For Immediate Release: May 20

Media Contact:
Dr. Curt Gilstrap
Director, Master of Arts in Communication
Office: (417) 873-4068
Mobile: (417) 496-8558
E-mail: cgilstrap01@drury.edu

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., May 20, 2010 — Drury University has added an online class to its Social Media Certificate program for graduate credit. Deltina Hay, author of "A Survival Guide to Social Media and Web 2.0 Optimization," will facilitate the webinar program, teaching students how to use social media and Web 2.0 technologies.

Drury University offers both on-campus classes and the online webinar class as a means of providing education in the best practices, texts, and research compiled in new media communications. Students who successfully complete Drury's social media program, either seated or online, will receive 3 hours of graduate credit that is transferrable to accredited universities accepting social media courses within their degree programs.

"Drury chose to use 'A Survival Guide to Social Media and Web 2.0 Optimization' as the main text for the Social Media Certificate program," comments Dr. Curt Gilstrap, Director of Drury's Master of Arts in Communication. "Clearly it is one of the most comprehensive and pragmatic social media resources available."

The goal is for students to gain media management skills and to master the landscape of integrated media. Students will develop technology skills while designing and piloting social media campaigns. Upon completion, they will receive a social media certificate from Drury University to demonstrate competency in social media gained through an accredited, graduate-level curriculum.

"Companies are seeking educated employees trained in the latest technologies," comments Hay. "I use my text as a resource during the training so the students can return to it (and the companion CD) for support - when they are actually implementing social media applications. A reliable guide book simplifies the entire process."

The webinar series is scheduled to begin on June 7th and will allow students to gain a social media certificate from the 40-hour graduate course. Drury's Social Media Certificate program is open to anyone with a bachelor's degree. At $2,000, the tuition for the webinar is less than the cost of similar collegiate programs.

For more information and to register, visit Drury University's Social Media Certificate website at http://www.socialmediacertificate.net

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