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Digital and Media Studies

Bachelor of Arts (or Minor)

The Bachelor of Arts in Digital and Media Studies (DMS) program blends creative production, design, and critical analysis to prepare students for adaptable careers in digital communication and content creation. Through hands-on courses in video, audio, web design, animation, and storytelling, students develop strong practical skills for today’s digital environments. In addition, the program integrates theory and writing to deepen students’ ability to think critically, interpret technologies, and navigate the complexities of contemporary communication landscapes.

Through a flexible curriculum customized to each student’s interests, DMS majors choose their specialization, complete an internship, gain hands-on real-world experience, and prepare a professional portfolio representing their work.
As a DMS major, you will:
The Bachelor of Arts in Digital and Media Studies prepares graduates to pursue creative, technological, and practical jobs:

Plan of Study

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN DIGITAL AND MEDIA STUDIES

Total credit hours: 120

Required foundation courses: 9 hours
DMS 300  Introduction to Digital & Media Studies
DMS 303  Intro to Time-Based Media
DMS 305  Intro to Graphic Design
Three of the following methods courses (9 hours):
DMS 350 Critical Discourse Analysis
ENG 351  Media Writing
ENG 352  Professional Writing
ENG 353  Digital Storytelling
ENG 354  Technology & Culture
ENG 355  Image & Screen Studies
Required studio courses (12 hours):
DMS 430  Web Design
DMS 431  Video Production
DMS 432  Audio Production
DMS 433  Animation & Interactive Media Production
ENG/DMS 360  Internship
DMS 490  Media Production Capstone*
*Capstone allows students to create a project using their skills to generate a portfolio for future employers/graduate admissions and showcase their work in their chosen profession.
Internships:
Gain essential real-world experience through the required internship. Students from the Digital & Media Studies program have gained internships with the Country Music Awards Association, WGTE Public Media, Toledo Mud Hens, and Buckeye Cable Sports Network. Work with your advisor to identify the internship position that best meets your career aspirations.
Job Outlook:
Graduates of the DMS program enter a dynamic job market where demand for digital content creators, media designers and producers, and communications specialists continues to grow. With strong technical skills, creative abilities, and critical analysis competence, students are well prepared to navigate both traditional and emerging roles in media.

DIGITAL AND MEDIA STUDIES MINOR

Total credit hours: 17-18

Introduction Course:
DMS 300 – Introduction to Digital and Media Studies

Methods Courses: 
Two of the following:
ENG 351 – Media Writing
ENG 354 – Technology and Culture
DMS 350 – Critical Discourse Analysis

Code Path: 
(5-6 credits total)
DMS 380 Beginning Markup
DMS 381 Intermediate Markup
DMS 382 Advanced Markup
DMS 383 Beginning Programming
DMS 384 Intermediate Programming
DMS 385 Advanced Programming

Internships* 3
ENG 360 – Writing Internship
DMS 360 – Media Production Internship

*Internships from other academic departments may apply on recommendation of English Department chair.

Learning Outcomes

In addition to achieving the designated outcomes of the core minor field the following outcomes are also met.

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in multiple coding languages.
  2. Employ design techniques and digital technologies to create verbal and visual arguments.
  3. Analyze and evaluate interactions between technology and culture.
  4. Produce digital texts that demonstrate technology skills for collecting, organizing, presenting, and analyzing information.
  5. Synthesize core minor field knowledge and technical skills to create an original digital project.

Internships

Gain essential real-world experience through the required internship. As a Digital and Media Studies major, you can choose from several options, including a Digital Media Production Internship with Buckeye Broadband and a Digitation Internship with the Toledo Lucas County Public Library. Work with your advisor to identify the internship position that best meets your career aspirations.

Job Outlook

For students interested in further study in Digital Humanities, Library and Information Science, Instruction Design, or Master’s level programs in a humanities content area, a core humanities minor is recommended.

For students looking to join the workforce after graduation in such areas as web content developer/SEO, social media marketing, technical writing, editing, a core marketing minor is recommended.

Because of the reasonable credit hour threshold for the major, students can easily complete a minor in addition to this program which would allow for both humanities study and marketing or some combination of humanities minors, further increasing students’ skill set.

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Above stats provided by US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Digital and Media Studies Faculty

Kate Buetel

Katherine P. Beutel, Ph.D.

Provost, Accreditation Liaison Officer

Shawna Rushford Spence

Shawna Rushford-Spence, Ph.D.

Chair, Associate Professor of English

Krysta Sá, M.F.A.

Krysta Sá, M.F.A.

Assistant Professor of Digital & Media Studies

Erin Szavuly

Erin Palmer Szavuly, M.F.A.

Chairperson of the Department of Art; Associate Professor of Art

Choose your path.

Get the digital media skills needed to thrive in today’s information-driven careers.

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