The University of Southern Mississippi is a Carnegie R1 research institution known nationally for its programs. But as it relates to a new minor on campus, it was developed in-house. 

The Social Media Content and Strategy minor was built on the foundations of collaboration between the School of Marketing and School of Communication.

 It takes social media, design, marketing and communications courses from both schools and incorporates their respective disciplines together to form a substantive minor. 

David R. Davies, one of the directors of the program, has noted nearly seamless collaboration between both schools. 

“I cannot say enough good things about our colleagues in business,” Davies said. “They’re absolutely wonderful partners, in terms of doing the heavy lifting of getting this minor underway.”

As a 21-hour minor, this resembles the length of many comparable minors within both schools.

Senior Public Relations and Advertising major Vivienne Cookmeyer was one of the many students who saw the new minor as an opportunity for their academic careers. Already having a Spanish minor, Cookmeyer took prerequisites over the summer to start accumulating hours this past fall semester. 

“Social media is in every part of mass communication and marketing and advertising is in every part of social media,” Cookmeyer said. “I think this is a really important minor, especially for someone in PR and advertising.” 

Though the minor has attracted many students like Cookmeyer, it is a given that every student cannot add this minor to their coursework. But Davies has a recommendation to those –in and outside of both schools- who cannot. 

“Fun electives are absolutely great,” Davies said. “But I would urge students to be strategic in picking electives and minors to make certain that the choices they make lead them closer to a goal that they already have.” 

Cookmeyer also shares this perspective.  

“Even if you don’t do the minor, I think you should at least take some of the electives like Dr. Davies’ class because it will give you insight that’s going to help you and put you further in your career,” Cookmeyer said.  

Information about course requirements and electives needed for the minor can be found at catalog.usm.edu.