Top 10 Media Specialist Certifications

Certifications for media specialists are important because they demonstrate a level of expertise and proficiency in the field. They also signify a commitment to ongoing learning and advancement, which is essential in a rapidly changing field. Additionally, certifications can be helpful when applying for jobs, as they serve as evidence that the applicant has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the job. Finally, having certifications may also lead to increased salary or other benefits like tuition reimbursement.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Media Specialists and explain how they can help advance a media specialist's career.

What are Media Specialist Certifications?

Media specialist certification is a professional certification program that provides training and education in the use of media resources and technologies. This certification equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to develop, manage, and evaluate library media programs. It also allows them to better understand the role of media in learning, teaching, and research.

By obtaining media specialist certification, individuals can demonstrate their expertise in areas such as instructional design, educational technology, information literacy, information retrieval systems, copyright law, digital literacy, and more. This can be incredibly beneficial for those working in academic libraries or school libraries where these topics are essential for effective library operations and services. Furthermore, it helps professionals stay abreast of changes in technology that affect library operations. In addition to having greater knowledge of technology-related topics relevant to library work, having a media specialist certification also gives professionals an advantage when applying for job opportunities as it demonstrates their commitment to staying up to date on current trends and best practices.

Pro Tip: When considering media specialist certification, research the requirements for your state and be sure to meet all of their requirements before applying. This will ensure that you are able to receive the certification in a timely manner and avoid any unnecessary delays.

Related: What does a Media Specialist do?

Top 10 Media Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Media Specialists today.

1. Certified Media Specialist (CMS)

Certified Media Specialist (CMS) is a professional certification program offered by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). The certification provides recognition for individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in the area of media production, post-production, and content delivery.

To become a Certified Media Specialist, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as digital media formats, media asset management, audio/video editing, streaming technologies, and more. The exam is administered online through SMPTE's secure testing platform. It takes approximately two hours to complete the exam.

The cost to take the CMS exam is $150 USD for SMPTE members or $300 USD for non-members. To become a member of SMPTE, applicants must pay an annual membership fee of $125 USD.

Upon successful completion of the CMS exam, individuals will receive their official certification from SMPTE and be listed on the organization's website as a Certified Media Specialist.

2. Certified Digital Media Specialist (CDMS)

Certified Digital Media Specialist (CDMS) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage digital media projects. The CDMS certification is awarded by the Digital Media Certification Institute (DMCI).

The CDMS program consists of four courses that are taken online. These courses cover topics such as digital media production, content management, project management, and marketing. The program takes approximately six months to complete.

To get certified, applicants must pass all four courses with a minimum score of 70%. In addition, applicants must also submit a portfolio showcasing their work in digital media. Once accepted into the program, applicants will need to pay a fee of $699 USD.

Once an applicant has successfully completed the program and passed all exams, they will receive their CDMS certification from DMCI. This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking additional courses or passing an exam.

3. Certified Social Media Strategist (CSMS)

A Certified Social Media Strategist (CSMS) is a professional who has been certified by an accredited organization to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of social media strategy. A CSMS is knowledgeable in the areas of content creation, audience engagement, analytics, and platform management.

It typically takes anywhere from 6-12 months to become a Certified Social Media Strategist depending on the program you choose. To become certified, you must complete a course or program that covers topics such as content creation and optimization, audience engagement strategies, analytics & reporting, and platform management. You may also need to pass an exam or complete a portfolio project to demonstrate your mastery of the material.

There are several organizations that offer certification programs for social media strategists such as Hootsuite Academy, HubSpot Academy, and Social Media Marketing Institute (SMMi). The cost of these programs can vary depending on the provider but generally range from $200-$600 USD.

4. Certified Online Advertising Professional (COAP)

Certified Online Advertising Professional (COAP) is a certification program designed to help marketers and professionals in the online advertising industry increase their knowledge and understanding of the field. It is offered by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), an organization that works to promote digital media, technology, and marketing standards. The COAP certification is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of online advertising topics, including digital media buying and selling, search engine optimization, display ad targeting, mobile marketing, social media marketing, analytics and more.

The COAP certification program consists of four courses: Introduction to Digital Media Buying & Selling; Search Engine Optimization & Targeting; Mobile Marketing & Analytics; and Social Media Marketing & Content Strategy. Each course takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete. After completing all four courses, participants must pass a final exam in order to become certified.

The cost for the COAP certification program is $595 USD for IAB members or $795 USD for non-members. The fee includes access to all four courses as well as the final exam.

5. Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP)

Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) is a certification program designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful digital marketers. The program was developed by the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI), a leading global provider of digital marketing education and certifications.

The CDMP program is divided into three levels: Foundation, Practitioner, and Professional. Each level covers different topics related to digital marketing, such as SEO, SEM, social media marketing, email marketing, content creation, analytics and more. It takes approximately 120 hours to complete all three levels of the CDMP program.

To get certified as a CDMP professional, you must first pass an exam administered by DMI. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover the topics covered in each level of the program. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official certification from DMI.

The cost for taking the CDMP exam varies depending on which level you are taking it for. The Foundation level costs $395 USD; the Practitioner level costs $595 USD; and the Professional level costs $795 USD. Additionally, there is an annual renewal fee of $95 USD for all three levels of certification.

6. Certified Content Marketing Specialist (CCMS)

A Certified Content Marketing Specialist (CCMS) is a professional certification offered by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI). It is designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of content marketers who are responsible for creating, managing, and evaluating content marketing strategies.

The CCMS certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in content marketing, as well as a minimum of five years of experience in the field. In addition, applicants must complete an online application form and pass an exam that covers topics such as content strategy, analytics, optimization, and more. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost of the CCMS certification varies depending on whether you choose to take the exam online or in-person. Online exams typically cost $499 USD while in-person exams cost $599 USD. The fee also includes access to CMI’s learning platform which provides additional resources for preparing for the exam.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CCMS certificate from CMI within 4-6 weeks. This certificate will serve as proof that you have achieved a high level of knowledge in content marketing and can help you stand out in your field.

7. Accredited Digital Media Manager (ADMM)

Accredited Digital Media Manager (ADMM) is a professional certification program that provides digital media professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage digital media campaigns. The program is designed to help digital media managers become more efficient and effective in their roles, while also providing them with the tools they need to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in digital media.

The ADMM program consists of three courses: Digital Media Fundamentals, Digital Media Strategies, and Digital Media Management. Each course is offered online and takes approximately six weeks to complete. Upon successful completion of all three courses, participants will receive an Accreditation Certificate from the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS).

The cost of the ADMM program varies depending on which course you are taking. The cost for each individual course ranges from $500-$1,000 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with enrolling in the program such as registration fees or technology fees.

In order to get your ADMM certification, you must successfully complete all three courses within one year of enrollment. Once you have completed all three courses, you will be eligible for the IADAS Accreditation Certificate which can then be used as proof of your professional qualifications in digital media management.

8. Advanced Digital Marketing Certification (ADMC)

Advanced Digital Marketing Certification (ADMC) is a comprehensive digital marketing program designed to help professionals become certified in the latest digital marketing strategies and tactics. It is offered by the Digital Marketing Institute, which is an industry-leading provider of digital marketing education.

The ADMC program covers topics such as SEO, PPC, content marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, analytics and more. It takes approximately 10 weeks to complete the program and consists of online courses and live webinars with experts in the field. Upon completion of the coursework, students must pass a final exam to become certified.

In order to get ADMC certification, you must first register for the program on the Digital Marketing Institute website. The cost of registration varies depending on your country of residence and other factors. Once registered, you will have access to all course materials and be able to participate in live webinars with experts in the field.

The cost of ADMC certification can range from $1,500-$2,000 USD depending on your location and other factors.

9. Google Ads Certification

Google Ads Certification is a professional accreditation that Google offers to individuals who demonstrate proficiency in basic and advanced aspects of Google Ads. The certification is available for both individuals and companies, and it shows that you have a solid understanding of how to create, manage, measure, and optimize Google Ads campaigns.

The certification process takes approximately one hour to complete. You must pass two exams: the Fundamentals exam and one other advanced exam. The Fundamentals exam covers the basics of setting up and managing an account, while the advanced exam focuses on more complex topics such as targeting, bidding strategies, reporting, optimization techniques, etc.

You can get certified by visiting the Google Ads Certification page on the Google website. There you will find information about the exams and links to study materials that will help you prepare for them. Once you’ve completed both exams with a passing score of 80%, you will receive your certification via email within 7 days.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on which country you are in; however, it is generally free or low-cost.

10. Bing Ads Accreditation

Bing Ads Accreditation is a program that certifies professionals in the field of search engine marketing and advertising. It is designed to help marketers demonstrate their expertise in Bing Ads, Microsoft’s search engine marketing platform. It is offered by Microsoft Advertising, the company that owns and operates Bing Ads.

The accreditation process takes about two hours to complete and consists of a series of online assessments covering topics such as campaign setup, optimization, targeting, budgeting, reporting, and more. To become accredited, you must score 80% or higher on each assessment.

The cost for the accreditation is $50 USD. Once you have completed the assessment and paid the fee, you will receive a certificate from Microsoft Advertising that certifies your knowledge in Bing Ads. The certificate is valid for one year before needing to be renewed.

To get started with Bing Ads Accreditation, go to https://advertising.microsoft.com/en-us/bing-ads-accreditation and follow the instructions provided there.

Do You Really Need a Media Specialist Certificate?

Whether or not you need a media specialist certificate really depends on the type of job you are seeking. If you are looking to work in a library, school, or other educational setting, then having a media specialist certificate may be beneficial. It can help demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage and organize information resources.

However, if you are looking for a job in another field, such as marketing or communications, then having a media specialist certificate may not be necessary. In these cases, employers may prefer to see relevant experience or qualifications related to the specific field of work.

Ultimately, it is important to think about what type of job you want and then decide if a media specialist certificate is something that would be beneficial for your career goals. Depending on your situation and career aspirations, it could be worth considering whether investing in a media specialist certificate would be worthwhile.

Related: Media Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Media Specialist Certifications

1. What is a media specialist certification?

A media specialist certification is a professional credential awarded to those who demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field of media, including audio-visual technology, graphic design, photography, and digital media production.

2. How do I become certified as a media specialist?

In order to become certified as a media specialist, you must first complete an accredited degree program in the field of media or related fields such as communication or graphic design. Once you have completed your degree, you can then apply for certification through organizations such as the National Association of Media Specialists (NAMS).

3. What are the requirements for certification?

The specific requirements for certification vary depending on the organization offering the certification. Generally speaking, most organizations require applicants to have a minimum of two years' experience in the field of media and/or related areas. They also require applicants to pass an exam that tests their knowledge and skills in the field of media.

4. How much does it cost to become certified?

The cost of certification varies depending on which organization you apply through and what type of certification you are seeking. Most organizations charge an application fee and may also require additional fees such as exam fees or membership fees.

5. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

Becoming certified provides individuals with both professional recognition and credibility within the industry, which can lead to better job opportunities or higher salaries. It can also provide access to exclusive resources or networks that may be beneficial for career advancement or furthering one’s education in the field of media.