At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    BA

As a digital media major, you will develop skills in visual and audio communication for careers in media production.

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media

Digital media student focuses a video camera in a UMass Lowell studio

As a Digital Media major, you will study audiovisual communication, multimedia storytelling, audience engagement and digital content production for careers in communication, journalism, public media, corporate media and community storytelling.

UMass Lowell’s Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media is an interdisciplinary communication program. Courses focus on audiovisual communication, multimedia storytelling and digital content for public, journalistic, organizational and community audiences. 

You’ll study media history, media ethics, audience, writing, video, audio, podcasting, screenwriting, broadcasting and digital distribution. Production courses teach audio, video and digital media as tools for storytelling, audience engagement and public communication rather than as a studio art/design curriculum.

Career Outlook for Digital Media Majors

  • $126.8K

    Median annual salary for bachelor's degree holders in New England
    Source: Lightcast, 2025

  • +7.7%

    Projected job growth in New England (2023–2035)
    Source: Lightcast, 2025

What Can You Do with a Degree in Digital Media?

Our graduates produce digital media in diverse organizations, including:

  • ZOLL Medical Corporation
  • W Hotels, Boston
  • CNN
  • UMass Lowell Athletics and the Tsongas Center
Digital media students at UMass Lowell practice videography

Prepare for Roles in:

  • Digital communications 
  • Multimedia storytelling 
  • Broadcast and digital journalism 
  • Podcasting and audio journalism 
  • Corporate and nonprofit media production 
  • Social media and digital content strategy 
  • Sports media programming 
  • Documentary and public-interest media 
  • Video and audio editing for communication contexts 
  • Client-based media production 

Courses You'll Take as a Digital Media Major

Sample course topics include: 

  • Media culture and history
  • Media law and ethics
  • Multimedia storytelling
  • Podcasting and audio journalism
  • Video production for communication contexts
  • Screenwriting and story development
  • Digital editing and distribution
  • Client-based media production
  • View All Digital Media Courses

Year-by-Year Course Plan

Check out our degree pathways, which offer sample plans for completing your degree in four years.

For students who entered fall 2025 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
DGMD.1100Introduction to Media Arts Production3
DGMD.1000Introduction to Digital Media (DCA)3
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100		College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)		3
FAHS.1090First Year Experience Seminar11
MATH.xxxxMath Perspective (MATH), (QL)3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 1 and Culture23
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ARTS.2610Photography I (AH)3
DGMD.1210Introduction to Audio Production3
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 2 and Culture23
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total15

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
DGMD.2120Media Culture and History before 19603 (DCA)3
DGMD.2200Screenwriting (IL)3
DGMD.2520Video Production3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 3 and Culture23
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
DGMD.2140Media Culture and History after 19603 (DCA)3
DGMD.2310Media Law and Ethics (SRE)3
DGMD.3510Video Production for Clients3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 4 and Culture23
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)4
Total16

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
DGMD.3400Lighting Principles (CTPS)3
DGMD.3100Advanced Editing for Digital Media3
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)4
xxxx.xxxxDigital Media Elective43
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
DGMD.3700Concept to Completion3
xxxx.xxxxDigital Media Elective (3000-4000)43
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
DGMD.4750Internship in Digital Media3
DGMD.4980Digital Media Capstone (AIL), (WOC), (CTPS)3
xxxx.xxxxDigital Media Elective (3000-4000)43
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
DGMD.4980Digital Media Capstone (AIL), (WOC), (CTPS)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxDigital Media Elective43
xxxx.xxxxScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Perspective (STEM)3
Total12

Total Minimum Credits = 120

Minimum Digital Media Credits: 36

Maximum Digital Media Credits that can be counted toward graduation: 54

1Required for entering Freshmen.

2World Ready Language Track (WR track) requires successful completion of a two course sequence in a World Language (depending on placement) and three approved courses on the culture/history/literature/film related to that language, but taught in English. (Total of 15 credits.) For detailed information refer to Policies - Language Requirements in the undergraduate catalog.

3The following courses can be taken instead:

4Digital Media Electives:

Additional Requirements

  • Students must take 36 credits within the Digital Media major with at least 15 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level. Students may take all courses within the designation DGMD if they choose.
  • Students may not take more than two (2) courses from a single department outside of Digital Media to fulfill the major credit hours’ requirements.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6-8 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

To prepare students for careers such as: television and film production; advertising; corporate communications; broadcasting and digital journalism; podcasting and audio journalism; marketing; motion graphics and animation; sports media programming; editing for film, television and multimedia; digital cinematography, and directing for film and TV, the courses in the Digital Media program advance the following program learning outcomes. 
Students who graduate with the B.A. degree in Digital Media will be able to: 
  1. Articulate theoretical and historical contexts of media, including its impact on culture and society, and perform critical analysis of media 
  2. Demonstrate critical media literacy by creating successful media messages employing a variety of media elements 
  3. Select and employ video and audio editing language and related effects appropriate to both content and audience 
  4. Demonstrate skills related to all stages of media production process, from writing script to establishing venues of distribution 
  5. Collaborate effectively in diverse and interdisciplinary teams and work with an awareness of diverse audiences 
  6. Produce work in a variety of media formats using relevant technologies, culminating in a original capstone project suitable for their professional portfolio

Meet Our Students

Garrett Kelly as UMass Lowell mascot, Rowdy the River Hawk, waves a flag and interacts with the courtside crowd.
Garrett Kelly 2027
Digital Media

As Rowdy the River Hawk, Garrett Kelly has gained a unique perspective on UMass Lowell — and landed professional mascot work with the New England Revolution.

“If I can make at least one person happy, then I feel like that is an accomplishment.”
Fahad Alden holding a director's clapperboard.
Fahad Alden '25
Digital Media and English (Theatre Arts concentration)

Fahad Alden says college is about finding where your passions and skills align.

I’m just so excited to see what next year brings.
Nick Jarek adjusts a video camera in a digital media studio at UMass Lowell
Nick Jarek '23
Digital Media

A summer co-op job with the DifferenceMaker program gave Nick Jarek a wider lens on his future career.

I love it here. The people I’ve met are so interested in helping me succeed.

Why Study Digital Media at UMass Lowell?

Digital Media students operating a camera in a UMass Lowell studio

Internships & Co-ops

Gain hands-on experience with regional media companies through professional internships and co-ops in film, TV, animation, marketing and digital production. Clients include:

  • Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Interiology Design Co.
  • Lowell TeleMedia Center
  • MetroWest Legal Services
  • Theatre Arts Program at UMass Lowell
  • Tsongas Industrial History Center
  • U.S. House of Representatives
Digital media student holds a light in a UMass Lowell filming studio

Advanced Facilities

Put your skills into practice in our:

  • Production studio
  • Theater
  • Sound recording technology studios
  • Music practice rooms
  • Shared media, performance, sound and production facilities
Digital Media students working on a computer

On-Campus Media Organizations

Put your learning into practice with these media groups:

A group of students designing for a 3D printer in the UMass Lowell Fabrication Lab.

Career Connected Experience: The UMass Lowell Guarantee

Every first-time, first-year UMass Lowell student will have the opportunity to pursue at least one Career Connected Experience (internships, co-ops, clinical placements, service learning, study abroad and more) during their undergraduate career — earning pay, credits or both before they graduate.

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