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.
CGS Difference
CGS offers a small college atmosphere with all the benefits of a large research institution. You’ll see this in the rigor of our academics, in access to university-wide resources, and through our world-wide alumni network.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 nince (9) credits must be earned at the University of Pittsburgh.
Required courses: (9 credits)
| Subject | Catalog Number | Title | Credits |
| COMMRC | 0320 | Mass Communication Proces | 3 |
| COMMRC | 1122 | Media Criticism | 3 |
| ENGFLM or ENGFLM/FMST | 0355 or 0401/0130 | Visual Literacy or Introduction to Visual Culture | 3 |
Electives: (9 credits)
Choose three of the courses listed below.
| Subject | Catalog Number | Title | Credits |
| COMMRC | 1105 | Television and Society | 3 |
| COMMRC | 1125 | Media Theory | 3 |
| COMMRC | 1126 | Media and Consumer Culture | 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 | 3 |
| ENGCMP | 1130 | Projects in Digital Composition | 3 |
| ENGCMP | 1201 | Digital Narrative and Interactive Design | 3 |
| ENGFLM/FMST | 0400/0120 | Introduction to Film | 3 |
| ENGFLM /FMST | 1390/1275 | Contemporary Film | 3 |
| ENGFLM /FMST | 1485/1410 | Film and Politics | 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 |
Tip: Download our handy planning checklist to track your progress towards your CGS program requirements.
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.
