Digital Media Certificate online
Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media
Application Deadline: March 30
Program Overview
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a filmmaker, video editor, or content producer?
In this program, you can build a foundation in digital design and visual storytelling. Working with our faculty, you will discover how to shoot and edit digital images and videos using Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After Effects, and produce high-quality video content for clients or social media platforms.
Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media students choose one of two tracks: Video and Motion Graphics or Filmmaking.
- Track 1: Video and Motion Graphics . Students develop an understanding of how to create vector graphics and animations using Adobe Illustrator and Animate.
- Track 2: Filmmaking. Students explore writing for the screen and learn how to apply cinematic techniques, including shot types, composition, and lighting, to a series of creative projects.
Sessions College programs are asynchronous, project-based, and instructor-led, which means you can earn a degree or certificate entirely online, working at your own pace, on your own schedule.
Mid-Term Classes. Looking to enter your Sessions College program next month? Check out our Mid-Term Classes for applicants accepted by February 2nd, 2025.
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April 27
"The industry rewards editors and artists who are skilled at communicating ideas and stories visually. Our program can help you grow into the digital artist or content creator you aspire to be.”
André Robert Lee
Department Head of Digital Media, Filmmaking Instructor
Program Curriculum
The Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media is a 24-credit online program completed in two semesters. Credit transfer and part-time schedules available.
First Semester
DES 121: Photoshop I - 3 Credits
Adobe Photoshop is the premiere image manipulation tool for print design, Web design, and photography. You can learn to tame this creative powerhouse of a program in this online Photoshop course. Working with a design pro, you’ll learn the best techniques for common Photoshop jobs including selecting and isolating objects, creating image composites, masking and vignetting images, setting typography, and improving images with retouching and effects. Photoshop I course syllabus
DES 106: Design Foundations - 3 Credits
Color is a fundamental medium for any artist or designer. Typography is what sets designers apart from other artists. Composition, literally the assembly or construction of elements, is the artful arrangement that guides the viewer's eye through an image. In this course, you will analyze everything from Grand Masters to Madison Avenue ads to tubes of toothpaste, and discover how color, type, and composition are combined to create effective and powerful visual communications. Class projects challenge you to build and apply your design skills in application to real-life creative scenarios. Design Foundations course syllabus
DIG 201: Digital Video Editing I - 3 Credits
Digital video is an exciting field, described by FaceBook CEO Mark Zuckerberg as a megatrend. In this online video editing course, you'll learn the art and craft of editing videos using Adobe Premier, or equivalent NLE program. Working with a pro digital artist, you'll learn time-honored concepts in editing, including shot types, story structure, scripting, editing sound, continuity editing, CODECs, adding text and graphics, compressing and expanding time, and storytelling strategies. Through a series of creative projects, you'll learn how to create polished movies for digital and social media applications. Digital Video Editing course syllabus
DES 141: Illustrator I - 3 Credits
Adobe Illustrator is a powerful and versatile tool for creating illustrations, logos, and graphics for print and the web. You can learn to produce detailed and scalable art in this online Illustrator course. Working with an expert instructor, you'll build a strong foundation, exploring shape tools, drawing tools, layers, the Pen tool (a lesson unto itself) as well as transformations/distortions, type tools, and modifying paths and shapes. Hands-on illustration projects include creating a robot, a series of album covers, a marketing postcard, an advertisement vehicle wrap, and a company logo. Illustrator I course syllabus
Second Semester
DIG 204: Digital Video Production - 3 Credits
Can you hear Sundance calling? In this online video production course, you'll learn the basics of planning and shooting videos. You'll learn how to control your video camera, execute different kinds of shots, and maintain continuity in your projects. Working with an expert instructor, you'll gain experience in shooting different kinds of videos, focusing on storytelling, production planning, and sound editing, with the ultimate goal of telling stories that move audiences. This course will empower you with the knowledge to tell compelling stories for news, corporate video, and social media. Digital Video Production course syllabus
FLM 201: Filmmaking for Digital Media - 3 Credits
This multi-faceted course will enhance your filmmaking and digital media skills with an emphasis on planning, producing, and distributing creative work through web-based applications and venues such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch (livestreaming). You will research, conceive, plan (using storyboards and other planning aids), and produce a variety of creative pieces by applying filmmaking principles such as storytelling, cinematography, directing, and editing to short-form digital media projects to distribute and stream through multiple web-based venues and channels. Filmmaking Concepts for Digital Media course syllabus
DIG 210: Animate I - 3 Credits
In this course you'll get a thorough, hands-on introduction to Animate, learning how to draw and import artwork, organize it using symbols and layers, and animate it using a range of techniques from basic tweening to frame-by-frame animation. Animation techniques you'll cover will include motion tweening, scaling and rotating objects, nested animations, animating objects on a path, masks, and lip syncing. You'll also master new techniques to make your animations more fluid and realistic. By the end of the course you will have created your own animated instructional or educational video. Animate I course syllabus
DIG 208: After Effects I - 3 Credits
Adobe After Effects is a powerful application for motion graphics and visual effects for film and video. After Effects is used for broadcast graphics, music videos, feature films, video rotoscoping, corporate presentations, and conferences. In this online After Effects course, you can study with a leading animator and learn how to use After Effects to create sophisticated motion graphics—using text and object animations, compositing videos and images, and adding audio and effects. You'll learn how to set keyframes on a timeline and work with transform properties, motion paths, masks, effects, and more. After Effects I course syllabus
First Semester
DES 121: Photoshop I - 3 Credits
Adobe Photoshop is the premiere image manipulation tool for print design, Web design, and photography. You can learn to tame this creative powerhouse of a program in this online Photoshop course. Working with a design pro, you’ll learn the best techniques for common Photoshop jobs including selecting and isolating objects, creating image composites, masking and vignetting images, setting typography, and improving images with retouching and effects. Photoshop I course syllabus
DES 106: Design Foundations - 3 Credits
Color is a fundamental medium for any artist or designer. Typography is what sets designers apart from other artists. Composition, literally the assembly or construction of elements, is the artful arrangement that guides the viewer's eye through an image. In this course, you will analyze everything from Grand Masters to Madison Avenue ads to tubes of toothpaste, and discover how color, type, and composition are combined to create effective and powerful visual communications. Class projects challenge you to build and apply your design skills in application to real-life creative scenarios. Design Foundations course syllabus
DIG 201: Digital Video Editing I - 3 Credits
Digital video is an exciting field, described by FaceBook CEO Mark Zuckerberg as a megatrend. In this online video editing course, you'll learn the art and craft of editing videos using Adobe Premier, or equivalent NLE program. Working with a pro digital artist, you'll learn time-honored concepts in editing, including shot types, story structure, scripting, editing sound, continuity editing, CODECs, adding text and graphics, compressing and expanding time, and storytelling strategies. Through a series of creative projects, you'll learn how to create polished movies for digital and social media applications. Digital Video Editing course syllabus
FLM 103: Screenwriting I - 3 Credits
Do you have what it takes to write for the screen? In this class, you will analyze and write screenplays, developing your ability to work with dialogue, character development, and plot structure. During the class you will learn how to interpret and correctly format a script. By the end of the class, you will have created a compelling short dialogue scene between two or more characters. Screenwriting I course syllabus
Second Semester
DIG 204: Digital Video Production - 3 Credits
Can you hear Sundance calling? In this online video production course, you'll learn the basics of planning and shooting videos. You'll learn how to control your video camera, execute different kinds of shots, and maintain continuity in your projects. Working with an expert instructor, you'll gain experience in shooting different kinds of videos, focusing on storytelling, production planning, and sound editing, with the ultimate goal of telling stories that move audiences. This course will empower you with the knowledge to tell compelling stories for news, corporate video, and social media. Digital Video Production course syllabus
FLM 101: Cinematography - 3 Credits
What makes the cinematography of the great filmmakers so compelling? In this course, you will develop an understanding of foundational cinematic principles, including shot types, composition, and lighting, and explore how to apply them in a series of creative projects. The course culminates in a final project demonstrating your ability to plan and execute a visually compelling scene in which actions speak louder than words. Cinematography course syllabus
FLM 201: Filmmaking for Digital Media - 3 Credits
This multi-faceted course will enhance your filmmaking and digital media skills with an emphasis on planning, producing, and distributing creative work through web-based applications and venues such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch (livestreaming). You will research, conceive, plan (using storyboards and other planning aids), and produce a variety of creative pieces by applying filmmaking principles such as storytelling, cinematography, directing, and editing to short-form digital media projects to distribute and stream through multiple web-based venues and channels. Filmmaking Concepts for Digital Media course syllabus
DIG 208: After Effects I - 3 Credits
Adobe After Effects is a powerful application for motion graphics and visual effects for film and video. After Effects is used for broadcast graphics, music videos, feature films, video rotoscoping, corporate presentations, and conferences. In this online After Effects course, you can study with a leading animator and learn how to use After Effects to create sophisticated motion graphics—using text and object animations, compositing videos and images, and adding audio and effects. You'll learn how to set keyframes on a timeline and work with transform properties, motion paths, masks, effects, and more. After Effects I course syllabus
Program Outcomes
By completing the program, Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media students develop the following competencies:
Video
Shoot and edit engaging videos utilizing skillful production, camera, audio, and non-linear editing techniques.
Technology
Create images, animations, and movies by effectively and efficiently using creative software including Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere, and other industry technologies.
Animation
Prepare and present short animations employing basic animation techniques using 2D artwork.
Art/Design Principles
Produce visually compelling work by employing art and design principles including the use of color, pattern, details, and composition.
Storytelling
Conceptualize, compose, and deliver images, animations, and movies demonstrating an effective use of visual communication and storytelling.
About Sessions College
Sessions College has been inspiring creative professionals for 25 years. Accredited since 2001, we have a unique and proven approach to online education.
Accredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission since 2001
Recognized as top design school by GDUSA
Winner of four USDLA awards for distance education
Student Work
Student Work
Program Benefits
Advance Your Creative Career
Advance your creative career in a focused 2-semester program.
By Creatives, For Creatives
Collaborate with a community of creative learners and industry professionals.
Enhance Your Portfolio
Enhance your portfolio with creative projects that put you through your paces.
Structure and Flexibility
Weekly deadlines keep you on track, but with no set login times you can build your studies around your schedule.
Education You Can Afford
Affordable programs with low per credit tuition, and financial aid available for those who qualify.
Open Enrollment Program
Open enrollment with a convenient application process.
Career Outlook for Digital Media
Digital Media professionals produce creative work such as motion graphics, animations, special effects, digital graphics, video production for web, television, social media, and live streaming. These creatives can serve in multiple roles such as special effects artists, animator, motion graphics artist, cinematographer, director, editor, camera operator, and more. Professionals in this field need to possess artistic talent, communication skills, computer skills, creativity, and time-management skills.
Exciting Job Opportunities
Graduates could be employed as Special Effects Artists, Animators, Motion Graphics Artists, Camera Operators, Film and Video Editors, Producers, and Directors.
Median Annual Wage and Income Potential
According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics median annual salaries in May 2024 were as follows:
| Camera operators, television, video, and film | $68,810 |
| Film and video editors | $70,980 |
| Producers and directors | $83,480 |
| Special effects artists and animators | $99,800 |
Job Projections and Employment Trends
- Film and video editors and camera operators: jobs are projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034. There are about 6,400 openings projected for film and video editors and camera operators each year, on average, over the decade.
- Producers and directors: jobs are projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034. There are about 12,800 openings for producers and directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
- Special effects artists and animators: jobs are projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034. About 5,000 openings for special effects artists and animators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Based on Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data for camera operators, film and video editors, producers and directors, and writers and authors and Indeed Job Outlook on video production and computer animation.
Truly Affordable Education
Our tuition is:
50% lower than the average annual cost of tuition at 4-year colleges in the United States.
Significantly more affordable than other online design / digital media colleges.
So affordable that 100% of tuition costs may be covered for eligible students.* Find out today if you qualify.
* Federal student aid and military education benefits available for eligible students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our online application process makes getting started easy, fast, and convenient.
How Do I Enroll?
Open Admissions.
The Undergraduate Certificate program is open admissions. Students entering the program are expected to provide a copy of a high school transcript, GED, or state-approved home school equivalent OR college transcripts. Any students under 17 years of age will need to provide the signed permission of a parent or guardian.
Classes start in January, April, and August, with midterm options in February, June, and September. Our online application is simple and convenient, and there is no application fee.
How Long is the Program?
Two Semesters, 8 months.
The Undergraduate Certificate program is a 2-semester, 24 credit program. Students can graduate in eight months or less and part-time schedules are available.
Will the Program Fit My Schedule?
Weekly deadlines help you stay on track. And with no set login times, you can build your studies around your schedule, wherever you are located. Many of our students complete their programs while working part-time or full-time.
What Software or Supplies Do I Need?
To take this program, you’ll need the following:
| Technology | Desktop or laptop computer with a reliable high-speed Internet connection. Computer must meet minimum specifications for Adobe Creative Cloud (Chromebooks and iPads are not suitable). |
|---|---|
| Software | Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop, Illustrator, Animate, Premiere Pro, After Effects. |
| Camera | Access to a digital video camera or a smartphone capable of capturing high-quality video. |
| Supplies | Basic drawing materials including pencils, charcoal, newsprint, and sketch paper. |
There are no textbook or course material costs to participate in this online program. Discounts on technology, software, and supplies are available to enrolled students.
Is the Tuition Affordable?
Truly Affordable Tuition.
We are committed to making the highest-quality design and digital media education available at the lowest cost. Our truly affordable tuition is:
| Undergraduate Certificate Program Tuition |
|---|
| $350 per credit |
| $4,200 per semester |
| $8,400 total program tuition |
Per-credit tuition is the same full-time and part-time students. Federal financial aid available for eligible students.
A $200 registration fee is required to process your enrollment in the program. Registration fees are nonrefundable after 5 days from the scheduled beginning of program orientation. See Undergraduate Certificate Admissions.
Is Financial Aid Available?
Federal Student Aid. Federal student aid is available to students who qualify. If you are eligible, you may be able to fund your program using Pell Grants and Federal student loans. Check out our Financial Aid Information pages and ask to set up an interview with our Financial Aid Director.
Military Student Aid. Military servicemembers and their families who are eligible for GI Bill Education Benefits or active service member Tuition Assistance (TA) may also be able to utilize these programs to pay for their education.
Get Started Today
Take the first step on a rewarding creative journey towards earning an Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media.
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