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Bootcamps are short, intensive training programs that help students develop practical skills to pursue entry-level jobs. A social media management bootcamp prepares enrollees to apply for social media manager jobs. Students receive a condensed education in social media platforms, digital marketing strategies, content creation, and analytics.
As organizations increasingly use social media as part of their day-to-day strategic marketing plans, demand for skilled social media managers continues to rise.
Start your search for the right social media management bootcamp here. We explain what to expect from a typical program, including the skills you will learn and the typical cost. This guide also covers career opportunities and salaries for graduates, along with comparing social media management bootcamps with other computer science education options.
What Is a Social Media Management Bootcamp?
A social media management bootcamp provides short-term, intensive training and education that prepares participants to apply for jobs in social media management. General bootcamps usually focus on coding and other basic tech skills.
Social media management bootcamps explore digital and social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), audience engagement, and content creation. Students learn to use popular social media management tools, launch strategic campaigns, and understand analytics.
Bootcamp lengths vary, but a 2017 survey found the average full-time program lasts about 13 weeks. Independent providers and university-affiliated programs offer social media management bootcamps online and on campus through full-time and part-time enrollment.
Bootcamps usually take significantly less time than associate and bachelor's degrees. In some cases, bootcamps can cost less than a traditional college program. These programs also have less stringent admission requirements than colleges. Bootcamps emphasize skills development and career preparation, while college programs take a broader and more general approach to education.
Skills Learned in Social Media Management Bootcamps
Social media management bootcamps can cover a wide set of abilities. Students learn to improve their communication skills and hone their creativity. They also receive training on managing audience interactions on social media, using analytics to improve marketing efforts, and creating social media content calendars.
Below, we discuss some of the skills that students may learn in social media management bootcamps.
- Digital Marketing: Social media management bootcamps typically focus on foundational digital marketing skills. This includes a working knowledge of online marketing strategies, including for email, social media, and search engines. Students learn to hone marketing campaigns and target different audiences.
- Search Engine Optimization: Social media managers use SEO efforts to increase the number and quality of unpaid users coming to specific websites. Social media bootcamps cover SEO best practices for keywords and ways to improve user experience design.
- Content Creation: Enrollees learn the ins and outs of creating content for various social media platforms, including tailoring content to specific platforms. Bootcamp participants get practice with copywriting, video creation, photography, and creating GIFs for social media.
- Using Social Media Platforms: Social media management bootcamps help students gain basic skills to drive their organizations' goals with the most popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
What Will a Social Media Management Bootcamp Cost?
The cost of a social media management bootcamp varies by program length, provider, and format. Although they may cost less than traditional college degrees, bootcamps are still a significant financial investment for many students. A 2017 bootcamp survey reported that typical costs for coding bootcamps range from about $7,500-$13,950.
Consider the overall cost of a bootcamp, not just the tuition. Other considerations include materials or software needed for the bootcamp, application fees, and travel. Options for paying for a social media management bootcamp may include discounted upfront payments, installment plans, and private loans.
Some bootcamps provide job guarantees that promise students their money back if they do not find jobs in a certain amount of time after finishing the program. Others offer income share agreements, which require no money upfront and allow students to begin paying back tuition once they get a job.
- Get more details about bootcamp costs
- Learn how to pay for a coding bootcamp
- Explore financial aid and scholarship options
- How do income-share agreements work?
What Jobs Can I Get After a Social Media Management Bootcamp?
Social media management bootcamps can prepare participants to apply for social media and digital marketing roles. Major employing industries include advertising and public relations, information, and management. Average salaries for social media professionals start at around $53,000 for social media managers and increase to about $79,000 for social media directors.
Below, we describe four careers someone can pursue after completing a social media management bootcamp.
Social Media Manager
A social media manager oversees all tasks related to an organization's social media efforts. Typical job tasks include managing social media pages and profiles, creating social media content, and tracking analytics. A social media management bootcamp can help develop digital and social media marketing, SEO, and communication skills.
Average Annual Salary: $53,060
Social Media Strategist
Social media strategists develop effective marketing strategies to accomplish goals. Tasks may include working with social media influencers, creating campaigns to reach new customers, writing reports, and making internal presentations. A social media management bootcamp covers the knowledge and skills a social media strategist needs to succeed.
Average Annual Salary: $55,590
Digital Marketing Manager
These professionals develop digital marketing plans that contribute to their company's goals. They need a strong understanding of e-commerce, SEO, and online brands. Most employers require a bachelor's degree for this position. A social media management bootcamp can help you develop an area of specialization within digital marketing that can differentiate you from other digital marketing managers.
Average Annual Salary: $69,820
Social Media Director
Professionals in this advanced role hold many of the same responsibilities as social media managers. They may work with other managers in sales, marketing, and branding to develop an overall strategy for using social media to accomplish company goals. Typical duties include monitoring customer interactions on social media, using analytics to create social media strategy, and developing social media campaigns.
Average Annual Salary: $79,060
Other Computer Science Education Options
Individuals can pursue many other pathways for education in computer science. Some of these pathways can replace or build upon skills students would learn in a social media management bootcamp. Completing these learning options can increase hiring opportunities for graduates.
Associate Degree in Computer Science
This two-year degree may suit individuals looking to explore computer science without committing to a bachelor's program. Students gain an introductory understanding of computer science and basic information technology skills.
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
A bachelor's degree in computer science prepares learners to pursue many entry-level jobs. Students should consider a bachelor's if they seek a broad understanding of the theory of computing and want to open the door to various technical computer science jobs.
Master's Degree in Computer Science
Consider a master's in computer science to unlock more career advancement opportunities at the management level. A master's can make you a more competitive job candidate and help you earn a higher salary.
Ph.D. in Computer Science
A Ph.D. in computer science can make sense for someone who wants to study the theoretical computing-related issues of social media management. This degree prepares graduates for university teaching and research jobs.
Explore Other Coding Bootcamps
Students can consider coding bootcamps focused on other topics, as well. Completing a different bootcamp can help you develop different technical skills to pursue other job opportunities.
Best Bootcamps for Social Media Management
This list includes social media management bootcamps currently accepting students. It is an alphabetical list, not a ranking. All of the bootcamps listed can help prepare participants for tech careers in the United States. These intensive programs are not casual, informational courses. Explore some of the best social media management bootcamps below.
Created in 2012, BrainStation offers digital skills training with courses in marketing, data, design, and development. More than 500 industry experts teach with BrainStation.
Digital Marketing Bootcamp
BrainStation's live online digital marketing bootcamp prepares full-time and part-time students to pursue digital marketing careers. The curriculum covers branding, content marketing, social media marketing, and search marketing. Participants develop skills in search engine optimization, social media strategy, paid social advertising, and social media content calendars.
The bootcamp's Demo Day invites students to connect with hundreds of hiring partners. Students get a discount for paying tuition upfront or can pay in monthly installments over two years.
- Cost: $16,500 upfront or $727/month for 24 months
- Format: Online or on campus; full time or part time
Other Courses Offered by BrainStation
Data Analytics Data Science Python Cybersecurity UX Design UI Design Web Development Product Management Product Leadership Search Engine Marketing Design Thinking
BrainStation's Job Placement Assistance
BrainStation reports a 90% hiring rate for students within 180 days of graduation. The school maintains hiring relationships with 6,500 companies around the world.
General Assembly offers full-time immersive, flex immersive, and part-time tech bootcamps. Students can also access workshops and on-demand learning.
Digital Marketing Course
Students looking for social media management bootcamps should consider General Assembly's digital marketing course. This beginner-friendly, part-time program is available online or on campus. General Assembly sets no admission prerequisites and welcomes full-time working professionals. Financing options for the bootcamp include installment plans, loans, and scholarships.
In the curriculum's final project, participants create a cross-channel marketing campaign to address a real-world marketing problem. Graduates receive a certificate of completion.
- Cost: $3,950 upfront
- Format: Online or on campus; part time or accelerated
- Length: 10 weeks (evenings) or 1 week (accelerated)
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by General Assembly
Data Analytics Data Science Software Engineering User Experience Design Front-End Web Development JavaScript Development Product Management Python Programming React Development Visual Design
General Assembly's Job Placement Assistance
General Assembly graduates can use the school's extensive alumni network to find potential jobs. Alumni get access to workshops and networking events.
Founded in 1789, Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown is the oldest Jesuit Catholic university in the United States. The university offers traditional degrees and professional bootcamps.
Digital Marketing Strategy Bootcamp
Georgetown's School of Continuing Studies offers a live, online social media management bootcamp. The curriculum focuses on applied marketing analytics, the four Ps of digital marketing, and multi-channel marketing in digital environments. Designed for working professionals, the part-time bootcamp takes 12 weeks to complete. Classes meet on Friday evenings and Saturdays.
Students learn to create multi-channel marketing plans and develop customer relationships. They receive one-on-one career coaching. At the end of the course, participants earn a certificate in digital marketing strategy.
- Cost: $4,995
- Format: Online; part time
- Length: 12 weeks
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Georgetown University
Business Essentials for Successful Managers Data Analytics Finance for Non-Financial Managers
Georgetown University's Job Placement Assistance
Students enjoy access to career services like career coaching, employer information sessions, alumni panels, and professional development workshops.
Noble Desktop has offered project-based coding and design classes since 1990. The bootcamp is licensed by the New York State Education Department.
Digital Marketing Certificate
Noble Desktop's social media management bootcamp results in a digital marketing certificate. The program includes 126 hours of project-based training and four one-on-one mentoring sessions. Learners can take the bootcamp live online or face to face in New York with the option to retake the class for free within one year.
Program courses include digital marketing strategy, Google analytics, social media content marketing, and streaming for social media. Students can pay tuition upfront or in installments. They can also choose 12-month financing.
- Cost: $3,995
- Format: Online or on campus in New York
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Noble Desktop
Front-End Web Development Back-End Web Development Data Science FinTech Data Analytics Graphic Design Web Design Motion Graphics Video Editing UX and UI Design Finance Project Management Tableau Marketing
Noble Desktop's Job Placement Assistance
Noble Desktop provides four one-on-one mentoring sessions that students can use for career support. Sessions may include resume help and interview prep.
Established in 2012, Thinkful provides online technical training and career support. Headquartered in New York City, the bootcamp employs 600 people.
Digital Marketing Bootcamp
Thinkful's online social media management bootcamp develops skills in search engine optimization, email marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing. The three-month program prepares students to apply for jobs like social media manager, content strategist, and digital marketer. It includes live video mentor sessions.
The curriculum explores topics like customer insights, branding, social media marketing, and analytics. The part-time, self-paced program ends with a capstone, one-one-one interview preparation, and portfolio-building. Tuition options include upfront, month-to-month, or deferred payment.
- Cost: $4,900 upfront
- Format: $4,900 upfront
- Length: 3 months
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Thinkful
Software Engineering Data Science Data Analytics UX/UI Design Technical Project Management
Thinkful's Job Placement Assistance
Thinkful offers personalized career coaching including unlimited interview practices, resume-writing help, and industry and salary information.
Bootcamps offered in partnership with Trilogy Education Services
Trilogy Education Services partners with global universities and tech companies to offer digital skills training. Its offerings include courses relevant for students interested in social media management bootcamps.
- Arizona State University
- Columbia University
- The George Washington University
- Georgia Tech
- Michigan State
- Rice University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Davis
- University of California, Irvine
- University of Central Florida
- University of Denver
- University of Kansas
- University of Minnesota
- University of Wisconsin
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- The University of Texas at Austin
- University of Miami
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Vanderbilt University
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Media Management
Will a social media management bootcamp get me a job?
A social media management bootcamp can prepare participants for jobs like social media manager, social media specialist, and digital marketer. Additional education or experience may be necessary for some positions.
How much does a social media management bootcamp cost?
The price of a social media management bootcamp varies by provider, program length, and format. The typical cost of bootcamp was $7,500-$13,950, according to a 2017 bootcamp survey.
What qualifications do I need for social media management?
Common requirements for social media management jobs include experience with various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Other important skills include content creation, data analytics, audience engagement, and digital marketing.
Do social media managers need a degree?
Social media manager degree requirements vary by position and employer. Many employers prefer applicants with bachelor's degrees, but a growing number of companies welcome candidates who take alternative educational paths like social media management bootcamps.
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