Digital Studies Certificate

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This certificate program combines digital media design, coding for the web, and applied research in the digital humanities. In pursuing the certificate, students will learn to make optimal design decisions for effective display on the multiple platforms and devices that access the World Wide Web. Students will design digital art and narrative, build digital research tools for public access, and gain certification in computer skills documented on their diplomas.

The coursework for the certificate is easily combined with majors in Visual and Performing Arts, English Literature, Communication, Creative and Professional Writing, and History, as well as Information Technology and Information Systems, and many others. There are no extra costs for pursuing this certificate, and many of the courses also fulfill general education requirements toward graduation. To complete the certificate students create a digital portfolio of projects to share evidence of their digital skills with potential employers and graduate programs.

Students complete six courses (18 credits): two core courses and four other elective classes. The two core courses involve experience in both digital research and digital presentation on the web. The electives are divided into “R” (digital research) and “P” (“project presentation”) courses, and students must take at least one of each kind. The two other courses may be any from the lists below, or another course subject to approval by the faculty committee supervising Digital Studies. (To be approved by the committee, the main projects for the course must combine the learning and application of computing technology with another discipline.)