How Long Do Social Media Marketing Courses Take?

Class duration is a significant consideration when deciding which type of social media marketing class to enroll in. The length of social media marketing classes can vary greatly depending on the format and depth of the program. Coursework is offered in person and online and is available for those just getting started working with social media marketing and more seasoned Marketers interested in acquiring intermediate or advanced-level training for their current profession. Each form of coursework has unique incentives and limitations, so aspiring students need to know the differences between types of schools and training options.

Length of Classes

Like other skills, the time involved in learning social media marketing depends on your ultimate learning goals and the time you can invest in training and practice. Coursework ranges from short, one-day classes to more extended programs that span weeks or months. The depth of instruction will influence the course length, which means that shorter courses tend to be more focused in scope, and longer classes are able to cover more ground in social media marketing training and even offer professional development incentives.

Short Online Courses 

A short social media marketing online course can last from a few hours to a few days and focus on specific social media platforms or basic marketing principles. These classes won't turn you into a social media marketing expert, but they can provide a solid foundation and equip you with some basic skills. They typically cover the core concepts of social media marketing, including its role in the marketing mix, different social media platforms and their functionalities, and basic content creation principles. During a short course, students might learn about other content formats like images, videos, and written posts, along with best practices for creating engaging content for various social media platforms. Some short courses might also provide a basic overview of social media analytics tools and how to track your results, like measuring engagement and reach.

Social Media Certifications

Social media marketing certification classes can vary depending on the specific program and certifying body. Still, they generally cover a core set of topics to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this field. A certification class can last between four and twelve weeks, depending on the content. Because a social media marketing class is longer than a short course, you will dive into more intricate strategies. Students may learn about social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) and their unique functionalities and audiences. Students may become familiar with community management and engagement through strategies for building and interacting with your online community, fostering brand loyalty, and handling customer service inquiries. At the end of the course, students will obtain a social media marketing certificate that validates their knowledge and enhances their marketability in the job market. 

Social Media Marketing Bootcamps 

Social media marketing boot camps are intensive training programs designed to equip you with the marketing skills and knowledge to succeed. They typically last between a few weeks and several months. Bootcamps aim to provide a well-rounded foundation in social media marketing covering topics like social media strategy and planning, understanding target audiences and social media demographics, community management, and engagement tactics, to name a few. Some bootcamps might offer specialized tracks focusing on specific areas like social media for ecommerce or B2B marketing. Many bootcamps invite industry professionals to share their real-world experiences and insights, providing valuable career advice and networking opportunities.

Bootcamps can provide opportunities to connect with instructors, guest speakers, and fellow students. This allows you to build your professional network within the social media marketing field. They can also offer career support services like resume and portfolio-building workshops, mock interviews, and job placement assistance. 

Traditional Semester Long Classes

Traditional semester-long social media marketing classes, typically offered at colleges and universities, provide a comprehensive introduction to the field. These classes usually last for a full semester, which can range from 14 to 16 weeks, depending on the institution. Students will typically meet for a few hours (1-3 hours) each week, with a mix of lectures, discussions, and activities. Traditional semester-long social media marketing classes offer a solid foundation in the field. They are ideal for students seeking a structured learning experience and a comprehensive understanding of social media marketing principles. 

Length Considerations When Choosing a Social Media Marketing Class

The delivery format can significantly influence the length of a social media marketing class in many ways. 

Depth of Curriculum 

The depth of the curriculum is directly related to the length of a social media marketing class. Classes that delve deeper into various aspects of social media marketing, like content creation strategies, social media advertising tactics, and advanced analytics, naturally require more time to cover the material effectively. Students need time to understand complex concepts, practice techniques, and analyze results. Classes covering multiple social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, must allocate time for each platform's unique features, algorithms, and best practices. Advanced courses might explore specialized areas like social media listening or influencer marketing. This necessitates allocating time for in-depth discussions, case studies, and practical exercises tailored to these specific areas.

Shorter social media marketing classes typically focus on foundational concepts like social media marketing principles, basic content creation strategies, and platform overviews. This allows them to cover a broader range of topics within a limited timeframe. Compared to advanced classes, introductory courses might have fewer in-depth projects or simulations. This will enable them to survey the landscape quickly and avoid getting bogged down in complex practical applications.

Delivery Format 

In-person classes typically follow a fixed schedule, meeting for a set number of hours per week over a specific term (semester, quarter). The instructor sets the pace and ensures all students cover the material together. This structure often leads to a predetermined course length, with weekly class meetings. As mentioned earlier, online courses maintain some structure by requiring live sessions at specific times. However, they might offer more flexibility than in-person classes regarding scheduling options (evenings, weekends). 

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous

Synchronous classes typically range from one to three hours per session, meeting once or twice a week for the course duration. A synchronous class's fixed schedule and length can be a challenge if you have a busy work or personal life. Asynchronous courses can vary greatly in overall length. The learning pace depends on you, with deadlines for completing modules or assignments.

Learn Social Media Marketing with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers in-person and live online social media marketing courses for those looking to learn the ins and outs of marketing. These classes are available to those just getting started and seasoned professionals hoping to acquire advanced-level digital marketing training. All Noble courses provide hands-on training in a small class environment and allow students to retake the class for free for up to one year after graduation.

The Instagram Marketing Bootcamp is a great option for learners hoping to learn Instagram marketing. This one-day workshop explores Instagram, one of the most widely used networks. The workshop looks at platform functioning and advertising in addition to the content. Students will learn how to develop a paid and organic marketing strategy for Instagram, including creating engaging content, mastering Stories, leveraging hashtags, capturing content, developing a community, and creating a post cadence and collaborations. They will also discover how to create a business page, use paid advertising, and integrate Shopify with Instagram.

If interest lies more in Facebook, there is also a Facebook Marketing Bootcamp. In two days, learners will gain an understanding of one of the most popular platforms: Facebook. They will be introduced to current Facebook marketing trends and develop a marketing strategy that works for them. In this workshop, students will discover how to create and manage effective Facebook ad campaigns. They will learn about business pages, Facebook groups, targeted ads, conversion tracking, audience targeting, and the Facebook Pixel. More specifically, they will explore the Facebook algorithm, Meta Business Manager, content and interactions, Shopify integration, Meta Ads Manager, and more. 

Students can boost their social media marketing skills and stay on top of trends with Noble Desktop’s Social Media Marketing Certificate. This bootcamp teaches students how to increase a business's online following within the competitive marketplace. Units one, five, and six get more granular with a LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook marketing bootcamp. Students will also learn how to create effective strategies on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter to grow their online following and stand out in the marketplace. Students will learn about the popular content categories across the platforms, including images, videos, and written content.

Middle and high school students can gain a headstart in the world of social media marketing through NextGen Bootcamp’s Social Media Marketing Summer Program. With social media marketing skills, students will be empowered to be savvy digital citizens who can leverage social media responsibly and strategically for their personal and future professional goals. This summer program will teach students about the newest trends in social media marketing and how to stand out on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Students will learn to create written, visual, and videos for their target audience. Students can confidently launch a multi-platform social media campaign by the course's end.