Businesses and media organizations today must create, produce, and manage content for multiple platforms, from print and broadcast to online. Whether you’re an emerging media professional or work in the marketing or communications department of a business or nonprofit organization, you can benefit from training in digital media.
The 18 credit Digital Media certificate program offered by CGS introduces you to the power of multimedia content—written, audio, and visual—and how it can be used to communicate with and persuade audiences. You’ll choose from a variety of courses in communications, arts, English, film studies, psychology, and political science.
The CGS Difference
This certificate can be completed as a standalone program or in conjunction with another degree at the University of Pittsburgh.
Who Should Participate
- Professionals operating in multimedia environments
- Individuals responsible for e-commerce efforts
- People interested in producing content for online publications and sites, films, documentaries, etc.
- Entrepreneurs
- Educators
Program Expectations
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Understand how concepts, design, and technology come together to facilitate communication with mass audiences
- Design, create, and manage digital communication efforts
- Understand the importance of visual and textual communication in maintaining organizational success
- Produce engaging interactive programs and presentations
Credit Requirements
- The digital media certificate requires 18 credits, including nine (9) credits of core classes and nine (9) elective credits.
- Students must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) or better for all courses required for the program.
- Credits earned at other accredited educational institutions may be eligible for transfer. However, a minimum of nine (9) credits must be earned at the University of Pittsburgh.
Note: Many upper-level courses have prerequisites, these are indicated in parenthesis after each course. Students are advised to plan their coursework accordingly.
Flexible Format
Many CGS programs offer a blend of face-to-face and flexible online class formats, all designed to meet our students' needs and schedule constraints.
Online courses are marked with (Web) or (Hybrid). Courses offered in both face-to-face and online formats are marked with (F2F and Web) or (F2F and Hybrid). Courses with no indicator are offered face-to-face only.
Visit CGS Courses to learn more about our online formats and how to search for CGS classes in the course catalog.
Required Courses: (9 credits)
| Subject | Catalog Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMMRC | 0320 | Mass Communication Process (F2F and Web) | 3 |
| COMMRC | 1122 | Media Criticism (F2F and Web) (PREQ:COMMRC 0320 or ENGFLM 0210) | 3 |
| ENGFLM or ENGFLM/FMST | 0355 or 0401/0130 | Visual Literacy (Web) or Introduction to Visual Culture | 3 |
Electives: (9 credits)
Choose three of the courses listed below.
| Subject | Catalog Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGS | 1900 | Choosing Your Path: Internship Seminar (Web) | 3 |
| COMMRC | 1105 | Television and Society (PREQ:COMMRC 0320 or ENGFLM 0210) | 3 |
| COMMRC | 1125 | Media Theory (PREQ:COMMRC 0320) | 3 |
| COMMRC | 1126 | Media and Consumer Culture (F2F and Web) (PREQ:COMMRC 0320 or ENGFLM 0210) | 3 |
| CS | 0134 | Website Design and Development | 3 |
| ENGCMP | 0520 | Integrating Writing and Design | 3 |
| ENGCMP | 0610 | Composing Digital Media | 3 |
| ENGCMP | 1112 | Professional Uses of Social Media (PREQ:ENGCMP 0200 or ENGFLM 0210) | 3 |
| ENGCMP | 1130 | Projects in Digital Composition(PREQ:ENGCMP 0200 or ENGFLM 0210) | 3 |
| ENGCMP | 1201 | Digital Narrative and Interactive Design (PREQ: ENGCMP 0425 or HAA 0425 or ENGLIT 0512 and CS 0010 or 0011 or 0012 or INFSCI 0419) | 3 |
| ENGFLM / FMST | 0400 / 0120 | Introduction to Film | 3 |
| ENGFLM / FMST | 1390 / 1275 | Contemporary Film (PREQ:ENGCMP 0200 or ENGFLM 0210) | 3 |
| ENGFLM / FMST | 1485/ 1410 | Film and Politics (PREQ:ENGCMP 0200 or ENGFLM 0210) | 3 |
| ENGFLM / HAA / FMST | 1683 / 1820 / 1540 | Documentary Film | 3 |
| ENGFLM / FMST | 1695 / 1525 | Horror Film | 3 |
| ENGLIT | 0354 | Words and Images | 3 |
| ENGLIT | 0550 | Introduction to Popular Culture | 3 |
| ENGWRT | 0650 | Readings in Journalism: Reading and Writing the Digital Landscape | 3 |
| ENGWRT | 0710 | Intro to Audio Storytelling | 3 |
| ENGWRT | 1377 | Media Literacy: Writing and Reading Your Way Through The Digital Landscape | 3 |
| FILMST / FMST | 0001 / 0800 | Filmmaking 1: Fundamentals | 3 |
| FILMST / FMST | 0120 / 0802 | Photography 1 | 3 |
| FILMST / FMST | 0121 / 0805 | Animation | 3 |
| FILMST / FMST | 0250 / 0830 | Business of Photography and Multimedia | 3 |
| FILMST / FMST | 0400 / 0826 | Post-Production 1 | 3 |
| FILMST / FMST | 0430 / 0835 | Audio Production | 3 |
| FILMST / FMST | 0601 / 0845 | Filmmaking 2: Sight and Sound | 3 |
| FILMST / FMST | 0610 / 0850 | Digital Effects 1 | 3 |
| FILMST / FMST | 1001 / 1885 | Broadcasting | 3 |
| FILMST / FMST / ENGWRT | 1132 / 1860 / 1132 | Elements of Screenwriting | 4 |
| FILMST / FMST | 1600 / 1846 | Filmmaking 3: Story to Screen | 3 |
| HAA | 0090 | Introduction to Contemporary Art | 3 |
| HAA / ENGCMP | 0425 | Digital Humanity | 3 |
| HAA | 0470 | Photography and Art | 3 |
| PS | 1836 | Politics Through Film | 3 |
| PSY | 1080 | Psychology and the Media (previously listed as PSY 1050 Special Topics) | 3 |
| SA | 0110 | Visual Thinking | 3 |
| SA | 0130 | Drawing Studio 1 | 3 |
| SA | 0180 | Digital Studio: Photography | 3 |
| SA | 1270 | Digital Imaging | 3 |
| SOC | 0490 | Mass Media | 3 |
Important
As you plan your certificate coursework, please make sure to review the CGS Course Overlap policy for information on how many courses can be double-counted if a student elects to pursue a CGS certificate in combination with other CGS and non-CGS majors, minors, and certificates. If you have questions, please contact your CGS advisor or CGS Advising at CGSAdv@pitt.edu.
Requirements subject to change. Check with an academic advisor before registering.