Top 10 Outreach Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for an outreach specialist in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge in the field. Outreach specialists are responsible for connecting with and engaging communities, so being able to demonstrate a high level of knowledge is essential for success. Certifications also provide evidence that the specialist has taken the time to learn about the specific field, which can be beneficial when competing against other applicants. Finally, certifications can help to open doors to new opportunities and can even lead to higher pay or more prestigious positions.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Outreach Specialists and explains how they can help to advance an Outreach Specialist's career.

What are Outreach Specialist Certifications?

Outreach specialist certification is a professional certification that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful outreach specialists. Outreach specialists are responsible for developing and managing relationships with external organizations, such as schools, community groups, media outlets, and other stakeholders in order to advance the mission of their organization. An outreach specialist certification can help individuals develop the necessary communication, problem solving, and organizational skills needed to successfully practice outreach.

Outreach specialists must be able to effectively communicate with diverse audiences in order to gain support for their organization’s goals. They must also be able to identify potential partners and collaborate with them on mutually beneficial projects. An outreach specialist certification can provide individuals with the skills needed to effectively engage with these stakeholders and manage relationships over time.

In addition, an outreach specialist certification can provide individuals with a greater understanding of how to assess needs within a target population or region and design appropriate strategies for meeting those needs. This includes understanding how different cultures may respond differently to certain initiatives or messages and being able to tailor approaches accordingly. It also involves being able to analyze data related to an organization’s efforts in order to understand what works best for reaching particular goals or objectives.

Overall, an outreach specialist certification can help individuals become more knowledgeable about effective engagement strategies and better equipped at building meaningful relationships with external organizations and stakeholders that will lead to successful outcomes for their organization.

Pro Tip: If you are considering becoming an outreach specialist, make sure to research the different certifications available and find the one that best meets your specific needs. Certifications can give you the additional skills and knowledge needed to be a successful professional in this field. Additionally, many certifications offer continuing education opportunities that can help keep your skills up to date.

Related: What does an Outreach Specialist do?

Top 10 Outreach Specialist Certifications

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

1. Certified Outreach Professional (COP)

Certified Outreach Professional (COP) is a certification program that recognizes professionals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of outreach. This certification is offered by the National Outreach Certification Board (NOCB). The NOCB is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes professional standards and best practices for outreach professionals.

The COP certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a variety of areas related to outreach, including marketing, communication, public relations, community engagement, and program evaluation. Applicants must also demonstrate their commitment to ethical conduct and professionalism.

It typically takes about 6 months to complete the COP certification process. To become certified, applicants must first submit an application and provide proof of their education or experience in the field of outreach. Once approved, applicants must then pass an exam which covers topics such as marketing strategies, communication techniques, public relations principles, community engagement methods, program evaluation techniques, and ethical considerations.

The cost of becoming a Certified Outreach Professional varies depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances. The application fee is $50 USD and the exam fee is $250 USD.

2. Certified Outreach Specialist (COS)

A Certified Outreach Specialist (COS) is a professional credential that recognizes an individual’s expertise in the field of outreach and engagement. COS certification is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the core concepts and techniques of outreach, including public relations, marketing, communication, and community engagement.

The process for obtaining a COS certification involves completing an online application and passing an exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as public relations, marketing, communication, and community engagement. The exam fee is $150 USD.

Once the application has been approved and the exam has been passed, the applicant will be issued a COS certificate. The certificate must be renewed every two years by submitting proof of continuing education credits or taking a refresher course. The renewal fee is $100 USD.

3. Certified Outreach Manager (COM)

Certified Outreach Manager (COM) is a professional certification program offered by the American Marketing Association (AMA). The program provides marketing professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage outreach and engagement efforts.

The COM program consists of four courses that cover topics such as digital marketing, content strategy, customer segmentation, and data analysis. Each course is designed to help marketers develop their skills in these areas, so they can better understand how to create successful campaigns that reach their target audiences. The courses are delivered online and can be completed at your own pace.

It typically takes about six months to complete the program, depending on the individual's schedule and commitment level. To get certified, you must pass all four courses with a minimum score of 70%. You will also need to submit a portfolio of work demonstrating your understanding of the material covered in each course.

The cost for the COM program varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package starts at $1,495 USD and includes access to all four courses plus one-on-one coaching sessions with an AMA instructor. Other packages may include additional features such as webinars or mentorship opportunities.

4. Certified Social Media Outreach Specialist (CSMOS)

A Certified Social Media Outreach Specialist (CSMOS) is a professional who has the knowledge and experience to create, manage, and optimize social media campaigns. This certification is designed to help professionals understand the fundamentals of social media outreach and how to use it effectively to build relationships with customers and prospects.

The CSMOS certification program consists of four courses covering topics such as digital marketing strategy, content creation, customer engagement, analytics, and more. Each course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete.

To get certified as a CSMOS, you must pass all four courses with a score of 80% or higher. The cost for the program is $399 USD.

5. Certified Public Relations Outreach Specialist (CPROS)

A Certified Public Relations Outreach Specialist (CPROS) is a professional certification that demonstrates expertise in public relations and outreach. This certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge of the field, as well as their ability to effectively communicate with the public.

To become certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The exam covers topics such as media relations, crisis communications, social media management, and more. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience in public relations or related fields.

The cost of the exam varies depending on whether you are a PRSA member or not. For members, it costs $395 and for non-members it costs $495. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of 150 multiple choice questions.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CPROS certificate which is valid for five years from the date of issue. After five years, you will need to renew your certification by completing continuing education requirements set forth by PRSA.

6. Certified Digital Marketing Outreach Specialist (CDMOS)

A Certified Digital Marketing Outreach Specialist (CDMOS) is a professional who has been certified by an accredited organization to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in digital marketing outreach. This certification is designed to provide professionals with the necessary skills to create, execute, and measure successful digital marketing campaigns.

The CDMOS certification is offered by the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI). It takes approximately 6-8 weeks to complete the program and become certified. The program consists of 10 modules that cover topics such as SEO, content marketing, social media, email marketing, analytics and more.

To get the CDMOS certification you must first complete the DMI's online coursework which includes both self-paced and instructor-led learning activities. Once you have completed all of the coursework you must then pass a final exam which will test your knowledge on all of the topics covered in the program. After passing this exam you will receive your CDMOS certification from DMI.

The cost for getting a CDMOS certification varies depending on where you are located but typically ranges from $1,500-$2,000 USD.

7. Certified Content Marketing Outreach Specialist (CCMOS)

A Certified Content Marketing Outreach Specialist (CCMOS) is a professional designation that recognizes an individual’s expertise in content marketing and outreach. This certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in content marketing, social media, search engine optimization (SEO), and other related areas.

It typically takes around four to six months to complete the CCMOS program depending on the individual's prior experience and knowledge. The program consists of online courses, webinars, workshops, and assessments. Participants must also pass a final exam to receive their certification.

To become certified as a CCMOS, individuals must first register for the program through an accredited provider such as Content Marketing Institute or Content Marketing University. Once registered, participants can access course materials and begin their studies.

The cost of the CCMOS program varies by provider but generally ranges from $1,000 - $2,000 USD.

8. Certified Search Engine Optimization Outreach Specialist (CSEOOS)

Certified Search Engine Optimization Outreach Specialist (CSEOOS) is a certification program that provides marketers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively reach out to websites, blogs, and other online resources in order to increase their visibility in search engine results. The CSEOOS certification is offered by the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO).

The CSEOOS certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as keyword research, link building strategies, content marketing, and more. It typically takes around eight hours to complete the course. After completing the course, you must pass an exam in order to receive your certification.

The cost of the CSEOOS certification varies depending on whether you choose to take the online course or attend a live seminar. The online course costs $495 USD while attending a live seminar will cost $695 USD.

Once you have completed the course and passed the exam, you will be awarded your CSEOOS certification which will demonstrate your expertise in search engine optimization outreach techniques. This can be beneficial for any marketer looking to increase their visibility in search engine results and attract more customers to their business.

9. Certified Email Marketing Outreach Specialist (CEMOS)

Certified Email Marketing Outreach Specialists (CEMOS) are professionals who have been certified by the Email Experience Council (EEC) to demonstrate a high level of expertise in email marketing outreach. The CEMOS certification is designed to provide marketers with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively reach out to their target audiences through email campaigns.

To become a CEMOS, you must first complete the EEC’s online training program, which consists of four modules: Email Fundamentals, Email Strategy, Email Execution, and Advanced Email Tactics. Each module takes approximately two hours to complete and includes a final exam that must be passed with a score of 80% or higher.

Once you have completed all four modules, you will be eligible for the CEMOS certification exam. This exam consists of multiple-choice questions based on the material covered in the online training program. You will have two hours to complete the exam and must achieve an overall score of 70% or higher in order to pass.

The cost for the CEMOS certification program is $399 USD per person. This fee covers both the online training program and the certification exam.

10. Certified Inbound Marketing Outreach Specialist (CIMOS).

Certified Inbound Marketing Outreach Specialist (CIMOS) is a certification program offered by the Inbound Marketing Institute. It is designed to help professionals learn how to effectively use inbound marketing techniques to reach their target audience and grow their business. The certification covers topics such as content creation, SEO, email marketing, social media marketing, analytics, and more.

The CIMOS certification program consists of an online course that takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. The course material covers all aspects of inbound marketing and provides detailed instructions on how to implement each step. After completing the course, participants must pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive their certification.

The cost for the CIMOS certification program is $295 USD. This includes access to the online course material as well as the exam fee. Once certified, professionals will receive a digital certificate and can add this designation to their professional profile or resume.

Do You Really Need a Outreach Specialist Certificate?

Whether or not you need an outreach specialist certificate really depends on the job that you are applying for. Some jobs may require a certificate, while others may not. If the job requires a certificate, it is important to get one in order to be competitive and demonstrate your knowledge of the field. If the job does not require a certificate, it may still be beneficial to have one as it can show employers that you are serious about your career and have taken the time to learn more about outreach strategies and techniques. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if an outreach specialist certificate is worth pursuing.

Related: Outreach Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Outreach Specialist Certifications

Q1. What is an Outreach Specialist Certification?

A1. An Outreach Specialist Certification is a credential that shows you have the knowledge and skills to effectively communicate with and engage target audiences through outreach activities. It demonstrates your ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate successful outreach strategies.

Q2. How do I become certified as an Outreach Specialist?

A2. To become certified as an Outreach Specialist, you must complete a professional training program that covers topics such as communication techniques, public relations, media relations, event planning and management, marketing strategy development and more. After completing the training program, you must pass a certification exam to earn your certification.

Q3. What are the benefits of becoming an Outreach Specialist?

A3. Becoming an Outreach Specialist can help you stand out from other job applicants in the competitive communications field. You will be able to demonstrate your expertise in developing effective outreach strategies and engaging target audiences while promoting products or services for organizations or businesses. Additionally, having this certification may open up career opportunities in public relations or marketing departments of companies or government agencies.

Q4. How long does it take to become certified as an Outreach Specialist?

A4. The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on the type of training program that you choose to enroll in and how quickly you can complete it. Generally speaking, most professional training programs take anywhere from 8-12 weeks to complete depending on their individual requirements and curriculum structure.

Q5. How much does it cost to become certified as an Outreach Specialist?

A5. The cost of becoming certified as an Outreach Specialist varies depending on the type of training program that you choose to enroll in and what fees they charge for tuition and materials; however, most professional training programs cost between $1,000-2,000 USD for the entire course of study including all fees associated with taking the certification exam upon completion of the coursework