Digital Media Studies Degree

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Studies

Digital media have become pervasive in the contemporary world and continue to develop at a rapid pace. Digital literacy is no longer optional in the 21st Century! Virtually all human endeavors are experiencing digitally evolving forms, and are increasingly dependent upon digital technology. Companies of all sizes, major industries, and not-for-profit organizations need creative, digital specialists. Fashioning messaging, supporting marketing efforts and managing social media are just some of the present and future needs for digital experts. The central challenge is to provide an education that lays a foundation for continued evolution and growth in the field as digital media continue to emerge

The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Studies is a 54 credit major that prepares students for careers in digital communications, web design, social media applications, and digital production. Interdisciplinary in nature, the major enables students to exercise their creativity and develop the technical knowledge and skills that are necessary for the creation and dissemination of content via traditional and emerging media technologies. Students learn to take a concept from the initial stages of development to a finished product, such as a webpage, short film, or mixed media artwork. The program is organized around the competencies and types of literacy students must possess to flourish in the rapidly evolving field of digital media studies

Each student’s program of study is tailored to meet individual career goals and objectives. Drawing upon courses spanning Art, Business, Communications, Computer Information Systems, English and Management; students are provided the core knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary to engage the aesthetic, cultural, and technical dimensions of constructing and interpreting works that employ digital media. The major in Digital Media Studies prepares students to enter careers in media, government agencies, education, public interest groups, and private industries that require the development, implementation, application and management of digital media as they evolve.

Student learning outcomes for the program are as follows:

  • Possess the oral, written, and media communication skills necessary to create substantive, professional multimedia works. (Oral, written, and media communication literacy)
  • Demonstrate an awareness of, and ability to use digital technologies and software to create and distribute multimedia content. (Computer information systems literacy)
  • Know and understand core concepts and current issues in the study of media, culture, and communication. (Media literacy in the context of cultural studies)
  • Be conversant in the primary scholarly work addressing the intersection of media, culture and communication fields. (Media literacy in the context of cultural studies)
  • Understand core principles pertaining to promotion, advertising, and social networking using digital media. (Promotional literacy)
  • Understand the basic principles of project management. (Management literacy)
  • Possess the ability to create a professional-quality finished product in an area of focus.

Career Directions For Those Majoring In Digital Media Studies

The major in Digital Media Studies prepares students to enter careers in media, government agencies, education, public interest groups, and private industries that require the development, implementation, application and management of digital media as they evolve. Emphasis is placed on the development of core competencies that will enable students to adapt as technology changes. Students also are prepared to pursue advanced study in the field.

Program Of Study (54 Credits)

Oral Literacy: (3 credits from the following)

CO 141 Speech Communications (Level A)

CO 239 Broadcast Announcing

Writing Literacy: (6 credits from the following)

CO 151 Writing for the Mass Media

CO 250 Broadcast Writing

CO 240 Screenwriting

EN 143 Creative Writing

BE 135 Business Communications

CO 365 Writing for Interactive Media

Media Literacy: (15 credits from the following)

CO 125 Digital Audio Recording and Editing

AR 114 Graphic Design I

AR 201 Introduction to Computer Art

AR 214 Graphic Design II

AR 314 Advanced Graphic Design I

AR 315 Advanced Graphic Design II

AR 335 Digital Photography I

AR 336 Digital Photography II

CO 229 Introduction to Digital Communications

CO 237 Photojournalism

CO 242 Electronic Field Production

CO 251 Film and Video Production

CIS 301 Technology and the Arts

Computer Literacy: (6 credits from the following)

CIS 230 Scripting and the Web

CIS 325 Data Communications

CIS 382 Computer Networks

CIS 383 HTML and Web Publishing

CIS 385 Cybersecurity

Promotional Literacy: (3 credits from the following)

CIS 387 Electronic Commerce

CO 230 Internet Marketing and Advertising

MG 231 Principles of Marketing

Management Literacy: (3 credits from the following)

MG 131 Principles of Management

MG 228 International Business Management

CO 301 Organizational Communications

MG 340 Project Management

AM 111 Arts Management

Courses in Area of Focus (12 credits)

To be determined in consultation with Program Director

Capstone and Internship

DM 391 Digital Media Studies Capstone (new course) (3 credits)

DM 380 Internship (3 credits)