Creative Strategy Graduate Certificate

College of Creative Arts and Media

Unleash Your Creativity and Master Collaboration

The Creative Strategy Graduate Certificate provides you with the practical skills needed to thrive in a marketing world that requires powerful collaboration between creatives and strategists in order for campaigns to succeed. The learn-it-today, use-it-tomorrow focus is built into the curriculum and teaches you the importance of applying the best strategies and tactics to reach key audiences. The program is taught by a diverse faculty — from marketing directors to academics to entrepreneurs — who are recognized leaders in their fields.

You will explore how content is evolving, how to design marketing and communications strategy, as well as how to select print, digital and social media vehicles for content delivery. The courses provide you with a background in creative concepts, digital storytelling, visual information design, and professional creative and art direction techniques. If you enjoy working creatively to express complex visual ideas and concepts, this certificate can lead to many different careers in this fast-moving industry.

• Creative-Driven Curriculum: Explore advanced creative concepts, digital storytelling, visual information design, and content creation.
• Flexible Online Format: Complete four courses entirely online—no on-campus attendance required.
• Real-World Application: Learn to craft strategic campaigns that resonate across print, digital, and social media platforms.
• Collaborative Skill Building: Master the art of working across creative and strategic teams to deliver impactful marketing solutions.
• Expert Faculty: Learn from a diverse group of industry leaders, including marketing directors, entrepreneurs, and academic professionals.

This four-course graduate certificate is offered exclusively online.  You will focus on the creative aspects of integrated marketing communications planning and execution. Additionally, you will benefit from instruction by a diverse faculty of recognized leaders in their fields.

The Creative Strategy Graduate Certificate emphasizes creative strategy and execution, as you engage in building strategic and relevant marketing campaigns.  Emphasis is placed on creative thinking as it is applied to writing, discussion, conception and presentation. In writing, it plays a significant role in paraphrasing, fine-tuning ideas and avoiding plagiarism. In coursework and classroom discussion, creative thinking allows students to take risks and more fully express their ideas and opinions while building creative and insight driven marketing campaigns.

You will explore advanced creative concepts, digital storytelling, visual information design, and content creation. Whether you are passionate about content creation, visual art, or both, the Creative Strategy Graduate Certificate equips you with the skills needed to deliver exceptional content to diverse audiences.

After completing this certificate program, you will be equipped to do the following: 

• Design marketing and communications branding to create a visual identification for an IMC brand strategy.
• Explore branding in terms of mission, voice, color psychology and visual identity.
• Convey and learn to express complex visual ideas and concepts.
• Research, analyze and recommend appropriate media from a selection of print, digital and social media vehicles used by contemporary publishers for content delivery and brand marketing.
• Conceive, develop and express complex visual ideas and concepts, translating them into a coherent visual identity that builds a brand and reinforces its marketing objectives.
• Explore how the role of content is evolving in the modern marketing landscape and how to apply different types of content generation to new and traditional marketing channels.
• Create storyboards for content development and develop script writing techniques for production. Understand how color, layout, and typography can be used to create a compelling visual message and brand.
• Apply professional creative direction and art direction techniques across print, digital and social media.

• Designate your Admission Type as Graduate Certificate. Under Intended Program, select Creative Strategy (CG48). The primary delivery method is online.
• Pay the $60 non-refundable graduate application fee.
• Submit 300-500 word personal statement about your interest in the IMC program and how it will meet your career objectives.
• Submit resume that illustrates relevant and professional experience. Please convert your resume to PDF to ensure that no formatting is altered.
• Letters of Recommendation (optional). Input the name and contact information of each recommendation provider in the “Recommendations – Recommendation Providers list” section.
• GRE or GMAT scores (optional). The destination code for the GRE is 5904 and the GMAT is C2S-FB-24.
• TOEFL or IELTS Scores for International Students. WVU requires international students to submit their TOEFL or IELTS scores directly to WVU Hub, 62 Morrill Way - Suite 220, Morgantown, WV 26506. Use the destination code 5904 to have TOEFL scores sent. Generally, applicants whose first language is not English must submit adequate TOEFL or IELTS results before an application can be considered for admission: TOEFL (Internet-Based) = 79; TOEFL (Computer-Based = 213; TOEFL (Paper-Based) = 550; IELTS = 6.5.
• Request official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU) and mail to:
• WVU Hub
  P.O. Box 6004
  Morgantown, WV 26506
• or Email to: GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu

Questions? Email wvuimc@mail.wvu.edu or call (304) 293-6278.

How to Apply

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies, and living expenses. Visit the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

Tuition per credit hour is listed on the page of your program of interest. Please note, tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change at the start of each academic year.

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