Bachelor of Fine Arts
in Digital Media Arts

Produce a Foundation for a Successful Career in Animation and Video

A B.F.A. degree in Digital Media Arts provides a foundation for students seeking to develop careers in the rapidly growing areas of motion graphics, sound design, video production, and photography through a multidisciplinary approach. This comprehensive degree fosters skills desired by the field of digital media arts such as creativity, team building, critical thinking, and symbolic communication. Overall employment of film and video editors and camera operators is projected to grow 12 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Animation studios, multimedia companies, game developers, and post-production studios are always looking for new talent. This program produces digital media artists and professionals ready to create, develop, produce, and promote professional quality digital content on industry standard software and hardware.

90

Face-to-Face
Courses

11:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

3

Award-winning Documentary Film

“Voices from the Sit-in,” a student driven project in collaboration with the Criminal Justice and Criminology program.

Why Choose Digital Media Arts at DSU?

Student sitting in a chair with video equipment and lighting placed around him, while another student operates a camera on a tripod.

Digital Media Arts majors at Delta State University develop a skill set that includes the theory and practice of video editing, the pragmatic and aesthetic basics of cinematography, a strong conceptual and practical knowledge of audio, and the storytelling essentials required for both narrative and documentary filmmaking. Since the program is part of the art department, students expand their essential training in digital media production with familiarity with art video, music video, and live-streamed or broadcast program.

  • Applications accepted year round
  • Flexible and part-time course scheduling
  • Online and in-person student advisement
  • Student-led clubs and organizations
  • Post-production video suite access
  • A hands-on learning experience
  • Real-world video opportunities
  • Delta State University is accredited by NASAD
Kyle Shead, Digital Media Arts major

The coursework within the Digital Media Arts degree program is straightforward with plenty of knowledgeable professors who provide thorough explanations of various video and art processes.

Kyle Shead, Digital Media Arts majorClass of 2026

Concentrations in Digital Media Arts

Student sitting in the dark on a laptop working on Animation assignment

Animation

In the Animation concentration, our students learn the basics of storyboarding by using camera movements, angles, lenses, composition, lighting, and other cinematography elements. They practice storyboarding with traditional tools and digital software. Our students learn how to animate using the techniques in 2D, 3D, stop motion, and motion graphics. They learn and understand every step of an animation production; character design, modelling, rigging, story development, and directing. With this education and a sizable portfolio, they can be a team member of major animation or gaming studios, work in the advertisement, TV, or production industry. Opening title sequences on animated and feature film, commercials, infographics are some of the main uses of motion design and graphics.

Student sitting at a desk editing video

Video

In the Video concentration, students will learn how to color correct video, how to work with new video formats that provide greater dynamic range and expanded color, and how aesthetics and technology have merged to allow colorists to create beautiful cinematic looks in post-production. For students who finds inspiration in the visuals of great films, these skills can lead to a position as a Colorist.

This concentration is also an excellent choice for students who love to work hands-on with lenses and cameras. They will develop valuable cinematography skills that can open doors to a range of video production jobs. From a camera operator to a broadcast television crew to a corporate video producer, a great cameraperson is always in demand.

What Can I Do With a B.F.A. in Digital Media Arts?

With grounding in both theory and technique, our graduates are prepared for a wide range of jobs in the film and video industry and in animation.

  • Videographer
  • Video editor
  • Sound designer
  • Motion graphics designer
  • Video colorist
  • Camera operator
  • Assistant editor
  • Producer
  • Character animator
  • Effect animator
  • 3D modeler
  • Background artist
  • Game designer

Art Scholarships

Delta State’s Digital Media Arts program is more affordable than many of its contemporaries offering similar opportunities. At DSU, we’re going to automatically consider you for scholarships. The Art Department distributes over $40,000 annually to its students in the form of scholarships and awards. Awards and scholarships are distributed according to the students’ qualifications and the recommendations of the art faculty. Students may also be eligible for non-program specific scholarship opportunities.

Program Goals

Students in the Bachelor’s program in Digital Media Arts learn to edit both nonfiction (documentary) and narrative material using various software (including Adobe Premiere and DaVinci Resolve). They begin working with color correction techniques in their very first video class, then expand to working with DaVinci Resolve on calibrated monitors in our post-production suite. Students also begin with the basics of exposure and depth of field. In our advanced classes (like Cinema Studio) students learn how to create beautiful, professional motion pictures that apply the ideas of art. Our program also prepares students to enter a highly competitive industry by leading them on developing a strong portfolio and animation skill set.

Admission Requirements

Applicants of this program must meet Delta State University’s admission requirements.

There are no additional program admission requirements.

Curriculum

The following courses are required to complete a major/concentration in Digital Media Arts.

Animation (Concentration)

Course Number Course Title Credits
ART 221 Computer Graphics 3
ART 236 Stop Motion Animation 3
ART 329 Motion Graphics 3
ART 372 Animation I 3
ART 373 Animation II 3
ART 472 Animation III 3
ART 473 Animation IV 3
ART 490 Professional Studio Practices 3
ART 499 Senior Thesis 3
ART Studio Electives (Must be 300/400 level courses) 9
TOTAL 36

Video (Concentration)

Course Number Course Title Credits
ART 123 Introduction to Digital Art 3
ART 236 Stop Motion Animation 3
ART 329 Motion Graphics 3
ART 334 Intermediate Digital Video Production 3
ART 381 Cinema Studio I 3
ART 455 Advanced Digital Video 3
ART 490 Professional Studio Practices 3
ART 499 Senior Thesis 3
ART Studio Electives (Must be 300/400 level courses) 9
DMI 435 Sound Design for Film and Visual Media 3
ENG 202 Introduction to Creative Writing 3
TOTAL 39

Degree Requirements

To earn this degree, you must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including your general education requirements and the major requirements below. Art majors must earn a grade of C or better in all courses in their respective discipline or required by their major.

General Education 38
University Requirement 1
Art Core 30-45
Concentration 36-39
Electives 12
TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 120

For more information on degree requirements and specifics on courses needed to complete the degree, consult the Undergraduate Academic Catalog. For a semester-by-semester breakdown on how you can complete this degree in 4-years, visit academic maps.

Fees

Tuition at DSU covers the cost of classes.

There is a $25 lab fee per credit hour.

Please refer to the undergraduate academic catalog for details on course-related fees.

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