Digital Media Arts

Major/Minor

5-year Program

Communication Arts Department

The interdisciplinary Digital Media Arts program provides a solid foundation in technology, a rich creative background in the arts, and the communication skills necessary to convey ideas in the digital realm. As media and business environments are increasingly dependent on digital communication competencies, our curriculum offers training for exciting careers in today's high-tech digital workplace.

Program Location

Main Campus

Online

Available Majors

Digital Media Arts

Through a series of electives, you can also choose to declare an emphasis in graphic design.

Available Minors

Digital Media Arts

Additional Study Options

5-Year Communications Dual-Degree Program: Earn both a BA in Digital Media Arts and a MA in Contemporary Communications from NDMU in just five years.

Four-Year Plan

Fall		Spring
First Year
NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education	4	Foreign Language	3
ENG-101	3	Literature	3
Foreign Language	3	COM-101 Oral Communication	3
ART-101 Drawing 1	3	ART-102 Color and Design	3
DMA-101 Graphic Design I	3	History	3
[15 credits]		[15 credits]
Second Year
Foreign Language	3	PHL-200-level	3
MAT-110 Discrete Mathematics	3	Social Science	3
RST-201 Intro to Biblical Studies	3	COM-310 Media Literacy	3
ART-162 Digital Photography	3	CST-260 Web Animation	3
DMA-201 Time-Based Media	3	DMA-253 GD Theory	3
[15 credits]		[15 credits]
Third Year
PHL-300/400-level	3	Religious Studies 300/400	3
Natural Science	4	General Electives/Minor	3
DMA-351 Graphic Design II	3	DMA-375 Typography	3
COM-210 Social Media	3	Major Elective	3
CST-261 Web Page Design	3	DMA-360 Motion Graphics	3
[16 credits]		[15 credits]
Fourth Year
Physical Education	1	4 General Electives/Minor	9
4 General Electives/Minor	12	DMA-461 Practicum	3
[13 credits]		[12 credits]

Five-Year Communications Dual Degree

Students accepted into the Dual-Degree Communications program complete at least 90 credits of the BA in three years, and then begin the MA coursework during the fourth year, while simultaneously completing the requirements of the BA. The master’s degree is completed in the fifth year.

Sample 5-Year Plan

Fall		Spring
First Year
NDMU-100	4	ART-102	3
DMA-101	3	ART-162	3
Art-101	3	Gen Ed	9
Gen Ed	6
Second Year
DMA-201	3	COM-310	3
COM-210	3	CST-260	3
Gen Ed	9	Gen Ed	9
Third Year
CST-261	3	DMA-461	3
Gen Ed	12	DMA-360	3
		Gen Ed	9
Fourth Year
IDS-510	3	CST-515	3
COM/CST Elective 1	3	COM/CST Elective 3	3
COM/CST Elective 2	3	Grad Elective 1	3
Undergrad Electives	6	Undergrad Electives	6
Fifth Year
COM/CST Elective 4	3	COM/CST Elective 6	3
COM/CST Elective 5	3	Grad Elective 3	3
Grad Elective 2	3	Grad Elective 4	3

http://catalog.ndm.edu/undergraduate-catalog/school-of-arts-and-sciences/digital-media-arts

What to Expect Studying at ��

Small class sizes offer personal attention while challenging, yet flexible, assignments using a wide variety of hardware and software tools enhance the student experience. An emphasis on collaboration rather than competition creates a supportive environment for peer critiques.

Student Outcomes

After completing the program, you will be able to:

Create effective visual communications strategies that could assist individuals and businesses;
Use technology to address visual communication challenges;
Analyze the historical impact design and visual communications have had on our culture;
Evaluate the moral and ethical issues related to visual media, art, and technology;
Apply formal design principles to solve visual communication problems; and
Work effectively as an individual and as a member of a creative team.

Woman poses holding white flowers next to her head

Alum

Cassidy Toulan

The Right Combination

Alum, NDMU Class of 2017

Art Major, Digital Media Arts

Cassidy is a perfect example of aligning your education to your interests and goals. She studied Art at NDMU with an emphasis in Photography and also earned a minor in Digital Media Arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design. The result was a very well-rounded education with marketable skills. Cassidy currently works as a Graphic Designer and Photographer at iHeartMedia in Baltimore, MD. She also runs an independent photography business specializing in portraiture, Cassidy Toulan Photography.

Research & Internship Opportunities

A capstone practicum course includes a semester-long professional internship, which greatly increases employability.