The 120-credit Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Digital Media Arts are designed for students pursuing careers in the digital media arts and design-related fields.

The B.A./B.S. in Digital Media Arts includes a set of required courses that all students must take, along with SUNY General Education and other academic requirements, in order to be eligible to receive a degree. The required courses for programs in Digital Media Arts can be found on the “Program Details” tab. Students should speak with their mentor to see if any credit earned through Individualized Credit for Prior Learning (iCPL) or Professional Learning Evaluation (PLE) might fulfill these course requirements. Courses are offered online, through independent studies, or through a blended approach. 

This flexible program of study integrates both theory and practice into the design and development of digital media art. Students will critically evaluate digital media content and examine the ethical considerations of creating and designing with digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). They will explore the historical, cultural, political, and societal contexts of digital media art and design, considering how AI is influencing creative processes.

This program prepares students to be individual and collaborative producers of digital media, working with digital images, digital stories, graphic design, information design, web design, multimedia production, media art, animation, and digital art. Students will also examine the implications of AI-generated content and its role in design, authorship, and originality.

The program culminates in a digital media capstone experience based on individual student interests, preparing learners to produce a substantial digital media project and/or digital portfolio. Students who complete the B.A. or B.S. in Digital Media Arts will be equipped for career paths that require expertise in evaluating, producing, and designing digital media content with emerging technologies, including AI where applicable. Graduates from this program will pursue careers such as graphic designers, media writers, visual artists, photographers, information designers, art directors, animators, filmmakers, digital storytellers, game developers, and web designers.

For more information about general undergraduate degree requirements, please visit Earning an Undergraduate Degree.

Program Details

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Lower Level Core Courses
ARTS 1140	Media and Visual Literacy	4
ARTS 1065	Introduction to Drawing	4
ARTS 2035	Diversity in the United States Arts	4
COMM 2010	Writing for Digital Media	4
DIGA 1010	Digital Art & Design: Introductory	4
INFT 1005	Introduction to Web Publishing	4
or PHOT 2010	The Photographic Vision
Advanced Level Core Courses
ARTS 3025	Advanced Drawing	4
or ARTS 3135	Illustration
DIGA 3035	Digital Art & Design: Advanced	4
DIGA 3036	Ethics of Digital Art & Design	4
DIGA 3040	Digital Storytelling	4
DIGA 3050	Information Design	4
DIGA 3065	Digital Media Arts	4
DIGA 4015	History & Theory of New Media	4
DIGA 4999	Capstone in Digital Media Arts	4
Two Advanced Level Electives		8
Total Credits		64

Advanced Level Electives

Students will be asked to complete two additional advanced level courses chosen from the list below in consultation with a faculty mentor. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ARTS 3035	Advanced Graphic Design	4
ARTS 3075	Arts Management	4
DIGA 3015	Advanced Digital Photography	4
DIGA 3025	Advanced Web Design	4
DIGA 3045	Game Design & Development	4
DIGA 3080	Digital Painting	4

Learning Outcomes

Students completing a Digital Media Arts degree will be able to:

• Analyze the artistic theory of digital media in relation to art practice.
• Discuss the historical, cultural, political, and societal contexts for digital media arts.
• Apply the ethical considerations of digital media arts.
• Evaluate digital media content for authenticity and reliability.
• Describe the artistic practice of digital media art and artists.
• Design with an understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Produce individual and collaborative digital media art and design projects.