This program is perfect for

  • Entry- to mid-level professionals in marketing, branding, communications, and related fields who want to strengthen their skills in content strategy, campaign development, and digital marketing communications
  • Career changers or early-career professionals aiming to break into content marketing, social media, or integrated marketing roles
  • Marketers and communicators seeking to leverage AI tools and data-driven insights to improve campaign performance

Content. AI. Campaigns. Master it all.

The Content Marketing and Campaigns Specialization prepares marketing professionals to plan, create, and optimize content across digital and social channels. Students will learn how to create effective content marketing that increases brand visibility, engages audiences, and drives measurable business results.

Data-informed campaign planning

In today’s AI-driven landscape, marketers must combine content strategy, storytelling, and data-informed campaign planning to stay competitive. This program teaches you how to:

  • develop targeted content that connects with your audience,
  • distribute it effectively, and
  • continuously optimize performance across platforms.

Build integrated marketing campaigns

You will leverage AI tools for content creation and workflow efficiency, and align messaging across channels to deliver consistent brand experiences.

Through hands-on coursework, you’ll gain practical experience executing campaigns, improving engagement, and supporting brand growth using modern digital marketing strategies.

Program learning outcomes

  • Develop compelling content strategies for digital and social channels
  • Leverage AI-enabled tools to support content creation and distribution
  • Plan and execute integrated marketing campaigns that build brand and customer engagement

What makes a great content marketing campaign?

A great content marketing campaign isn’t just creative—it’s strategic, targeted, and measurable. The best campaigns consistently connect with the right audience and drive clear business outcomes.

Badge for Content Marketing and Campaigns Specialization from UCSC Extension

Courses

Program Requirements

  • Complete three required courses | 6 units.
  • End with Certificate of Completion Review.
1. Prerequisite(s):
Title units Fall Spring Summer Winter
Customer-Driven Marketing: Principles and Practice 2.0 Live-Online
2. Required Course(s): Complete three courses
Title units Fall Spring Summer Winter
Strategic Digital Marketing & Integrated Campaign Planning 2.0 Flexible
AI Applications and Tools for Marketers 2.0 Flexible
AI Tools for PR, Media, and Campaign Communications 2.0 Flexible
3. Completion Review:
Title units Fall Spring Summer Winter
Specialization in Content Marketing and Campaigns Completion Fee

1. Prerequisite(s):

MKTG.X400
$700
  • Live-Online Attend via Zoom at scheduled times.
Schedule
Date Start Time End Time Meeting Type Location
Tue, 03-31-2026 5:30pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Tue, 04-07-2026 5:30pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Tue, 04-14-2026 5:30pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Tue, 04-21-2026 5:30pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Tue, 04-28-2026 5:30pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Tue, 05-05-2026 5:30pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
 

Students may still enroll if they missed the 1st class session. However, they need to communicate with the instructor via Canvas and catch up on all missed work prior to the 2nd class meeting.

3/30/26: Course format change. See full schedule for details.

This class is offered in an online synchronous format. Students are expected to log into this course via Canvas at the start time of scheduled meetings and participate via Zoom, for the duration of each scheduled class meeting.

IMPORTANT: STUDENTS MUST ATTEND AND FULLY PARTICIPATE IN A MINIMUM OF FIVE OF THE SIX CLASS SESSIONS.

To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.

You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.

Required Textbook: Principles of Marketing, Philip Kotler and Gary Armstrong, 19th edition, 2023, Pearson, ISBN: 9780137864898 (hardcover). 

Please use this edition for most recent updates. Note the publisher offers an eTextbook. (https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/principles-of-marketing…)

The 18th edition is acceptable. However, please note that the lecture is based on the 19th edition.

Spring

2. Required Course(s): Complete three courses

MKTG.X419
$650
  • Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
Schedule
Date Start Time End Time Meeting Type Location
Mon, 06-29-2026 5:30pm 9:30pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Mon, 07-06-2026 5:30pm 9:30pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Mon, 07-13-2026 5:30pm 9:30pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Mon, 07-20-2026 5:30pm 9:30pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Mon, 07-27-2026 5:30pm 9:30pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
 

This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.

To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.

You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.

Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop / tablet to each class meeting.

||

Prerequisites / Skills Needed

Prerequisites:

  • MKTG.X400: Customer-Driven Marketing: Principles and Practice

Skills Needed:

  • MKTG.X400 - Customer-Driven Marketing: Principles and Practice
Summer
MKTG.X420
$700 (Estimated Cost)
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Spring
MKTG.X402
$650 (Estimated Cost)
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Winter

3. Completion Review:

O-CE0536
$50
Schedule
 

Please enroll in the Content Marketing and Campaigns Completion Fee only when all of the specialization requirements have been met and your final grades are posted.

Grade Requirements

Please note that only letter grades of C or higher may be applied to a certificate, and in some programs, students may have more stringent requirements. Students in most employer- and government-sponsored payment programs, such as workforce development, as well as international students on F-1 visas, need to maintain a B average to meet their requirements.

See Grading and Credits Policy for further information.

Program Chair
Bouwien Luppes

The response from my fellow students was so enthusiastic that I had to think more in depth. It evolved. Every course demands that you think in a certain way. Every course took me a step further.

Bouwien Luppes,
Art Entrepreneur and Marketer
student Sean Zaidman

It’s great to have a teacher with so much experience. She was able to take what's in the book and apply it to real-world examples. It helped translate the education into what I would need in my everyday work.

Sean Zaidman,
Director, Communications and Marketing, Five Branches
woman smiling at the camera

The UCSC certificate really improved my resume and made recruiters more confident I could be a better fit for their company. After completing my certificate, I got two job offers.

Eliana Silva
Demo