Hackettstown, N.J. -- Centenary College has opened a Social Media Center of Expertise and is now offering an innovative Social Media Marketing program. This Center, which is called #theVIBE, is the location where students gain social media expertise and where businesses can leverage the knowledge of social media experts.

Centenary College is offering a unique program with several approaches: earn a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Social Media Marketing or combine a Social Media Marketing minor with other majors, such as Graphic Design or Communication. Professionals can also experience career enhancement by earning a Social Media Marketing Certificate.

"The program Centenary College is launching in Social Media will help fill the gap we see today in analytic talent and appears to be on the forefront of instilling the skills colleges should be teaching to future professionals," Kevin Hartman, Google Head of Analytics – Consumer Goods and Entertainment Sector, said.

Recent trends in job postings indicate that employers increasingly cite social media knowledge as a required skill for many traditional marketing positions. In fact, jobs requiring social media skills increased 1,357% from 2010 and 2013.

"Providing our students with the opportunity to study this field that is predicted to experience accelerated job growth through 2022 is one that is valuable and unique," Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, Centenary College President, said. "This is an exciting new venture that will provide students and businesses alike with knowledge that is now fast becoming essential in the business and communication field."

Students studying Social Media Marketing will be immersed in the latest social media tools via a fun, hands-on approach in our modern technology center, #theVIBE. Courses that are being offered are Social Media Marketing, Digital Advertising, Digital Analytics and Social Media Strategy and Consulting. This initiative will be managed by Kathy Naasz, Dean of the Social Media Center of Expertise.

"I have been collaborating with New York City start-ups to design our new center with a modern and hip feel," Naasz said. "Our graduates will stand out with an undergraduate degree focused on Social Media Marketing in a job market that is increasingly demanding these skills. To put it simply, businesses need high quality social media experts and we are going to provide them."

For more information, visit www.centenarycollege.edu/socialmedia