Communication and Media, Digital Media Specialization, BA

digital media

This specialization prepares students for careers in radio, television, broadcast news, audio/video production, graphic design, and interactive media/Web development. Job roles include broadcast station manager, technical director, videographer, radio announcer, video producer, graphic designer, animator, and Web developer. This curricular specialization includes learning experiences in media production, script writing, studio operations, special effects and animation, motion media history, and documentary.

Requirements for the Major (13 courses/39 credit hours)

A. Introductory Courses:
All Communication and Media majors, and Digital Media specialization majors are required to take the following four courses, normally completed by the end of sophomore year:

CM 201- Media Writing
CM 202- Digital Tools
CM 203- Introduction to Communication
CM 308- Multimedia Storytelling

Note: If a student adds another specialization, especially advertising/public relations, they will need to take CM307: Fundamentals of Advertising & Public Relations as 5th introductory course.

B. Intermediate Courses:

Majors must take a combination of eight 300- and 400-level communication courses, one of which must be a diversity-Justice (DJ) designated communication and media course, and at least three courses in Digital Media specialization. Majors may choose a second specialization.

B.1: Specialization Courses (3 courses/9 credit hours): Students specializing in Digital Media can select three courses from the following options:

CM 303- Media Ethics
CM 312- Web I
CM 315- History of Graphic Design
CM 321- Mobile Media & UX Design
CM 322- Graphics I
CM 324- Video I
CM 333- Backpack Video Production
CM 351- Introduction to Radio and Digital Audio
CM 352- Graphics II
CM 353- Video II
CM 360- Digital Mixed Media
CM 365- Podcasting and Long-Form Digital Audio
CM 371- Web II
CM 372- Studio Television Production
CM 374- Documentary Production
CM 375- Animation and Motion Graphics
CM 378- Studio Lighting
CM 388- Book Design and Production
CM 390- Creative Media Producing

B.2: CM Elective Courses (5 courses/15 credit hours):

Communication and Media majors with one specialization need to take five 300-level CM courses from any area of specialization (including more courses from their area of specialization). Also, a 3-credit internship course (CM420) can be counted as an elective (students are allowed to use a maximum 6 credit hours for internship).

Students pursuing a double specialization in communication and media may need to take 1 – 2 CM elective course. Students with journalism and Ad/PR will need to complete 2 CM elective courses. Students with Digital Media and Ad/PR or journalism specializations will need to complete only 1 CM elective course.

C. Senior Capstone Course: Students must take one senior capstone course in the Digital Media specialization for which all prerequisites are met.

CM 401- Senior Capstone in Digital Media

Note: CM majors with a double specialization may have more capstone options, especially CM400: Senior Capstone in Multimedia Journalism, CM401: Senior Capstone in Digital Media, CM403: Senior Capstone in Advertising , or CM404: Senior Capstone in Public Relations.