You might consider digital media degrees if you are interested in learning how to use visual communication to convey messages across a wide variety of platforms.
Students pursuing their digital media bachelors degree learn how to take designs from concept to creation across all types of visual mediums.
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Given almost every business has an online presence now, careers in the digital media field continue to grow, and individuals with this unique skill set are in high demand.
Online Bachelors in Digital Media Degrees
Degrees in digital media are ideal for students who want to use visual communication and design to relay a message, tell a story, or enhance an experience.
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Digital media programs combine the art of design with technology to solve problems, make new products, market and advertise existing products, and enhance aesthetics.
Digital media majors can develop their skills in a variety of areas, such as:
- Writing and editing
- Video and film production
- Marketing and branding
- Fundamentals of design
- Communication
- Graphic design
- Digital illustration
- Computer and industry software knowledge
Some programs may allow you to choose courses based on your career interest, including web development, web design, digital content, game design, and visual design.
Digital media majors go on to pursue careers in a variety of fields, such as software development, web design and development, video and film production, app development, and video game design. Graduates interested in marketing can pursue branding, advertising, content management, and social media management opportunities.
A number of universities also offer programs leading to a masters in digital marketing online or on campus for those wishing to advance their skills specifically in this area. Careers in digital media cover a wide range of interests, and digital media professionals continue to be in demand.
Communications and Digital Media Careers & Salaries
Graduates who earn their online digital media degrees are often prepared for a wide range of careers as visual communications professionals.
Many graduates pursue opportunities in fields like graphic design, software development, web development, marketing and advertising, game design, and film production. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, below are the median wages of some careers related to communications and digital media.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Art Directors | $100,890 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $79,890 |
| Producers and Directors | $79,000 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $78,790 |
| Web Developers | $77,030 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $63,920 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $62,800 |
| Film and Video Editors | $62,680 |
| Graphic Designers | $50,710 |
| Desktop Publishers | $46,910 |
Careers available to digital media professionals can include special effects artists and animators, multimedia artists, video editors, graphic designers, magazine designers, and web developers.
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Whether you are interested in using computers and technology for design or prefer to work with print materials, photography, and video, there are positions for you. Graduates interested in marketing, branding, and advertising may explore careers as content managers, brand strategists, social media specialists, or paid search specialists.
Bachelor of Digital Media Curriculum & Courses
While your specific courses will vary based on the program you enroll in, below are some common courses you may take as you earn your digital media bachelors degree:
- History of Media: In this course, you’ll study the growth and development of media, focusing on historical changes in politics, society, and economics.
- Web Design: This course introduces you to the fundamentals of web development—including the use of HTML and CSS—and graphic creation for interactive media.
- Introduction to Digital Media: Students in this course are introduced to the tools and technologies needed in graphic design, including industry-standard software.
- Media in Society: This course explores the role and impact of media on individuals, society, and American democracy.
- Introduction to Motion Graphics: Students are introduced to the essential techniques and principles of motion graphics and animation as visual communication.
- Visual Communication: In this course, you’ll learn computer and digital techniques for visually presenting various types of information.
- Principles of Game Design: This course introduces you to the process of game and user experience design for entertainment and education.
- Video Production: Students in this course will learn video production techniques in the field, including news coverage and current affairs.
- Psychology of Design: In this course, you’ll study the psychology behind design choices and human behavior, including gaming, shopping, and social media.
- Graphic Design History: Students in this course will study graphic design history from ancient writing to the present, including key design movements and designers.
In addition to digital media major courses, bachelor programs require general education courses and a choice of general electives.
Admissions Requirements
While admissions criteria will vary by school, below are some common requirements for a digital media bachelor degree program:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Minimum GPA from high school
- Official transcripts from high school and any college transfer courses
- Application essay on a topic of the school’s choosing
In addition to these requirements, many schools ask you to complete an online application and pay an application fee. While some schools still want to see your SAT or ACT scores, a growing number of institutions no longer require them.
Accreditation
As you research degree programs in digital media, it’s beneficial to consider a school’s accreditation status as you narrow down your options.
In the accreditation process, a third-party accrediting organization verifies that a school’s educational programs and services meet agreed-upon standards. There are various types of accreditation, with regional accreditation being the most widely accepted.
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Your program’s accreditation status can potentially affect your career opportunities as well as your eligibility for graduate studies. To learn more, you can visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
While exploring options for online digital media degrees, you can also consider financial assistance opportunities that may be available to you.
Scholarship opportunities could be one option, as many schools, public organizations, and private institutions award scholarships to students who meet their specified qualifications. You can also look into funding that’s available through the state or federal government, including government-sponsored loans or grants. While any student loans you take out will need to be repaid, they are known for having lower interest rates.
You can visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn more about various aid options for undergraduate students.
What Is a Major in Digital Media?
A major in digital media is designed to provide students with the skills needed to design, create, and market content and messages across all types of media using various technological tools.
Digital media programs offer you the opportunity to develop skills in web development, visual design, and digital content, among others. You may also have the opportunity to develop communication, photography, design software, writing, editing, videography, marketing, and content management skills.
Graduates can apply these skills to pursue careers in a range of industries, such as web development, video editing, branding and marketing, communications, and graphic design.
Is Digital Media a Good Career?
Yes, digital media is a good career for many professionals. There’s a growing need for professionals who can design, market, and convey messages through visual media. Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in this field frequently pay above-average salaries.
Media and communication occupations overall are expected to see 6% job growth over the next ten years. If you’re interested in digital design, there are numerous career paths you can pursue, including web design, game design, special effects animation, and graphic design.
What Do You Learn in a Digital Media Online Degree?
Degrees in digital media provide students with a wide range of soft skills and technical skills that they can use to pursue careers in this field. For instance, students can develop and hone their graphic design, content management, marketing, and website design skills.
Some common courses included in a digital media degree program include:
- Digital photography
- Design research, theory, and process
- Digital illustration
- Marketing and digital media
- Newswriting
Your coursework can cover various digital media skills, including technical and computer skills, video production, web development and design, visual design, editing, writing, and content creation.
What Can I Do with a Digital Media Degree?
Graduates with a digital media degree often have a range of career paths to explore. Many graduates pursue opportunities in innovative areas, such as video game design, user interface or user experience design, software development, and web development and design.
There are also opportunities to be found in graphic design, advertising, app development, content management, and social media management. Other graduates pursue film or video production opportunities, including producing, editing, and directing films or video segments.
Others may choose to continue their education in a graduate program, such as an on-campus or online new media masters program.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Digital Media Degree?
The time needed to get a digital media bachelors degree will vary based on several factors, including your course schedule and enrollment status.
For students who follow a traditional 16-week semester and attend full-time, it typically takes 4 years to earn a bachelor’s in digital media. It may take less than 4 years for students who follow an 8 week semester and are continuously enrolled year-round, including during summer sessions.
On the other hand, part-time enrollment may extend the length of your program, though it can also add flexibility to your college experience.
What Jobs Can I Get with a Digital Media Degree?
The specific job opportunities that are available to you will vary based on many factors, including where you live, the current job market, your degree specialty, and your prior work experience.
One advantage of pursuing jobs with a digital media degree is the potential to find jobs you can do remotely, expanding where you can search for work. Many graduates find jobs in digital design, including graphic designers, special effects artists, and web designers or developers.
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Other graduates, especially those interested in video production, seek employment as film and video editors or producers and directors.
What’s the Difference Between Social Media vs. Digital Media Majors?
Here are some key distinctions between a bachelors in social media and a bachelors in digital media.
| Social Media Major | Digital Media Major |
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Social media is a type of digital media, with digital media encompassing almost all media methods.
What’s the Difference Between a Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Media vs. Graphic Design?
While graphic design majors and digital media majors both learn how to use visual communication to convey ideas, there are also some fundamental differences between them.
| Bachelor’s in Digital Media | Bachelor’s in Graphic Design |
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Digital media skills, and the ability to incorporate graphic design into digital media, are becoming increasingly important in today’s world.
Is a Bachelor Degree in Digital Media Worth It?
Yes, a bachelor degree in digital media is worth it for many students. Digital media majors are often able to develop versatile skill sets that they can use to pursue their preferred careers. Given that the digital world is always expanding, there is a growing need for individuals with the skills to enhance and curate the design of these spaces.
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Many digital design and visual communications roles are expected to see continued job growth. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that careers for web developers and digital designers will grow 23% over the next ten years, which is much faster than average.
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Digital Media Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Arizona State University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Literacy. The program requires the completion of 30 courses. Each course is 7.5 weeks long. Potential courses include Digital Media and Freedom of Expression in the 21st Century, Misinformation and Society, and Media Research Methods.
ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
California Baptist University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Digital Media. The curriculum is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills and learn how to work with professional tools and software. The program offers opportunities to participate in hands-on projects, build portfolios under faculty mentorship, and complete internships.
California Baptist University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Drake University offers a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in Digital Communication. The program is fully online and highly customizable. There are no scheduled class meetings, making it easier to fit into busy schedules.
Drake University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Gulf Coast State College offers a BAS in Digital Media that can typically be earned in 4 years. Potential courses include Digital Production Studio I and II, Legal and Ethical Issues, Interactive Media Design, and Agile Project Management. Courses are available in evening, online, and hybrid formats.
Gulf Coast State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Hilbert College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media and Communication. The program aims to provide an engaging online community with small classes taught by instructors who have real-world industry experience. Potential courses include Introduction to Mass Media, Multimedia Production I and II, and Media Analysis.
Hilbert College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Indiana University offers a BS in Digital Media and Storytelling that can be completed 100% online. The program offers two specializations: Public Relations and Digital Storytelling. Potential courses include Digital Responsibilities and Rights, Communications Law, Technical Report Writing, and Digital Art: Survey and Practice.
Indiana University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Indiana Wesleyan University offers an online program for a BS in Marketing with a specialization in Digital Media Business Strategies. This flexible program aims to help students develop their creativity and business knowledge. Courses are taught from a biblical perspective. Potential courses include Foundations of Marketing, Social Media Business Strategies, and Statistics for Marketers.
Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Johnson & Wales University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing and Social Media. Most courses are 8 weeks long, and it typically takes 4 years to graduate. The student-to-faculty ratio is just 15-to-1. The program’s instructors have years of professional experience in the industry.
JWU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Kansas State University offers an online program for a Bachelor’s in Digital Innovation in Media. The curriculum is designed to teach marketing and technological knowledge. Potential courses include Digital Brand Strategy, Research for Advertising and Public Relations, and Data Structures and Algorithms. The program also requires participation in an apprenticeship during the junior year.
Kansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Liberty University offers a BS in Digital Design—Media Design that can typically be completed in 3.5 years. The program is available 100% online, with courses offered in 8 week blocks. It provides opportunities to gain hands-on experience and industry knowledge through participation in practicums and internships.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Maryville University offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Media that can be earned 100% online. The program allows students to study on their own schedules without ever having to come to campus. The curriculum teaches how to use Adobe tools, and students in the program create a professional portfolio under faculty guidance.
Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Minnesota State University—Moorhead offers a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Management. The program includes four emphasis options: Advertising and Public Relations, Project Management, Marketing, and Graphics. Classes may be taken online or in person. The curriculum is designed to develop technical expertise and business skills.
Minnesota State University Moorhead is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
National University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Design. Courses are just 4 weeks long, and the program offers year-round enrollment. Potential courses include History of Graphic Design, Digital Image Compositing, and Foundations of Digital Game Development. The completion of a portfolio and a final project are required to graduate.
National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
North Central University offers a Bachelor’s in Digital Media that can be earned online. The program offers access to online tutoring, academic success coaching, and virtual live chapel. Each course is 8 weeks long, and the degree may be completed at one’s own pace. The program includes internship opportunities and hands-on learning experiences.
North Central University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Northeastern University’s BS in Digital Communication and Media is available online and on campus. The curriculum emphasizes collaboration and experiential learning to help students build real-world workplace skills. Applicants can apply to begin in the fall, spring, or summer. Graduates often pursue careers in marketing, web development, and social media management.
Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Pennsylvania State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Journalism and Media that can be earned 100% online. Potential courses include Basic News Writing Skills, Survey of Electronic Media and Telecommunications, and Principles of Multimedia Journalism. The curriculum is highly customizable and encourages the development of journalistic and leadership skills.
The Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Southeastern University’s BS in Digital Media and Design program features tracks in Digital Design, Front End Development, and Back End Development. The program offers opportunities to gain hands-on experience using industry tools and software while creating projects that may be used in a professional portfolio. Internship and study abroad opportunities are also available.
Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Texas Tech University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media and Professional Communication. Classes can be taken completely online and at multiple campus locations. The curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are needed in many different industries.
Texas Tech University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Central Missouri offers a BS in Digital Media Production. The full program is available on campus in Warrensburg, and select courses are also available online and in a hybrid format. Emphasis options include Digital Journalism, Audio, Sport Reporting and Broadcasting, Digital Cinema, and Live Studio and Remote Production.
The University of Central Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Maryland Global Campus offers a Bachelor of Science in Web and Digital Design. All courses are available online, and select courses are also available in a hybrid format. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning and creativity. Three focus areas are offered: Web Design, Digital Design, and Augmented and Virtual Reality.
The University of Maryland Global Campus is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Getting Your Bachelors in Digital Media Degree Online
Earning your digital media bachelors degree can help prepare you for a professional career in visual communication. You might consider this path if you are interested in digital design, photography, print design and publication, video and film production, apps, software, or web development.
Many careers in this field pay higher than average salaries, with job growth expected to continue in the future. If you wish to enter the growing and innovative field of digital media, then you might consider looking into accredited schools that offer online digital media degrees.
The sooner you start exploring your online multimedia degree options, the sooner you might find the program that best suits your specific interests.
