Best Digital Media Bachelor's Degrees Online

There are a plethora of specializations and concentrations that cover the wide range of opportunities offered by a degree in digital media. While some schools offer a general overview of the field as whole, most programs will require or offer a number of these concentrations for students to choose from. Areas offered in most programs include:

• Graphic Design
• Video Production
• Strategic Media
• Digital Photography
• Social Media Management and Analytics
• Digital Marketing
• Digital Communication
• Integrated Digital Media
• Media, Technology and Society (MTS)

In addition to courses that focus on digital media students will be required to complete general education and elective courses to earn an undergraduate degree. The bulk of programs will also offer courses specific to the concentration of digital media a student is trying to complete, and can differ depending on the concentration. Students can also expect hands-on projects or internships to be required, especially with graduate and doctoral degrees. Some of the courses that can be expected when one is studying digital media are as follows:

• Digital Motion
• Design and Composition
• Digital Video and Sound
• Design Theory
• SEO & Social Media Marketing Strategy
• Content Management Systems
• Digital Illustration
• Fundamentals of Interactive Design
• Web Design

As is the case with most bachelor's degree programs, they generally will require 4 years of study to earn the degree. This is due to general education and elective credits required along with digital media courses. Students with previous college credits or an associate degree may be able transfer credits and finish in as little as two years. Online courses typically are typically designed to last 8 weeks but some programs allow students to work at their own pace. Students may be able to work on their own time, as long as the work is finished by the end of the 8 week period.

When choosing which college or university may best suit what students are looking for, it's necessary to make sure the school is accredited. Receiving a degree, of any level, from an uncredited college or university may result in employers not accepting your credentials when it comes time to get a job. There several different organizations that will accredit colleges that are widely recognized and accepted. ABET is one such non profit organization that accredits schools world wide. Other colleges and universities may be accredited by regional organizations such as The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which accredits southern schools in the U.S. When choosing a school students should check to see by what organization the school is accredited by and make sure they are legitimately recognized institutions.

To be a professional in the digital media there is no official license or certificate one must obtain. Colleges and universities, as well as private institutions, may offer certifications in different areas of the field such as digital marketing or social media marketing, but these are not equivalent to a degree. A certification however, can be useful for those looking to specialize in a specific area of digital media. For students who have received a general degree in digital media but want to focus on the marketing aspect of the field, getting a digital media marketing certificate along with a degree is a good option.

For those looking to be content creators in the field of digital media, licensing content is quite important. This is not the type of license that one must earn for themselves, but the type that copyrights a creator's work and prevents others from using it as their own. This allows creators to retain the exclusive rights to use and profit off their content whether it be graphics, video, photographs or any other kind of original content. Through sites like Creative Commons creators can legally license their work and retain the right to be the only one able to profit for their content. Organizations like the Digital Media Law Project can help content creators decide whether or not a license is necessary, and which license is best suited for their work.

Those looking to break into the field of digital media will greatly benefit from earning a degree, although one is not required for all areas of the field such as graphic design. However, according to the BLS, students that graduate with bachelor's degrees can earn around $500 more per week than those with no college experience. Graphic and media designers with a degree earn a median salary of $72,520 annually. Having a degree in digital media can open a number of avenues for students to explore and start a career in. These career paths include but are not limited to:

• Copywriter
• Marketing Manager
• Social Media Specialist
• Web Designer
• Public Relations Representative
• Marketing Communications Specialist
• Graphic Designer
• Video Producer
• Digital Media Coordinator
• Digital Media Producer

How to Become a Social Media Specialist

As the digital world continues to grow so does the need for companies and organizations to maintain an impactful social media presence, and there need for social media specialists. For those looking to run the social accounts of a nonprofit or those looking to be the voice of a corporation, while the content created may be different, the skills needed are the same. One must have their finger on the pulse of the digital world and be able to create and turn around content in real time. It's also imperative that social media specialists can identify their target audience and tailor the content they produce to them. Another aspect of the job includes working with digital media coordinators to make sure the brand or organization's message is linked across all channels.

Typically social media managers and specialists will have a bachelor's degree in digital media, public relations or communications. While in school students can intern at PR firms or local businesses to assist with either social media or PR in order to be prepared to join the workforce upon graduation. It's important to note employers will most likely look for candidates that are proficient in many different social media platforms. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for public relation specialists is $61,150.

How to Become a Digital Media Producer

For those looking to get into the technical side of content creation a career in digital media production may be best. This job generally requires an associate degree or a bachelor's degree, and several years working as a video editor or content creator. While video editors and camera operators can find work as freelancers, according to the BLS their largest employers are motion picture and video industries. Only after demonstrating skills in these area will candidates be considered for the role of producer.

Students will want to take courses that give them hands-on experience with digital camera equipment and video editing software such as Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere. Earning a certificate in one of these softwares can also be advantageous for those looking to do video editing and production professionally. Online, students can also find courses for television and digital media production that can help them continue to learn skills beyond what they learned in their degree study. Video editors and camera operators earn a median annual salary of $59,810 according to the BLS. For those who wish to later become digital media producers or directors, the median annual salary increases to $71,680.

Before choosing a degree program, students should make sure to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application will let students looking to start an undergraduate or graduate program know if they qualify for federal aid. FAFSA requires students be a citizen or eligible noncitizen with a valid social security number, have earned a high school diploma or GED equivalent and be seeking a college degree. Along with this federal aid, students should research of their state also provides state funded scholarships for their degree, or even general higher education funds.

Most colleges and universities will offer specific scholarships for digital media students so it's important student research the scholarships available at the universities they wish to attend. However, if the school a student is interested in does not offer such scholarships, there are other organizations that will offer aid to students that apply, usually requiring a resume and essay. For digital media scholars one such scholarship available is the Digital Media and Marketing Scholarship sponsored by BrisDigital. This scholarship offers students up to $1,000 in aid and requires an essay about how they hope to impact the world with their degree.

More specific scholarships can also be found such as the National Asian American Journalism Association (NAAJA) AAJA / Getty Images Inclusion Scholarship which offers $10,000 to a photo journalism student. Applicants must submit a portfolio and be an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited college or university in the U.S. There are plenty of scholarships to be found in the U.S. so students should not be afraid to search for both general state funded aid, and for more specific scholarships, such as this one from NAAJA.

A degree in digital media will provide a wide range of topics for students to learn and will most likely have a concentration attached, such as graphic design or video production. These programs give students the skills to succeed in content creation for multiple different fields and strong knowledge of the different aspects of digital media. Students will learn to create graphics, edit video and produce content for various channels of media whether it be TV, social media or the web.

Digital media marketing degrees focus on the outreach of the content created by those digital media designers. Someone with this degree will work with content creators to formulate ad campaigns, promotions or generate interest in a product or service. Digital media marketers develop strategies based on analytics for companies and organizations on how to best build their digital presence. Advertising, promotions and marketing managers earn a annual median salary of $135,900 according to the BLS.

In the field of digital media several organizations offer professionals resources and support. Depending on the area of digital media one's career is in, there are different organizations that may be of assistance. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) offers a membership for TV and radio broadcast professionals that includes the access to camera equipment, motion picture / film production assistance and career coaching to name a few benefits.

For those with a career in video editing and production the American Cinema Editors (ACE) offers students awards and internship opportunities while in school. For professionals there is a membership program that is invite only, with an annual fee of $400. While this organization is exclusive, it can provide professional connections and solidify one's proficiency in the industry.

The Digital Media Licensing Association (DMLA) is an organization that helps content creators copyright their work and prevent it from being stolen or used without their consent. This organization can provide information how to copyright your work and even how to submit a legal claim against someone who may be using your work without proper consent or compensation. DMLA is a trade association focused on advocacy but can also provide information on tools and practices to improve your skills in the field. Annual dues vary and there are a few different membership options including general, corporate and international.