About the Program

Who is this program for?

The Executive Program in Digital Media for Social Impact (DMSI) is a place for anyone seeking to better navigate the complex intersection of internet technologies and social justice. Plus, for students who want to continue their studies, their Certificate in Social Impact Strategy makes them eligible to complete the Master of Science (MS) in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) in an accelerated format. 

• It is for professionals working in mission-driven organizations who need tools and frameworks to achieve their digital outreach, membership, and fundraising goals.
• It is for activists seeking to harness digital media for accelerating their movements and mobilizing their communities.
• It is for tech and media professionals who want to use their skills and knowledge for positive change, but aren’t sure where to start.
• It is for anyone who wants to harness the power of media to drive change.

The Executive Program in Digital Media for Social Impact is a non-credit, non-degree, master’s level certificate program. At program completion, students will receive a signed certificate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice and the Annenberg School for Communication.

Program Goals and Highlights

The Executive Program in Digital Media for Social Impact combines emerging research on digital technologies and social change with practical applications, frameworks, and tools. 

You won’t just leave the program with an enhanced digital toolkit; you’ll also have a new understanding of the relationship between technology and social impact, developed in conversation with communication experts and fellow changemakers. Throughout the program, you will:

• Learn research-driven approaches to designing, launching, and evaluating digital outreach campaigns
• Develop a critical understanding of the affordances and limitations of digital technologies for social impact
• Cultivate your unique digital voice and audience
• Build a digital media approach capable of adapting with emerging technologies
• Connect with and learn alongside a diverse cohort of activists, professionals, and changemakers

The digital tools we use every day have the potential to take our social change goals from idea to implementation to impact. DMSI will help you build the critical knowledge and skills you need to make it happen.

Timeline

Over the course of five months — February to June of 2024 — you will take a minimum of five classes, join group discussions, and join virtual gatherings to develop, launch, and evaluate custom impact frameworks for your digital initiatives.

Here is a month-by-month breakdown of the program:

Features

Leading Scholars and Practitioners

Our instructors stand at the forefront of digital media research and practice. As platforms and technologies evolve and advance, there is no better time to learn from leading experts about the complex relationship between social media and social impact. 

Structured Learning

Fresh content is released every Sunday, so you can review it at any point during the week, on your own time. Weekly content includes video lectures, readings, applied assignments, and discussions that take 4-6 hours a week to complete.

Applied Assignments

Assignments invite you to integrate tools into your own work and discover new possibilities through case studies. Throughout the program, the teaching team will guide you through the process of developing a mission-driven digital media strategy for your existing organization or a new initiative.

Access to Community

Throughout the program, participate in group video calls for constructive feedback from a dedicated teaching team and your peers. Whether you’re feeling “stuck” or want to bounce around ideas, your colleagues are just a video call away.

Ivy League Education

Graduates receive an Ivy League education and a signed certificate from the University of Pennsylvania, a credential that’s known and respected around the world.

Deadlines & Tuition