Arizona State University Launches ‘Content Creation’ Major To Train Students As Social Media Influencers

Arizona State University is now offering a Bachelor of Arts degree in "Content Creation," a new major within the university's Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication designed to train students to become professional social media influencers. The program prepares students "to become an influencer and strategic storyteller who thrives in the rapidly evolving creator economy," according to the program description on ASU's website. The major was created for students who "dream of monetizing" their social media platforms, and coursework will teach them how to market themselves while building a real online following.

What The Program Teaches

According to ASU's official program description, "Program coursework emphasizes content planning, video and podcast production, global perspectives and personal branding."

Students will also "gain real-world know-how through experiences such as the Los Angeles Content Studio, brand content projects, media internships and content creation trips abroad." Donald Trump Moves to Block US Entry for Foreign Students Planning to Study at Harvard University.

Dean Says Students Will Build Real Audiences

Jessica Pucci, senior associate dean at the Cronkite School, said students enrolled in the program "will have demonstrable audience growth," according to a report by AZ Family.

"They will have a platform of their choice with real content and real followers and a real audience behind them," she said.

Pucci added that students will analyze the performance of their content and develop strategies to improve it over time. ChatGPT in Classrooms: Arizona State University Becomes First Education Institute To Collaborate With OpenAI To Bring Popular AI Chabot to Classroom.

Influencer Says Program Would Have Helped Her Career

Anna Elizabeth, an influencer and medical assistant based in Arizona, praised the new major, saying it would have helped her when she was starting out.

"There's editing, there's marketing strategies of it. There's like, 'How do I get PR? How do I get brands to notice me?'" Elizabeth said. "It's a little bit difficult to understand that portion if you haven't done it for a long time."

Critics Question The Major's Value

Not everyone is convinced of the program's worth. ASU Professor Owen Anderson raised doubts about the major on X, writing, "Will it survive the new federal rule that a degree must give a higher income to its graduates than those without a degree?"

Other Universities Offer Similar Programs

ASU is not the first school to train students in content creation. Syracuse University launched its "Center for the Creator Economy" last year to train students in the field, The College Fix reported.

Matthew Pittman, a University of Tennessee professor who went viral for "canceling" class over Taylor Swift's engagement, told The Fix that such programs are relevant in the digital age.

"Creativity is a muscle, and just like any other muscle, the more you flex it, the stronger you get," Pittman said. "The more you try creating, the easier it is to create."

Graceland University, a private school in Illinois, also offers a digital content creation major. According to the school's website, it teaches students "the skills to produce compelling content across the entire range of digital media, video and podcasts to social media, email, and websites."

Grand Canyon University, a private Christian school in Arizona, offers a similar degree in social media. "This program focuses on developing the practical skills needed to design and produce digital social media content while supporting the business expectations of an employer," the program description states.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 26, 2026 07:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).