Earn your UBalt degree by majoring in Digital Communication.
These requirements apply to students entering this program in fall 2023 and thereafter.
Students who enrolled earlier should consult the catalog in effect at the time they enrolled.
Read the course descriptions.
Areas of Focus
Computer Graphics Competency Requirement
General Electives
Information Literacy Requirement
(Required for all Digital Communication majors. 21 credits)
Take these FIVE classes:
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMAT 353 | Research Methods in Digital Communications | 3 | |
| CMAT 342 | The Rhetoric of Digital Communication | 3 | |
| CMAT 352 | Media Literacy | 3 | |
| CMAT 451 | Communication Technologies | 3 | |
| CMAT 485 | Seminar in Digital Communication | 3 |
Choose ONE literature course.
Choose ONE advanced writing course.
Additional Advanced Writing course options for students already accepted as an accelerated student in the M.A. in Integrated Design program:
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESN 603 | Editorial Style | 3 | |
| DESN 604 | Writing for the Marketplace | 3 | |
| DESN 605 | Public and Private Language | 3 | |
| DESN 611 | The Craft of Popularization | 3 | |
| DESN 691 | The Art of the Interview | 3 | |
| DESN 692 | Writing for Digital Environments | 3 |
Choose SEVEN courses from the following lists. Students may take 300- to 400-level classes from one area for a more specialized degree or from many areas for a more generalized experience. Courses to be determined by the student and her/his adviser, based on entrance qualifications and career objectives.
Students are highly encouraged to take a mix of first- and second-level courses. At least TWO second-level courses are recommended.
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMAT/ENGL 333 | Media Genres | 3 | |
| CMAT 357 | Principles of Design | 3 | prereq: Computer Graphics Proficiency |
| CMAT 358 | Digital Design | 3 | prereq: Computer Graphics Proficiency |
| CMAT 364 | Digital Photography | 3 | prereq: CMAT 212 or equivalent |
| CMAT 366 | Producing Sound Portraits | 3 | |
| CMAT 368 | Photojournalism | 3 | |
| CMAT 369 | Digital Video | 3 | |
| CMAT 392 | Media Branding | 3 | prereq: Computer Graphics Proficiency |
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMAT 359 | Print Production | 3 | prereq: CMAT 357 |
| CMAT 374 | Magazine Design | 3 | prereq: CMAT 357, CMAT 358) |
| CMAT 456 | Motion Graphics | 3 | prereq: CMAT 357, CMAT 358 |
| CMAT 457 | Advanced Print Design | 3 | prereq: CMAT 357 |
| CMAT 458 | Project Management | 3 | |
| CMAT 459 | Advanced Digital Design | 3 | prereq: CMAT 358 |
| CMAT 469 | Advanced Digital Video | 3 | prereq: CMAT 369 |
| GAME 402 | Interactive Narrative | 3 | prereq: GAME 320 |
Students can also take advanced DESN courses with permission.
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMAT/ENGL 333 | Media Genres | 3 | |
| CMAT 371 | Mass Media & Society | 3 | |
| CMAT 381 | Representing Reality: News and Documentary | 3 | |
| CMAT 392 | Media Branding | 3 | prereq: Computer Graphics Proficiency |
| CMAT 453 | Media & Community | 3 | |
| CMAT 475 | Media Criticism | 3 | |
| ENGL 325 | Introduction to Journalism | 3 | |
| ENGL 332 | Literature & Film | 3 | |
| ENGL 391 | Topics in Language and Society | 3 | |
| ENGL 392 | The Archaeology of Language | 3 | |
| ENGL 395 | Narrative Discourse | 3 | |
| GVPP 362 | Media and Government | 3 |
Students can also take advanced DESN courses with permission.
Students are highly encouraged to take a mix of first- and second-level theory/writing and production courses. At least TWO second-level courses are recommended.
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CMAT 320 |
Argumentation and Debate | 3 | |
| CMAT 333/ENGL 333 | Media Genres | 3 | |
| CMAT 371 | Mass Media & Society | 3 | |
| CMAT 381 | Representing Reality: News and Documentary | 3 | |
| CMAT 391 | Public Relations Strategies | 3 | |
| ENGL 324 | Public Relations Writing | 3 | |
| ENGL 325 | Introduction to Journalism | 3 | |
| ENGL 326 | Writing for Digital Media | 3 | |
| ENGL 390 | Syntax, Semantics and Style | 3 | |
| ENTR 300 | The Entrepreneurial Experience | 3 | |
| MKTG 301 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CMAT 357 |
Principles of Design | 3 | prereq: Computer Graphics Proficiency |
|
CMAT 358 |
Digital Design | 3 | prereq: Computer Graphics Proficiency |
|
CMAT 364 |
Digital Photography | 3 | |
|
CMAT 368 |
Photojournalism | 3 | |
|
CMAT 369 |
Video Production | 3 | |
|
CMAT 392 |
Media Branding | 3 | prereq: CMAT 211 and CMAT 212 |
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CMAT 457 |
Advanced Print Design | 3 | prereq: CMAT 357 |
|
CMAT 459 |
Advanced Digital Design | 3 | prereq: CMAT 358 |
|
CMAT 469 |
Advanced Digital Video | 3 | prereq: CMAT 369 |
|
MKTG 405 |
Digital Marketing Strategy | 3 | |
|
MKTG 410 |
Buyer Behavior and Marketing Analysis | 3 | |
|
MKTG 415 |
Marketing Communication | 3 |
Students can also take advanced DESN courses with permission.
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CMAT 211 |
Computer Graphics: Publishing | 3 | highly recommended |
|
GAME 402 |
Interactive Narrative | 3 | prereq: GAME 320 |
|
ENGL 321 |
Argument and Persuasion | 3 | |
|
ENGL 322 |
Techniques of Popularization | 3 | |
|
ENGL 323 |
Writing, Editing & Publishing | 3 | |
|
ENGL 324 |
Public Relations Writing | 3 | |
|
ENGL 325 |
Introduction to Journalism | 3 | |
|
ENGL 326 |
Writing for Digital Media | 3 | |
|
ENGL 330 |
Legal Rhetoric & Writing | 3 | |
|
ENGL 390 |
Syntax, Semantics & Style | 3 | |
|
ENGL 402 |
Copy Editing & Document Design | 3 |
Students can also take advanced DESN courses with permission.
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CMAT 407 |
Internship | ||
|
CMAT 489 |
Directed Independent Study | ||
|
CMAT 490 |
Honors Project | ||
|
CMAT 493 |
Honors Seminar | ||
|
CMAT 497 |
Special Topics in Communication |
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CMAT 211 |
Computer Graphics: Publishing | 3 | |
| CMAT 212 | Computer Graphics: Imaging | 3 |
Complete CMAT 211 Computer Graphics: Publishing and CMAT 212 Computer Graphics: Imaging OR satisfy this requirement through approved transfer credit or by passing the Computer Graphics Proficiency Examination.
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
IDIS 101 |
First Year Seminar: Introduction to University Learning | 3 | freshmen only; transfer students replace this with a different elective |
Complete as many courses as necessary from any discipline to fulfill your 120-credit requirement to graduate. These can include General Education courses, additional courses in the major and/or other courses of interest.
Meet the UBalt Information Literacy graduation requirement by successfully completing ONE of the following:
| Course | Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
INFO 110 |
Introduction to Information Literacy | 3 | |
|
CMAT 353 |
Research Methods in Digital Communication | 3 |
Pre or co-requisite: WRIT 300 |
ASSURANCE OF LEARNING: B.A. IN DIGITAL COMMUNICATION
Mission Statement
The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Communication provides traditional and nontraditional students with a broad-based practical understanding of communications in the 21st century. Through interdisciplinary studies in theory, culture and writing; production and design; and public relations, this program help them develop communications-related career skills, as well as a broader view of the theories that undergird those messages. The program's graduates prepare for entry and mid-level positions in communication departments, for work as freelance communication specialists and consultants, and for graduate study.
Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduating from the B.A. in Digital Communication program, students will be able to:
Discuss the impact of digital communication technologies on 21st Century communication, business, arts, and culture.
Apply media theory and practice to real world problems.
Compare and contrast basic techniques and strategies for informing and persuading audiences.
Employ principles of effective writing.
Present an original professional or academic research project in one area of digital communication:
Demonstrate technological and information literacy skills that are required of practicing communication professionals.