Skip to Content

Content Marketing

Specialized Certificate

Learn the Skills and Best Practices to Craft Relevant and Valuable Marketing Content

Page Tools

Home / Courses and programs / Content Marketing

About the Content Marketing Program

UC San Diego Extension remains committed to helping you achieve your educational goals. In an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have transitioned many of our courses to an online or live online format. Live Online classes are fully online with live virtual class meetings each week using our Zoom conferencing system. Online classes will have pre-recorded lectures each week and guided assignments from the instructor. We will resume in-person classes when it is deemed safe to do so.

Advance your career and broaden your skillset by developing strategic storytelling skills when you complete the Content Marketing Certificate program of study. Content Marketing is defined as the marketing and business process for creating and distributing relevant and valuable content to attract, acquire, and engage a clearly defined and targeted audience to drive profitable customer action. Well-developed content is the heart of a successful marketing campaign. Leveraging the concept that “education is the best marketing,” you will learn how to attract and retain your audience, and increase ROI (return-on-investment) through the planning, development and evaluation of valuable and accessible content in this program.

  • How to examine current professional and consumer trends in content creation, measurement, distribution and general media aesthetics.
  • How to create content for a variety of industries and platforms.
  • The art of planning and crafting targeted content for high-impact campaigns.
  • How to engage with compelling communication for current and prospective customers.
  • Content Management Systems (CMS), and how to measure, analyze, and report on performance against key indicators (KPIs).
  • Designed for marketers and content creators, such as writers or designers, who’d like to explore a range of tools and tactics to develop the specialized skills needed to generate brand awareness and increase authentic audience engagement.
  • Content marketers seeking to advance their skillset and career path.
  • This certificate is also intended for individuals who would like to pursue a career in marketing. The skills learned in this certificate prepare students for a career as a Marketing Assistant, Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Manager, Marketing Associate, Marketing Representative, and Marketing Specialist.
Format: In-Person, Online

Online options vary by quarter and specialization.

Estimated Cost: $3,870

Early enrollment discounts can reduce cost. Textbooks/materials separate.

Duration: 9 - 18 months

Varies by student and courses taken per quarter.

Contact
Department
Arts, Humanities, Languages & Digital Arts
Phone
858-534-5760
Email
ahl@ucsd.edu

Courses

Delivery Method
Show Legend
  • Live Online
  • In-Person
  • Online
  • Hybrid
Download PDF

Required Courses

All 12 units are required.

Content MarketingBUSA-40880

Units: 3.00

$595

Content marketing is defined as the marketing and business process for creating and distributing relevant and valuable content to attract, acquire, and engage a clearly defined and understood target a...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Strategic Content PlanningART-40713

Units: 3.00

$595

Strategic Content Planning 9 Weeks | $595 | OnlineThe key to attaining a leadership role as Content Strategist involves understanding industry best practices, facilitating strategy amongst various di...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Winter, Summer

Branding & Storytelling using Content CreationART-40712

Units: 3.00

$595

Branding Storytelling using Content Creation 9 Weeks | $595 | OnlineIn an ever-evolving industry where branded content is quickly replacing traditional advertising, storytelling is key in the conte...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Spring

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and MarketingCSE-41157

Units: 3.00

$695

In our current information age, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a method of marketing used by companies world-wide and is one of the most successful and cost-effective ways of obtaining business t...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Elective Courses

Minimum of 5 units required. Enrolled certificate students MUST follow matrix as listed in their MyExtension account.

Introduction to DesignART-40720

Units: 3.00

$570-$595

Introduction to Design 9 Weeks | $595 | Online and In-classElements and principles, color, type, composition This is an introductory course that will cover the elements or principles, of visual desi...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Principles of User Experience (UX)ART-40638

Units: 4.00

$795

The field of user Experience (UX) Design is ever evolving-- and with this evolution comes new design tools, techniques and strategies. As the first course of the UX Design Certificate, Principles of U...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

The Writer's Art of InterviewingWCWP-40123

Units: 2.00

$220

Effective interviewing techniques translate to writing that is clear, lively, and depending on the writer s mission instructive or entertaining. This course will encompass all the integral compone...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Spring

Introduction to Photo JournalismART-40693

Units: 2.00

$285

Introduction to Photo Journalism 6 weeks | $285 | In-ClassPhotographs can change the world and how we see it. In this course, students will be introduced to the history of photojournalism, exploring ...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Summer

Fundamentals of PodcastingART-40710

Units: 2.00

TBD

UC San Diego Extension remains committed to helping you achieve your educational goals. In an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have transitioned many of our courses to an online or li...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall

Copywriting I: Writing for User ExperienceWCWP-40330

Units: 3.00

TBD

Build essential copywriting skills to professionally use long-form writing techniques for User Experience, such as What s In It For Me (WIIFM) and Storytelling, to create engaging, integrated marketin...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

The Art and Business of BloggingWCWP-40334

Units: 3.00

$320

In this course students will learn the art of writing for an online audience, how to create a basic Wordpress site, insert blog posts, edit, and brand their blog. This course will also touch on how to...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Scoring and Sound DesignART-40664

Units: 3.00

$395

Dive into the world of sound and music as used in film, television, and advertising. This course will explore the role of the composer and sound designer in cinematic movies, dramatic TV, and advertis...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring

Additional Information

Questions about our classes or certificates? Contact our department at 858-534-5760 or ahl@ucsd.edu.

Conditions for Admission

Basic knowledge of Mac or Windows OS is required. 1-2 years of previous experience in marketing is recommended.

Advisory Board

Jennifer Davies

Director of Cultural Tourism

SD Tourism Authority

Erika DiProfio

Director of Marketing

Omni La Costa

Steven Dow

Associate Professor, Cognitive Sciences

Design Lab UC San Diego

Francisco Martinez

VP Social Media & Influencer Marketing

Zen Media

Jarrod Tallman

Founder & Managing Director

Hank Films

Cindy Turrietta

Digital Marketing/SEO Strategist

CindyT Consulting

Jennifer von Stauffenberg

President

Olive Creative Strategies

Programs you may also like:

Specialized Certificate

Digital Marketing

Specialized Certificate

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Professional Certificate

Marketing

Related Articles

July 09, 2020

On Answering a Different Call: From Pastor to UX Designer

For Kristin Pedroza, the shift in careers from church pastor to user experience designer has been significant but not entirely surprising. 

September 13, 2019

Nobody Reads Anymore and Other Marketing Myths

Tips for content marketers or anyone wondering what in the world content marketing is all about. 

August 24, 2017

Peggie Peattie on the Past, Present and Future of Photojournalism

"Even though the tools have changed, journalism, even more so now, demands that you are meticulous about truth-telling and the quality of the content that you generate." Peggy Peattie

July 06, 2015

Become an SEO champion: Use this resource guide

SEO is a complex subject with multiple components. While it is a rather extensive subject, the basics can be easy to learn if you know where to go.
Request information

Request Information

Interested in the Program?

Request information

Interested in the Program?

<%= ApplyEnrollText %>

Apply Now

Ready to get started?

<%= ApplyEnrollText %>

Ready to get started?

This certificate requires an application before taking any courses. There will be a $0 fee to apply to this program. Students will also be required to pay a $95 certificate fee upon enrollment into the program after acceptance. View the complete Certificate Registration and Candidacy Guidelines.

APPLY TO THIS CERTIFICATE