Digital Media Degrees

The digital world is constantly expanding to include a variety of areas, such as production, social media, web design, animation, print design and film production. Undergraduate digital design degrees from Grand Canyon University feature coursework in computer-generated arts and can provide an opportunity to explore and express your artistic talents through various digital platforms.

Discover your creative passions through GCU’s diverse array of digital media degrees, encompassing specialized concentrations in various forms of artistic expression using digital technology.

Develop Creative Communication and Digital Storytelling Skills

GCU offers digital media degrees intended to help prepare you for a career through comprehensive and collaborative educational experiences. The interactive courses within GCU’s digital design degrees and media programs are designed to help equip graduates with the skills and experience relevant to diverse career paths in theatre, production, musical performance and more.

The digital media and communication arts major focuses on the intersection of the internet, digital video, audio and photography within an increasing array of delivery systems, including video production, digital photography, graphic design and web design. GCU’s College of Arts and Media includes concentrations in theatre, dance, music, advertising design, digital design and digital film.

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$98,950

Average median annual wage for special effects artists and animators, as of May 20221

$66,240

Average median annual wage for media and communication workers, as of May 20222

As of May 2022, advertising, promotions and marketing managers had a median annual wage of $138,730, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.3

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Gain Applicable Experience With Digital Media, Design and Film Production Projects

If you appreciate the finer details in any art form, digital design degrees or film production degrees can give you an all-encompassing environment with opportunities to gain design experience while building your portfolio. Students can jump in quickly and focus on employability by developing a strong design foundation in the areas of social media, web design, user experience, motion graphics, graphic design and advertising.

Group of digital media degree students working on laptops in GCU classroom

Accredited and Respected Digital Media Degrees From GCU

Male digital media degree student working on project in computer lab

Digital media majors at GCU have the opportunity to grow into creative leaders and innovative designers who think critically with a Christian worldview. Holding full accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, GCU’s academic programs embody the highest standards of quality. We are proud to showcase the accolades of our digital media degrees faculty, students and alumni, which illustrate the contributions within our university community.

Earn Your Digital Media Degree Online or On Campus To Fit Your Lifestyle

Learn from experienced designers and industry leaders in GCU’s digital media degree programs. Many of our digital media degrees and film production degrees offer evening, online and on-campus classes to provide you with maximum flexibility to work toward reaching your educational goals.

GCU’s Commitment to Affordable Education

Online master's counseling degree student working online from remote location

GCU has not increased campus tuition since 2009 as part of our commitment to providing affordable education.4

Digital Design Degrees and Film Production Degrees

GCU offers modern design and film production degrees that can equip graduates with comprehensive knowledge and advanced skills desired by today’s industry. Our degrees in digital design and film can offer students who are passionate about the arts and entertainment field a gateway to a myriad of possibilities.

Bachelor's Degrees in Digital Design and Media

Explore the diverse world of digital design and media through GCU’s bachelor’s degrees. These programs are tailored to equip you for the ever-evolving world of digital creativity and communication.

Female bachelor's digital media degree student smiling on set at GCU

Digital Media Master's Degrees

Female digital media degree student working in GCU computer lab on film project

Career Possibilities for Digital Media Degree Graduates

GCU’s digital media and film production degree programs can provide a combination of foundational creative skills and practical design solutions to help you prepare a strong portfolio. These skills have applicability across various career paths, which may include:

  • Special effects artist
  • Animator
  • Graphic designer
  • Film and video editor
  • Advertising and promotions manager
  • Postsecondary communications teacher

$51,150

Average median annual wage for arts and design occupations, including graphic designers, as of May 20225

Digital Media Degrees and Film Production Degrees FAQs

View our list of frequently asked questions when deciding which digital media degrees to pursue.

Digital media is content you create or design — such as videos and graphics — that are transmitted as digital data. Digital marketing involves communicating promotions or brands to consumers using digital channels such as websites, mobile devices or social media as a platform. GCU’s BA in Social Media degree addresses both media- and marketing-driven individuals who want to help companies bridge these two digital disciplines.

GCU has several digital art degrees to choose from, and deciding on the digital design degree that sparks your interest and fuels your passion is no easy choice. Digital design degrees can allow you to work toward pursuing careers such as animation and web development. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers and digital designers had a median annual wage of $80,730 as of May 2022.6 On-campus and online digital media programs can help prepare you to showcase your talents and pursue creative careers such as professional writing, digital film and screenwriting. As of May 2022, special effects artists and animators had a median annual wage of $98,950, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1

Certain types of digital media degrees may be earned online with classes that focus on readings, lectures, visual development and rendering techniques, Photoshop and web design.

Digital media has the potential to add a new dimension to the way we live our lives. It can foster the development of unique communication abilities while offering numerous ways to make entertainment accessible to all.7 Digital media continues to transform our world by facilitating social connections across the world.

Film industry jobs may be more or less difficult to find, depending on where you live. Getting your foot in the door may be the most challenging step. When you pursue a digital film production degree at GCU, your professors will teach you about using your personal network, volunteering or interning where you’d like to work, or joining online forums.

Yes, but very little. Digital media majors can expect some basic science and math to earn undergraduate film production degrees or digital media degrees. Whether you want to become a director, cinematographer, editor or producer, you may need to study math at a basic level.

The bachelor’s in digital design degrees — including film production degrees — typically require 120 credits for completion. Most courses in the digital media degrees are 15 weeks in length. Fill out the form on this page to speak to a university counselor to better understand how long it takes to earn digital media degrees. Once you have the foundational skills and knowledge of design, as well as a strong portfolio, you can begin freelancing and working your way up to the director’s chair. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, art directors had a median annual wage of $105,180 as of May 2022.8

GCU students smiling in group photo on campus in spiritwear

 

1 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Special Effects Artists and Animators as of May 2022, retrieved on Jan. 4, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as special effects artists and animators, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Media and Communication Workers as of May 2022, retrieved on Jan. 4, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as media and communication workers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

3 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Promotions and Marketing Managers as of May 2022, retrieved on Jan. 4, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as promotions and marketing managers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

4 2022-23 academic year

5 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Arts and Design Occupations as of May 2022, retrieved on Jan. 4, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as arts and design occupations, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

6 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Web Developers and Digital Designers as of May 2022, retrieved on Jan. 4, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as web developers and digital designers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

7 Talukdar, S. (2021, March 7). Influence of Digital Media. LinkedIn. Retrieved on Jan. 4, 2024.

8 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Art Directors as of May 2022, retrieved on Jan. 4, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as art directors, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

Grand Canyon University's online and evening programs offer the flexibility you need to get ahead, providing a quality education to help you thrive in today's complex world.

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