SOCIAL MEDIA PRODUCER DIPLOMA
Program Course Requirements

First Semester (15 credits) 
BUSN 1166  Business Communications, 3 cr
GDES 1146  Video Graphics, 3 cr 
MUSC 2414  Advanced Audio Productions, 3 cr
VPRO 1110  Video Editing Workflow, 3 cr 
VPRO 1114  Camera Operations, 3 cr

Second Semester (16 credits) 
BUSN 2116 Social Media Marketing, 3 cr
GDES 2128 After Effects, 3 cr
VPRO 2106 Social Media Productions, 4 cr
VPRO 2114 Online Content, 3 cr
VPRO 2116 Advanced Field Methods, 3 cr

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT - 31 credits

Click here to download the Social Media Producer Diploma Program Planning Form (PDF)

Career Description: Video production and business marketing are now one field. The ability for organizations to connect with customers has shifted significantly towards online interaction. Traditional advertising - print, radio and television ads - has become obsolete. Nationally, the social media industry is experiencing explosive growth. Organizations are increasingly turning to web-based video conferencing for corporate communications. Video content has become the de facto form of communication in business. According to Minnesota State CAREERwise, the outlook for editors, producers, directors, graphic designers and social media directors is for high growth between now and 2026. Our focused approach to hands-on learning at Central Lakes College ensures graduates are positioned for successful entry into the industry.

Program Information: Producing visual marketing for an online audience is our focus, as that is where the jobs are. The Social Media Producer diploma is designed to prepare students with entry-level skills creating and managing visual content for online marketing. The curriculum emphasizes lab-based learning with short lectures accentuated by hands-on, practical assignments. Interdisciplinary courses include video and audio production, still photography, graphic design, and a thorough mix of business marketing, all with a focus towards social media distribution. Students will learn to create actual content and manage that content to maximize impressions with clients. They will gain the necessary proficiency to employ social media for strategic purposes.

Program Outcomes:
Graduates will be able to:

• Combine the skills of a marketing specialist with that of a videographer to produce visual content for social media marketing and communications; 
• Apply industry-standard skills in camera operation, sound recording, editing, and design for video applications;
• Recognize basic business and marketing concepts;
• Create corporate messaging to increase clarity;
• Identify what constitues 'content' for social media;
• Design social media campaigns;
• Produce timely, relevant and eye-catching visual and audial content for online communications; 
• Create motion graphic designed to enhance visual communication on all platforms; 
• Apply professional lighting techniques for motion pictures; 
• Apply professional audio recording techniques for motion pictures; 
• Encode video files for distribution to social media and digital recording platforms, and 
• Apply safety protocols in video production working environments.

Special Program Requirements:

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
2. College Technical Core GPA Requirement: cumulative GPA of credits attempted and completed towards the technical core of the diploma or degree must be at least 2.0;
3. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.

Advisory Board: Jeremy Doyle – Producer/Sourcewell Chad Koel – Owner, Koel Communications John Murray – National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Nick Weeks – Videographer/photographer, Just For Kix Studios Dan Hegstad – Station Manager, Lakeland Public TV – Brainerd Erik Ravnholdt – Lakeshore Learning Media Director Jane Helmke – Former News Director, KARE 11 TV Rick Jensen – Graphic Design Instructor & teacher at BHS Mitch McAllson – Media specialist, Sourcewell Jeff Kraker – News Editor/journalist at KARE TV Melissa Young – Owner – Hey Man Productions Mitch Anderson – Media specialist, Wired to Fish Ryan Dechaine – Media Director, Wired to Fish Abbi Hehner – Media specialist at Outdoor News Brandon Brown – Editor at Lindner Media Productions Sarah Nelson – Freelance videographer/editor Dan Lindner – Lindner Media Productions Bryan Hammitt – HS Videography teacher @ Bemidji HS Joseph Schulte – HS Videography teacher @ Sartell HS Mark Weimer – HS Videography teacher @ St. Cloud Apollo

Faculty Biography: