Arizona State University has recently unveiled a content creation bachelor's degree for the upcoming academic year, the latest school to do so as the influencer economy continues to boom.
The degree, under ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, is tailored to students wanting to learn how to build audiences, brands and careers online.
"Do you dream of monetizing your video channel or making social media your career? Learn to create powerful content across video, podcasts, social media and emerging platforms while building your brand," the program description states.
The degree will be available at ASU's Phoenix campus, ASU at Los Angeles and online. The start date is set for Oct. 14, 2026.
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The degree aims to teach students to become an "influencer" and "strategic storyteller who thrives in the rapidly evolving creator economy."
Students will learn content planning, video and podcast production, global perspectives and personal branding.
Moreover, pupils get the chance to gain hands-on experience with opportunities to take photography classes in Scotland and study social media in Tokyo.
"These trips add fresh settings and stories to your content while continuing to build your skills," according to the ASU website.
When students graduate, they'll be prepared for roles in content strategy, digital influencing, brand development, social media management and audience engagement across industries.
While the degree does not have a specific tuition cost, the base tuition for ASU is $12,177 a year in-state, according to the university's website.
GI Bill benefits do not currently apply to the degree.
The university details potential career paths for people who pursue the degree, which include communications specialist, marketing associate, marketing manager, public relations manager and public relations specialist.
ASU is not the only university in the country offering a content creation degree. St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, New York, about 70 miles from Buffalo, also has a Bachelor of Arts in Content Creation. The degree was announced in December 2025 and will welcome its first students in fall 2026.
The degree is part of the Jandoli School of Communication.
Influencers can make anywhere from $0 to stratospheric figures, depending on their reach and brand deals.
The job market for social media professionals is booming. Full-time digital creator jobs in the U.S. soared from 200,000 in 2020 to 1.5 million in 2024, according to an April 2025 report by the Interactive Advertising Bureau and Harvard Business School.
According to ASU, the creator economy is now valued at $500 billion globally and is expected to grow by roughly 23% a year through 2030.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: One university will soon let students major in content creation