Program Details
Program Details
Back to top

Program Details

Digital Media Arts Major - BA

Bachelor of Arts
Bridgewater College

Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.

The Department of Art offers introductory and advanced courses in ceramics, design, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, videography and art history. All students, regardless of major, are welcome in art courses, as visual art is for and about everyone. The Art Department offers two majors. First, the traditional Art major (studio focus) provides a concentrated hands-on experience that promotes deep learning in art and broad skill development across the college curriculum. Students majoring in Art study a range of art media and processes while mastering at least one in depth. Flexibility is a crucial advantage of the art major's compact size, allowing and encouraging students to easily pursue second majors and minors in other disciplines. Second, the Art Department also offers a major in Digital Media Arts. While introducing the world to the iPad2 in March 2011, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs remarked, "Technology alone is not enough. It is technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities that yields the results that make our hearts sing." Since the launch of Google (1998), Facebook (2004), Youtube (2005), Twitter (2006), iPhone (2008), and the iPad (2010), the need for experts in creating digital media content has dramatically increased. Today, we live in an age where nearly every type of organization needs employees who are skilled in the art of video production, photography, and web-design. The Digital Media Arts major teaches the theories and skills necessary for many of these types of careers. Students enrolled in this major often consider a second major in areas such as Professional Writing or Strategic Communications. The various Art Department programs support many student interests including visual art as a personal interest; careers in teaching, visual communication and art; graduate study in art and design; study in art combined with career ambitions in other fields; and experimenting with art for the first time


Program Overview & Guidance
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree As a Digital Media Arts major, you’ll develop your skills in video production, photography, graphic design, and web design. Advanced studio and capstone courses allow you to create digitally based work in a direction of your choosing and present it to the public.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Bridgewater College within your first year
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses All courses must be completed with a C of better.
Doing More With Your Degree The Digital Media Arts Major is great as a stand-alone major, and, at just 36 credits, it is small enough to complete as part of a double major or major/minor pairing in areas such as Professional Writing, Communication, Technology and Culture, and Business. You may also go on to pursue the Master in Digital Media Strategy program where you can take up to nine credits as an undergrad and graduate in only five years with both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees!
Program Successes & Highlights Nearly every type of organization needs employees who have skills in digital media. Our graduates enter the workforce with a portfolio and a broad range of digital media skills, and are prepared for employment in design, marketing, media production, social media specialization and more. Students who continue in the Master in Digital Media Strategy program are prepared for employment in areas including sales, public relations, interorganizational communication, digital media communication coordinating, content marketing management, social media coordinating, and digital media strategy.
Program Credit Requirements
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Applicable Admissions Agreements
Expand or Shrink Accordion

The table below lists admissions agreements between Bridgewater College and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name Type Title
Blue Ridge Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Central Virginia Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Danville Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Mountain Gateway Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Eastern Shore Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Germanna Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Brightpoint Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Laurel Ridge Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Mountain Empire Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
New River Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Northern Virginia Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Paul D. Camp Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Patrick & Henry Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Piedmont Virginia Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Rappahannock Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Southside Virginia Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Southwest Virginia Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Tidewater Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Virginia Highlands Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Virginia Western Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System
Wytheville Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guaranteed Admission between Bridgewater College and The Virginia Community College System

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Completing an AA, AS, or AA&S degree will waive all but 4 credits of our Foundations in Liberal Arts Program.

Students who graduate with a transfer-oriented associate degree (A.A., A.S., or A.A.&S.), will have all Bridgewater general education course requirements waived except for two courses (2-4 total credit hours). These are our Connected Learning (CL) 150 course designed to serve as an orientation for transfer students, and CL 400 that serves as a senior capstone experience. CL 400 may be delivered within the major (3 credits) or separately (1 credit).
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School The completion of an Associate Degree concurrent with high school results in course work towards your degree and most general education courses satisfied. Students who graduate with a transfer-oriented associate degree (A.A., A.S., or A.A.&S.), will have all Bridgewater general education course requirements waived except for two courses (2-4 credit hours). These are our Connected Learning (CL) 150 course designed to serve as an orientation for transfer students, and CL 400 that serves as a senior capstone experience. CL 400 may be delivered within the major (3 credits) or separately (1 credit).
Credit for Prior Learning Bridgewater College may award credit for Advanced Placement and military experience. See the linked pages for credit evaluation policies.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Bridgewater College
College Level Information
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
72
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
89%
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? You'll be part of a vibrant community where people truly know and care for one another. Bridgewater is home to approximately 1,500 full-time students (undergraduate and graduate), 80% of whom live on campus. With an average class size of 19, you'll make lasting connections with your professors and classmates. You won't lack for opportunities to get involved with more than 50 student clubs and organizations to choose from.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by the academic year of the first semester of attendance at Bridgewater College.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by the academic year of the first semester of attendance at Bridgewater College.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions VCCS Students need to declare an intent to transfer to Bridgewater after completing a minimum of 15 credits towards the transfer-oriented associate degree. VCCS Students should complete all Bridgewater transfer application requirements, and apply for graduation from VCCS.
Where Can This Degree Transfer
Expand or Shrink Accordion
This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Photo SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Photographic Media Arts)AssociateAssociate of Applied Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Visual Design DegreeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Emory & Henry UniversityArt: Graphic Design (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBA in Digital Media Arts and DesignBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
Expand or Shrink Accordion
O*Net Code Name Description Parent
27-1011.00Art DirectorsFormulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
25-1121.00Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
27-1019.00Artists and Related Workers, All OtherAll artists and related workers not listed separately.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-1024.00Graphic DesignersDesign or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-4021.00PhotographersPhotograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-1014.00Special Effects Artists and AnimatorsCreate special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
Cost To Complete
Expand or Shrink Accordion