Program Details
Digital Media Arts Major - BA
Bachelor of ArtsBridgewater 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 Communication, Technology and Culture." The various art department programs support many student interests, including: Visual art as a personal interest and commitment Careers in teaching, visual communication and art Graduate study in art and design Study in art combined with career ambitions in other fields Experimenting with art for the first time
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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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 |
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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

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

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 |
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Bridgewater 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?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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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 (4 credit hours). These are our FILA 350EW course designed to serve as an orientation for transfer students, and FILA 450 our senior capstone experience course. |
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 (4 credit hours). These are our FILA 150 course designed to serve as an orientation for new students, and FILA 450 our senior capstone experience course. |
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... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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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 | BRCC Students need to declare an intent to transfer to Bridgewater after completing a minimum of 15 credits towards the transfer-oriented associate degree. BRCC Students should complete all Bridgewater transfer application requirements, and apply for graduation from BRCC. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Photo Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Graphic Design, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Graphic Design: Interactive Design Specialization, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Photographic Media Arts) | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Visual Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Emory & Henry University | Art: Graphic Design (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
27-1011.00 | Art Directors | Formulate 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 |
25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach 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 |
27-1019.00 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other | All artists and related workers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1024.00 | Graphic Designers | Design 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 |
27-4021.00 | Photographers | Photograph 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 |
27-1014.00 | Special Effects Artists and Animators | Create 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
