student, you need a personal computer or laptop for both online and in-person classes. 

For remote classes, ensure you have reliable internet access; most home internet and Wi-Fi services should work fine. For both online and in-person classes, make sure to get comfortable using your computer before classes start. 

For certain courses, you’ll need specialized software. Your instructor will guide you on how to obtain it on the first day of class. 

For more information, please access our Bring Your Own Device guide page. 

 

International Admission Documents

  • Online application form
  • A copy of your passport
  • High school diploma for candidates under 19 years old
  • Valid documentation for IELTS/TOEFL/TOEIC results (if applicable)

 

Domestic Admission Documents

    • Online application form, completed with a $150 payment
    • Admissions interview (in-person, online, or by phone)
    • A completed and signed enrollment agreement
    • Proof of secondary school graduation or equivalent
    • A copy of government-issued identification

** Students are required to have their own personal computer

 

Success stories

Check what our student's squad say about us

Schedule

CLASS SCHEDULEMorning: 8:30am - 12:30pm
START DATES
WinterFeb 3rd, 2025
SpringJune 2nd, 2025
FallSept 29th, 2025

FAQ

There are no prerequisites for enrolling in a Social Media Content Developer program. However, having a fundamental understanding of the following abilities is valuable before joining this course.

  • High School Diploma or equivalent
    • Most entry-level or undergraduate cybersecurity programs require a high school diploma or equivalent.

With a Social Media Content Developer Diploma from Cornerstone International Community College of Canada (CICCC), graduates can explore various entry-level to mid-level job roles in Social Media and Digital Marketing. Here’s a list of potential job opportunities:

1. CONTENT CREATOR

a. Role: Create compelling content for various digital platforms, including all social media platforms.

b. Skills: Content Creation, research and analysis, SEO, AI Tools, understanding of all social media platforms, and content strategy.

2. INFLUENCER MARKETING

a. Role: Collaborate with brands to showcase products or services, often including personal reviews, demonstrations, or recommendations to authentically connect the brand with their audience.

b. Skills: Content Creation, research and analysis, photo and video editing, and AI Tools.

3. BRAND AMBASSADOR

a. Role: Engage with the customers of brands, participate in events and workshops, sales support, and brand representation.

b. Skills: High-Quality speaking skills, relationship building, understanding of all social media platforms, and brand strategy.

4. SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANT

a. Role: manages a company’s or client’s social media presence. They create and share content, respond to comments, and analyze performance to help a business grow.

b. Skills: Social Media strategy, strong writing and verbal communication, detail-oriented, time management, analytical and research.

5. COMMUNITY MANAGER

a. Role: Develop and post engaging content for Instagram (stories, feed posts, reels) and TikTok, maintaining brand consistency. Engage and manage interactions with followers to ensure a positive customer experience.

b. Skills: Social Media strategy, strong writing and verbal communication, detail-oriented, graphic design, analytical and research.

Social media is a valuable tool for various industries, providing a platform for engagement, marketing, customer support, and brand development. Some industries that particularly benefit from using social media include:

1. Retail and E-commerce

    • Why it’s important: Retailers can showcase their products, offer promotions, and engage with customers directly. Social media helps drive online sales, boosts brand recognition, and creates a direct channel for customer feedback.
    • Examples: Fashion brands, electronics stores, online marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy.

2. Hospitality and Travel

    • Why it’s important: Social media allows businesses to share visuals of destinations, services, and experiences. It also provides a platform for customer reviews, recommendations, and destination-specific content, encouraging travelers to book.
    • Examples: Hotels, airlines, tour operators, restaurants, cruise lines, travel agencies.

3. Entertainment and Media

    • Why it’s important: Social media is a key tool for promoting new content, engaging with fans, and fostering community around shows, music, and movies. It’s also great for real-time marketing and spreading viral content.
    • Examples: Film studios, streaming platforms (e.g., Netflix, YouTube), musicians, video game companies, TV networks.

4. Beauty and Fashion

    • Why it’s important: Social media, especially platforms like Instagram and TikTok, is essential for building brand awareness, showcasing new trends, influencer collaborations, and connecting with beauty and fashion enthusiasts.
    • Examples: Makeup brands, fashion designers, haircare brands, accessories brands.

5. Real Estate

    • Why it’s important: Social media offers real estate agents and companies a way to showcase properties, provide virtual tours, and interact directly with potential buyers or renters. It’s also a great tool for marketing and advertising.
    • Examples: Real estate agencies, property developers, mortgage lenders.

6. Health and Fitness

    • Why it’s important: Health, wellness, and fitness brands use social media to build a following, share tips, promote services, and offer motivational content. It’s also used for connecting with clients and providing updates on health trends.
    • Examples: Fitness trainers, health clinics, wellness coaches, dieticians, gym equipment brands.

7. Food and Beverage

    • Why it’s important: Restaurants, bars, cafes, and food brands can attract customers by sharing enticing images, offering promotions, and receiving feedback. Social media also facilitates viral trends (e.g., TikTok recipes).
    • Examples: Restaurants, food trucks, cafes, beverage companies, packaged food brands.

8. Technology and Startups

    • Why it’s important: Social media helps tech companies engage with potential users, build hype around new launches, and establish thought leadership. It’s especially crucial for gaining visibility in competitive sectors.
    • Examples: SaaS companies, tech startups, mobile apps, gadget makers.

9. Education and Online Learning

    • Why it’s important: Educational institutions and online learning platforms use social media to share courses, events, and achievements, as well as to foster community engagement among students and alumni.
    • Examples: Universities, e-learning platforms (e.g., Coursera, Udemy), tutoring services.

10. Finance and Insurance

    • Why it’s important: Financial services and insurance companies use social media to engage customers with tips, financial news, product offers, and customer support. It also helps build trust and transparency with audiences.
    • Examples: Banks, insurance agencies, investment firms, fintech startups.

11. Automotive

    • Why it’s important: The automotive industry uses social media to showcase new models, highlight features, promote sales events, and connect with car enthusiasts. Social media also serves as a space for customer service and reviews.
    • Examples: Car manufacturers, dealerships, car rental services, automotive accessories.

12. Nonprofits and Charities

    • Why it’s important: Social media helps nonprofit organizations raise awareness for causes, share success stories, and engage with supporters. It’s also a crucial tool for fundraising and organizing events.
    • Examples: Charities, environmental organizations, humanitarian groups, advocacy organizations.

13. Law and Legal Services

    • Why it’s important: Law firms use social media to build credibility, share legal insights, engage potential clients, and stay top-of-mind for legal services.
    • Examples: Law firms, personal injury attorneys, legal consultants.

14. Human Resources and Recruitment

    • Why it’s important: HR departments and recruitment agencies use social media to post job openings, engage with potential candidates, and build their employer brand. LinkedIn, in particular, is a key platform for recruiting.
    • Examples: Recruitment agencies, corporate HR teams, talent acquisition specialists.

15. Professional Services

    • Why it’s important: Professionals such as consultants, coaches, and freelancers can use social media to showcase their expertise, build personal brands, and engage with potential clients.
    • Examples: Business consultants, life coaches, financial advisors, marketing agencies.

In the Social Media Content Developer diploma program at Cornerstone International Community College of Canada (CICCC), students are typically introduced to a wide variety of software and tools are used to teach students how to manage, optimize, and analyze social media campaigns effectively. These tools can help with content creation, scheduling, analytics, engagement, and more. Below is a breakdown of the types of software and tools that are commonly used:

1. Social Media Management Tools

These tools allow users to manage multiple social media accounts from one platform, schedule posts, monitor performance, and engage with followers.

  • Hootsuite: Allows users to schedule posts, manage multiple social media accounts, and monitor social media conversations.
  • Buffer: A simpler alternative to Hootsuite for scheduling posts, analyzing performance, and managing multiple accounts.
  • Sprout Social: Offers social media management with added features for social listening, engagement, and in-depth analytics.
  • Later: Primarily used for Instagram scheduling but also supports other platforms like Facebook and Pinterest.
  • Zoho Social: A social media management platform with scheduling, reporting, and collaboration tools.

2. Graphic Design Tools

Social media posts often require visually appealing images, graphics, and videos. These tools help students create professional-looking content, even without advanced design skills.

  • Canva: A beginner-friendly graphic design tool with templates for social media posts, infographics, stories, and more.
  • Adobe Spark: A simplified design tool for creating social media graphics, videos, and web pages.
  • Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator: Advanced tools used for creating high-quality custom images and designs, typically taught in more advanced social media courses.
  • Crello: Similar to Canva, it offers templates and design tools for creating social media visuals.

3. Content Scheduling Tools

These tools help students automate the posting process, allowing them to plan their content calendar ahead of time and maintain consistency.

  • CoSchedule: A content marketing calendar tool that integrates with social media to streamline scheduling.
  • Planoly: Mainly for Instagram, Planoly helps with visual planning and scheduling of posts.
  • Tailwind: Used for scheduling posts on Pinterest and Instagram, focusing on optimizing pinning strategies.

4. Social Media Analytics Tools

Analytics tools are essential for tracking the performance of social media campaigns, understanding engagement, and improving strategies.

  • Google Analytics: Not strictly for social media, but it can be used to track social media traffic to websites and measure conversions.
  • Facebook Insights: Provides detailed analytics for Facebook pages, including engagement, reach, and audience demographics.
  • Twitter Analytics: Offers insights into how tweets are performing, including engagement metrics.
  • Instagram Insights: Built directly into Instagram accounts, it gives users data on follower engagement, post reach, and demographics.
  • Socialbakers: Provides detailed analytics and social media performance tracking across various platforms.
  • Sprinklr: A comprehensive tool that offers social media analytics and reporting, social listening, and audience insights.

5. Social Listening and Monitoring Tools

These tools help track conversations around a brand, product, or industry, which is crucial for brand reputation management and identifying trends.

  • Brandwatch: Offers social listening tools for monitoring brand mentions, sentiment analysis, and competitor benchmarking.
  • Mention: A simpler tool for tracking brand mentions across social media and the web.
  • Talkwalker: Provides social listening and analytics to monitor brand reputation, trends, and competitors.
  • BuzzSumo: Helps track content performance and social shares, ideal for identifying viral trends.

6. Video Editing Tools

Video is increasingly important on social media, and courses often cover how to create engaging video content.

  • Adobe Premiere Pro: A professional video editing tool used to create high-quality videos for platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
  • Final Cut Pro: A video editing software used by Mac users for editing professional-level videos.
  • iMovie: A beginner-friendly video editing tool for Mac users that can be useful for simple social media videos.
  • InShot: A mobile app ideal for editing short videos for platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
  • Filmora: A video editing software that provides an easy-to-use interface and tools for creating professional social media videos.

7. Influencer Marketing Platforms

These platforms are essential when learning how to run influencer marketing campaigns and track influencer performance.

  • Influencity: Helps identify, manage, and track influencers for marketing campaigns.
  • Upfluence: A platform that provides influencer discovery, campaign management, and performance tracking.
  • BuzzSumo: In addition to content tracking, it also helps with influencer identification.

8. Hashtag Research Tools

Hashtags are an important part of social media strategy, and these tools help identify trending and relevant hashtags.

  • Hashtagify: Provides insights into popular and trending hashtags, helping you optimize posts for better reach.
  • RiteTag: Offers real-time hashtag suggestions based on current trends and content.

9. Paid Social Media Advertising Tools

Social media ads are a key aspect of many marketing strategies. Tools for managing paid ads are often used in social media courses.

  • Facebook Ads Manager: Used to create, manage, and analyze Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns.
  • Google Ads: While focused on search, Google Ads also includes display ads that run across various social platforms.
  • LinkedIn Ads: Allows businesses to create targeted ad campaigns for the professional network.

10. Content Curation Tools

Content curation is an important part of managing a social media presence. These tools help gather and share relevant content from other sources.

  • Feedly: A tool for gathering and curating content from blogs, news sites, and more.
  • Pocket: Used for saving articles and content for later sharing on social media.

The salary range for social media professionals in Canada can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, job title, and the size of the company. Here’s a breakdown of average salaries for different roles within the social media field in Canada:

1. Social Media Manager

  • Average Salary: $50,000 to $75,000 CAD per year
  • Entry-level: Around $40,000 to $50,000 CAD
  • Experienced: Can go up to $80,000 to $100,000 CAD or higher, depending on the size of the company and the region.

2. Social Media Coordinator

  • Average Salary: $40,000 to $55,000 CAD per year
  • Entry-level: Around $35,000 to $40,000 CAD
  • Experienced: May earn between $50,000 to $60,000 CAD after a few years in the role.

3. Social Media Specialist

  • Average Salary: $45,000 to $60,000 CAD per year
  • Entry-level: Around $40,000 to $45,000 CAD
  • Experienced: Can reach $60,000 to $70,000 CAD for those with significant experience.

4. Social Media Strategist

  • Average Salary: $60,000 to $85,000 CAD per year
  • Entry-level: Around $50,000 to $60,000 CAD
  • Experienced: Can go up to $90,000 to $100,000 CAD or more for senior strategists with extensive experience.

5. Social Media Influencer Marketing Manager

  • Average Salary: $60,000 to $90,000 CAD per year
  • This is a specialized role that may command higher salaries, especially in larger companies or agencies.

6. Community Manager

  • Average Salary: $50,000 to $70,000 CAD per year
  • Entry-level: Around $45,000 to $50,000 CAD
  • Experienced: Can reach $70,000 to $80,000 CAD

7. Content Creator / Social Media Content Producer

  • Average Salary: $40,000 to $60,000 CAD per year
  • Content creators, depending on the platform and industry, may earn more through partnerships, sponsored content, or freelance work.

Freelance and Contract Work:

  • Freelancers and contract social media professionals typically charge an hourly rate, which can range from $25 to $100 CAD per hour, depending on expertise, the type of service provided, and the market demand.

Key Factors Influencing Salary:

  • Experience: More experienced professionals, particularly those with specialized skills in social media advertising or analytics, can command higher salaries.
  • Industry: Companies in high-demand industries like technology, entertainment, and finance tend to pay more for social media professionals.
  • Company Size: Larger companies or agencies may offer higher salaries and benefits compared to small businesses or startups.

This course prepares students for careers in various industries by providing a blend of practical skills, foundational knowledge, and industry-relevant training. Here’s how the program prepares students to enter diverse industries:

1. Hands-on training with industry tools:

a. Students learn to use key tools and software widely used across industries like finance, healthcare, government, and technology. Familiarity with these tools gives graduates practical skills they can immediately apply in real-world scenarios.

 

2. Structure of a Co-op Program in Social Media:

a. Integrated Work Terms: Co-op programs alternate between academic study and work placements, giving students a chance to work in roles related to the social media field.

b. Duration: The co-op terms can last 6 months, depending on the program structure. Students may complete multiple work terms throughout the course.

c. Academic and Career Support: Schools often provide guidance in resume writing, interview preparation, and job searching, helping students secure positions with relevant organizations.

 

3. Professional Networking Opportunities

a. By working in real organizations, students build connections with industry professionals—peers, mentors, and supervisors—who can provide guidance, job references, and potential job offers post-graduation.

b. Networking during a co-op can be crucial for landing a full-time position after graduation, as students often find employment with the same companies where they completed their co-op placements.

 

4. Resume Building and Career Readiness

a. Completing a co-op program allows students to graduate with relevant work experience, setting them apart from graduates without practical exposure.

b. This experience is particularly valuable in cybersecurity, as employers highly value candidates who can demonstrate experience in handling real-world security challenges.

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