As employers move into digital age, K-State offers new digital certificate

MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - As employers slowly migrate to a more digital setting, Kansas State University will offer a new digital engagement certificate to help fill the gaps.

Kansas State University says on Tuesday, Jan. 17, that its A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication will launch a new online certification in digital engagement for students, professionals and job seekers in the fall of 2023.

K-State indicated that those who pursue the online digital engagement certificate will learn how to develop strategies for digital marketing, digital branding, social media and content marketing. They will also manage digital assets, create and manage compelling content across digital platforms, establish an effective digital brand presence and connect with online customers and communities.

The university noted that the certificate can be earned separately or as part of its new online bachelor’s degree in digital innovation in media.

Alan Boyer, K-State professor of practice and assistant director for digital innovation in media in the School of Media and Communication, announced that the program is part of a conference panel discussion, “Digital Media Workforce Training and Availability,” which will be hosted by the Kansas City Institute for Media, Animation and Graphic Innovation in Education and KC Digital Drive.

K-State said the program includes a 12-hour curriculum of 8-week courses which include Innovations in Media and Communication, Writing in a Digital Economy, Social Media Management and Strategy and Digital Brand Strategy. Its first cohort will be certified in spring 2024.

The University indicated that students in the certificate program also complete a proprietary certification assessment and earn additional industry-recognized certificates from Google and Hubspot. It said enrollment does not require a degree or experience and can be completed in four to six months of part-time study.

“The online digital engagement certificate is an affordable and accessible option that may allow job seekers and workers to add skills remotely, enter the workforce quickly, transition to a new career or choose a higher education option in the future,” Boyer said. “The program can also be deployed to train groups participating in community workforce development initiatives or corporate training programs.”

According to the Mid-America Regional Council and Zippia, Kansas and regional employers will need to hire more than 40,000 graduates within the next decade with a range of digital skills for the jobs of today and the jobs that will be created in the future.

Across the nation, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics has projected that 1.7 million digital media-related jobs will need to be filled by 2030. In addition, the bureau reports that entry-level salaries for digitally skilled professionals will range from nearly $40,000 to more than $111,000.

“The new career online digital engagement certificate program is stackable, making it ideal for anyone who may want to earn the Bachelor of Science in digital innovation in media,” said Greg Paul, director of the School of Media and Communication. “Students can earn the certificate now and later choose to enter our new digital innovation degree. It’s a win-win.”

For more information about the program, click HERE.