Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media
Program Overview
The Sessions College Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media offers an exciting foundation in video and motion graphics design. Students gain experience in creating digital images and illustrations, and making movies using Adobe Premiere, Animate, and After Effects. Students gain essential skills in visual design and apply them in animation, motion graphics, and video production and editing.
This was a fantastic alternative to traditional school. I feel like the instructors made it easy for me to learn with written and video instructions. I'm looking forward to applying my knowledge that I have now in video production.
Truly Affordable Education
Our Fall 2024 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.
Program Outcomes
By completing the program, Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media students develop the following competencies:
1. Video
Shoot and edit engaging videos utilizing skillful production, camera, audio, and non-linear editing techniques.
2. Technology
Create images, animations, and movies by effectively and efficiently using creative software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Animate, After Effects, and Premiere, and other industry technologies.
3. Animation
Prepare and present short animations employing basic animation techniques using 2D artwork.
4. Art/Design Principles
Demonstrate the ability to produce visually compelling work by applying knowledge of color, pattern, detail, and composition.
5. Storytelling
Conceptualize, compose, and deliver images, animations, and movies demonstrating an effective use of visual communication and storytelling.
Program Curriculum
The Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media is a 24-credit online program completed in two semesters. Part-time schedules are available.
- DES 121 Photoshop I - 3 credits
- DES 104 Color Theory - 1.5 credits
- DIG 205 Intro to Motion - 1.5 credits
- DIG 201 Digital Video Editing I - 3 credits
- DES 111 Drawing I - 3 credits
- DIG 210 Animate I - 3 credits
- DIG 204 Digital Video Production - 3 credits
- DIG 208 After Effects I - 3 credits
- DES 141 Illustrator I - 3 credits
Course Descriptions
The program builds a foundation for entry-level art/design design work or further study. All credits can be later transferred into the Associate in Digital Media degree program.
DES 121 Photoshop I - 3 credits
Get a thorough grounding in Adobe Photoshop, the premiere image manipulation tool for print design, Web design, and photography. You’ll learn to choose and use 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. Every designer must tame this creative powerhouse of a program.
DES 104 Color Theory - 1.5 credits
Focus on developing appropriate color systems for graphic design projects. Projects explore the principles, terminology, and applications of color theory, with an emphasis on manipulating color. A working knowledge of the expression and perception of color, and color interaction, lends credibility and sophistication to a designer’s work.
DIG 205 Intro to Motion - 1.5 credits
This course introduces topics of motion in animation and video through research and observation of real-life movement and movement in animation. Students learn basic principles of visible motion—including physics principles—and apply these principles to written analysis and practical explorations including flipbook-style animation. Topics include movement of objects and characters.
DIG 204 Digital Video Production - 3 credits
Learn how to control white balance, aperture, and shutter speed, to get high quality images from your digital video camera. You’ll explore the different types of shots and camera motion techniques used by the pros and learn how to do location scouting, plan props, wardrobe, and sets, and work with talent. Course lectures challenge you to think about different storytelling conventions in narrative and documentary movie-making and address the fundamentals of sound recording.
DES 111 Drawing I - 3 credits
Learn how to analyze what you see in the world around you and communicate it on paper. Through hands-on projects, and guided by a professional artist, you will explore the critical concepts of line, mass, form, perspective, value, and composition, building a solid foundation for all your art and design work.
DIG 210 Animate I - 3 credits
In this course you’ll get a thorough, hands-on introduction to Adobe 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, shape tweens, masks, frame by frame animation, and lip syncing.
DIG 201 Digital Video Editing I - 3 credits
Learn the art and craft of editing videos from two award-winning filmmakers. The course explores techniques that can be applied in a range of non-linear editing programs, including Adobe Premiere Pro. Yet the main focus is not just on developing software skills; it’s on exploring the magic behind video editing. Challenging projects including editing a commercial, an interview, a narrative scene, a music video, a video diary, and a text title sequence.
DIG 208 After Effects I - 3 credits
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, and effects, developing a solid foundation in this increasingly popular and versatile program.
DES 141 Illustrator I - 3 credits
Build a working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, the graphic designer’s vector program of choice. Course projects explore selection tools, drawing tools, layers, the Pen tool, transformations/distortions, type tools, and modifying paths and shapes. Tapping the power of vector software allows you to produce detailed and scalable art for almost any application.
Studying Online at Sessions
Founded in 1997, Sessions College has delivered accredited and affordable fully online programs for creative professionals for more than 20 years. Earning your Digital Media Certificate online at Sessions has never been more accessible.
Take a virtual college tour in this video!
What Our Students Say
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.
Student Work
Student Work
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 2023 were as follows:
| Camera operators, television, video, and film | $61,800 |
| Film and video editors | $66,600 |
| Producers and directors | $85,510 |
| Special effects artists and animators | $99,060 |
Job Projections and Employment Trends
From 2022 to 2032, employment opportunities are expected to grow as follows:
- Film and video editors and camera operators: jobs are projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032.
- Producers and directors: jobs are projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032.
- Special effects artists and animators: jobs are projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032.
About 9,400 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our online application process makes getting started easy, fast, and convenient.
What's the Admissions Process?
Open Admissions.
Students entering the Undergraduate Certificate program are expected to have earned a high school diploma, GED, or state-approved home school equivalent. Any students under 18 years of age will need to provide the signed permission of a parent or guardian.
Classes start in January, April, and August, with early start options in February, June, and October. Our online application is simple and convenient, and there is no application fee.
How Long is the Program?
Two Semester Program.
The Undergraduate Certificate program is a 2-semester, 24 credit program. Students can graduate in under eight months 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:
- Mac or Windows computer with an Internet connection.
- A digital video camera and ability to connect it to a computer to capture footage.
- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Animate, After Effects, and Premiere CC software.
- Your computer must meet software manufacturer requirements.
- A Web hosting account with an ad-free hosting service.
- Webcam, headphones or speaker, VPN connection, and microphone connected to the computer for live proctored exams.
There are no textbook or course material costs to participate in this online program. Student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud software is available to enrolled students.
What are the Program Costs?
Truly Affordable Tuition. Since our founding in 1997, we have been committed to making the highest-quality design and digital media education available at the lowest cost.
Our truly affordable Fall 2024 tuition is:
| Undergraduate Certificate Program - Fall 2024 Tuition |
|---|
| $300 per credit |
| $3,600 per semester |
| $7,200 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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