By: Natalie Jones

Did you know that Belmont launched a new bachelor’s degree this fall? This year, Belmont was one of the first colleges in the nation to unveil a Social Media Management program. Students are now able to major and minor in social media!

Social Media is a huge part of our day-to-day life and the way that our world operates, so it only makes sense that Belmont is providing students with the opportunity to become strategic social media communicators.

According to Belmont’s website, the new Social Media Management program will “prepare aspiring communication professionals to think strategically about the web-based and mobile platforms that are connecting people like never before.” Dr. Trowbridge, an awesome PR professor within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, is also the new director for the Social Media Management degree. Dr. Trowbridge is very passionate and excited about this new opportunity for students and encourages anyone interested to reach out to him.

The new major and minor are a mix of different public relations and social media courses. Social Media Management will pair very well with a Communication Studies or Corporate Communications major or minor. Dr. Trowbridge says “there are deep connections between Communication Studies and the programs offered by the Department of Public Relations. Our newest program in Social Media Management would be a perfect second major or minor for students who are interested in how communication is used strategically in today’s social media-dominated society.” If you are interested in adding a minor or double major, you should definitely look into the social media classes being offered next semester. Under the PRL category in Classfinder, you will find multiple Social Media Management classes being offered in the spring, such as Risk and Crisis Management for Social Media, Social Media, and Content Development, etc.

Dr. Trowbridge believes this degree will allow students to become digital creators and strategists who are capable of managing social media personally and professionally. He says “many job openings for emerging communication professionals are seeking applicants to manage social media strategically, and that’s exactly what the social media management major and minor are designed to do.” If you are interested in learning more about Social Media Management at Belmont, feel free to email Dr. T at kevin.trowbridge.belmont.edu.