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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Visual Communication, Digital and Media Arts (VCDMA)- Digital Media Arts Concentration, BS (DMA)
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 Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
The Digital Media Arts (DMA) concentration prepares students for careers in the visual arts and exhibition by integrating digital media and technology with traditional art-making and research practices. Students explore and combine various disciplines such as multimedia, experimental design, drawing, illustration, painting, sculpture, video, photography, and installation within the context of visual communication and new media.
This concentration is ideal for students with a background in traditional media, such as painting and who wish to expand their practice into digital art, new media, mixed media, and video. It also serves students who are not primarily interested in careers in graphic design (e.g., print and web), but are drawn to research-driven practices that combine art-making, technology, digital media and critical exploration.
The objective of this concentration is to prepare students for professional careers as visual artists, with an emphasis on digital media, museum/gallery exhibitions, and interdisciplinary art practices.
Expected Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of coursework, portfolio reviews, exhibitions, internships, and senior thesis projects, graduates will be able to:
- Apply advanced visual language: Utilize elements and principles of visual design to create original, conceptually grounded, and aesthetically unified works of fine art and multimedia digital content, particularly within gallery and museum contexts.
- Demonstrate mastery of spatial design and composition: Work across 2D, 3D, and time-based media while incorporating interdisciplinary research and cross-platform design thinking.
- Exhibit technical proficiency; Operate a broad range of traditional and digital media tools, including industry-standard software for image manipulation, interactive media, and multimedia production, while employing effective, innovative problem-solving techniques.
- Integrate traditional and digital practices: Produce a cohesive and critically informed body of work suitable for exhibition, publication, or digital distribution.
- Apply professional and entrepreneurial practices: Demonstrate knowledge of business models, intellectual property, contracts, and strategies for creating, presenting, and promoting creative work in the arts and creative industries.
- Prepare a professional portfolio: Develop and present a competitive portfolio and résumé that support entry into careers in digital media arts or admission to graduate study, including the documentation of creative work, artist statements, and presentation strategies.
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General Education and Institutional Requirements
See the full list of University General Education and Institutional Requirements and BSU website/catalog for all options and any updates. English Composition (6 semester hours)
Arts and Humanities (6 semester hours)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 semester hours)
Science (7-8 semester hours; at least one of which shall be a laboratory course)
• ____ ___ Science Elective 3/4 Credits • ____ ___ Science Elective w/laboratory course 4 Credits Mathematics (3 semester hours)
Technology (3 semester hours)
Institutional Requirements (6 semester hours)
Free General Education Electives (9 Semester Hours)
Selected courses chosen from any category within the General Education Course List. See advisor and refer to catalog for approved courses. Total General Education Requirements: 46 - 48 semester hours
All Fine Arts, Theatre Arts and VCDMA majors in the DFPA must pass all major courses (ART, ENGL, VCDM, THEA, COMM, MGMT, MKTG, MUSC & THEA as applicable) w/grade of “C” or better; maintain a 2.0 GPA in major *Transfer students bringing in 12 credits or more can substitute the Freshman Seminar requirement with another (3) credit course not being used DPFA Requirements
See the full list of University General Education and Institutional Requirements for all options. Note:
All VCDMA majors must pass all major courses (ART, ENGL, VCDM, THEA, MGMT, MKTG, MUSC & THEA) w/grade of “C” or better; maintain a 2.0 GPA in majorVCDMA Foundation Requirements
VCDMA Portfolio Reviews, Internship and Senior Thesis Requirements
ART/VCDM History Requirements
Choose any (4) four courses, see where indicated for concentration; 12 credits total ENGL (3rd) required course from LLC (200/300 level), 3 credits needed:
Suggested Additional Coursework (Not Required)
Digital Media Arts Concentration (DMA)
First Semester (15 Credits)
Second Semester (15 Credits)
First Semester (15 Credits)
- VCDM 230 - Introduction to Computer Graphics 3 Credits
- ART 311 - Sculpture (Carving) 3 Credits OR 310 - Sculpture (Carving) 3 Credits
ENGL ____ Other 200/300 English Course 3 Credits choose one (210, 213, 239, 250, 253, 254, 256, 261, 265, 283, 333 or 361)
MATH 118 Finite Mathematics or MATH 125/127 3 Credits (choose one) - COMM 101 - Oral Communication 3 Credits
or - COMM 103 - Public Speaking 3 Credits
Second Semester (16 Credits)
First Semester (15 Credits)
Second Semester (15 Credits)
First Semester (15 Credits)
Second Semester (14 - 16 Credits)
- VCDM 408 - Visual Culture 3 Credits
- VCDM 470 - Self Promotion and Marketing for the Arts 3 Credits
- VCDM 491 - Internship in Art and Visual Communication 1 Credits
- ART/VCDM Elective #2 300/400 Choose one/other as approved by and in consultation with Advisor *Suggested ART, 342, 353, 352; VCDM 315, 361, 392, 395, 397, 410, 451, 475, 496 or 499 (choose one) - 3 Credit
- MUSC 345, 409 or other -3 Credits
- *VCDM 498 Senior Exhibition and Thesis - 1-3 Credits
- ***VCDM 419 Portfolio Review & Assessment II (2nd Review) Pass/Fail - 0 credits
- VCDM 498 - Senior Thesis & Exhibition 1 - 3 Credits
- VCDM 419 - Portfolio & Assessment II 0 Credits
Note:
**VCDM 498 requires prior approval. Students must begin their senior thesis body of work in their junior year and after approval of the senior thesis proposal (VCDM 219) and completion of other required courses in concentration as well as all foundation courses. This work is due the semester before graduation and must be successfully completed, reviewed, and approved by faculty a min. of (1) one semester before a student will be allowed to take VCDM 498 Senior Thesis Exhibition. See Senior Thesis requirements.
***Students must maintain and submit a final portfolio and successfully pass both the 1st and 2nd portfolio review/assessment (VCDM 219 & 419) in the VCDMA major. In addition, they must submit a senior thesis proposal, min. 2 pages, typed with sketches, references, storyboards, etc. See Advisor or Program Coordinator for details and the portfolio review form. Must be reviewed and approved by the VCDMA coordinator and FT faculty (3 min.)
*** VCDM 419 Portfolio Review & Assessment II: This required review is based on a student’s area of concentration and should demonstrated an advanced area of skill and advanced work from 300/400 upper-level studio courses and more. 10-20 works minimum with a focus in a concentration under VCDMA is required. A successful portfolio is a requirement for graduation.
Graduation checklist
Students should check off and complete for all concentrations (all must be completed) including courses and requirements above and/or successfully passed and approved by a faculty advisor and/or Program Coordinator.
____ Completion of all foundation and lower-level ART/VCDM courses
____ Passing all major/concentration courses in sequence, with a “C” (2.0) GPA or better; last 30 credits at BSU
____ 1st Required Faculty Portfolio Review (VCDM 219 passed); Y | N When:
____ Senior thesis proposal and sketches, storyboards, etc. (typed and approved) Y | N
____ Senior thesis proposal exhibition; passing of VCDM 498 Senior Thesis Exhibition course
____ 2nd Required Faculty Portfolio Review (VCDM 419 passed); Y | N When:
____ Internship/Apprenticeship (s) and VCDM 491 Internship course. Where/When:
TOTAL: 120-122 CREDITS
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Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
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