If you are passionate about digital technology and have a strong storytelling voice, you might consider a creative media degree.
Creative media majors have the chance to collaborate and network with other artistic individuals and learn from seasoned professionals. You can also have the opportunity to put together a portfolio of work to share with future employers or clients.
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You might consider becoming a creative media major if you are interested in visual and written mediums, such as photography or video production.
Online Creative Media Degrees
Creative media is a multi-discipline degree, integrating subjects from both the arts and digital technology. You’ll have the opportunity to study a variety of different media forms, including graphic design, sound, screen production, and photography.
Storytelling is often central to a degree in creative media, as many types of media are used to deliver information, influence audiences, or build narratives. Because of this, it’s likely you’ll also cover components of creative writing and journalism in your degree program, such as strategic communication and content writing.
Typical course topics include:
- Media writing
- Ethics in film and television
- Feature film writing
- Motion graphics
- Producing
- Visual language
- Digital technologies
- 3D animation
As you complete your courses, you will be collecting pieces of work that can be included in your final portfolio at the end of your program. A professional portfolio is a beneficial way to showcase your creative skills to future employers and demonstrate all that you are capable of.
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Creative media graduates often use their artistic and visual skills in a diverse range of workplace environments. Because creativity and technology are essential to how we communicate and conduct business, these skills are useful in almost any industry.
Professionals with a background in creative media may pursue careers as:
- Photographers
- Photojournalists
- Illustrators
- Videographers
- Filmmakers
- Producers
- Marketing specialists
- Sound technicians
Earning your degree can help you get started within a variety of creative media industries. With experience, there will likely be opportunities for advancement in the future.
It is not uncommon for individuals to begin their professional careers in assistant positions and work their way up to leadership roles, such as directors or movie producers.
Creative Media Careers & Salaries
Creative media plays a large role in our day-to-day lives. We rely on visual content to communicate information through pictures, videos, and infographics. We read blogs to learn about new topics, and we scroll through social media to make connections with friends and strangers alike.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, here are some common career paths related to the study of creative media.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Art Directors | $100,890 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $79,890 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $78,790 |
| Writers and Authors | $69,510 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $62,800 |
| Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators | $60,360 |
| Graphic Designers | $50,710 |
| Broadcast, Sound, and Video Technicians | $49,050 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,370 |
| Photographers | $38,950 |
Due to the wide range of creative media forms and uses, this degree is quite versatile. It can lead to career opportunities in many different industries and fields. A creative media degree also focuses on building up technical and communication skills, so you might also qualify for roles in industries like marketing or sales.
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Several factors outside of your degree status can impact the types of jobs that you are qualified for, including your skills and abilities, previous employment experience, and location.
Creative Media Bachelor’s Curriculum & Courses
A creative media degree gives you the opportunity to study the production, communication, design, and marketing skills utilized in the field.
A program’s curriculum may include courses like the following:
- Media Writing: In this course, you’ll explore the different forms of media writing, learning how to conduct research, target specific audiences, and fact check your work.
- Ethics in Film and Television: This course provides an opportunity to study real-world ethical dilemmas in film and television, focusing on how to make ethical decisions.
- Feature Film Writing: This course teaches how to write a feature-length screenplay, covering topics like character development, plot design, and outlines.
- Motion Graphics: This course examines the history, techniques, and terminology related to different forms of motion graphics, including broadcast and commercial.
- Producing: This course focuses on developing your professional skills and abilities in the areas of film and television production, so you’ll study topics such as video editing software and combining audio and video to create a final product.
- Visual Language: This course focuses on the fundamental principles and elements of 2D design, incorporating topics like basic color theory and critical discourse.
- Digital Technologies: This course is designed to develop your understanding of various forms of digital technology through a creative lens, so you may explore topics like computer architecture and databases.
- 3D Animation: In this course, you’ll learn the necessary skills to create 3D animation projects, studying topics like modeling, texture, and animating.
- Business of Film and Video: This course covers the process of completing a film and distributing it to an audience, and it also examines the finance and marketing methods needed to do so.
- Web and Interactive Production: In this class, you’ll study the digital tools needed to create online interactive experiences.
In addition to these courses, you’ll likely have the chance to select a concentration area.
Admissions Requirements
Admission to a bachelor’s degree program will typically involve filling out an application form and providing the required materials.
Many programs request that you submit the following:
- SAT or ACT scores (only if required)
- Personal statement
- Official school transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
Each section of your application works to highlight a different strength. It is helpful to ask trusted adults or mentors to write letters of recommendation that describe your character and explain how you could be an asset to a college program.
Accreditation
If a school is regionally accredited, that means that they have passed a series of external and internal quality checks. This review process is conducted over a period of time and includes an examination of everything from curriculum to educators.
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To apply for certain forms of financial aid, it is often required that you plan to attend a college or university that is accredited. In addition, since regional accreditation is a mark of a credible school, you can feel confident that an accredited school will offer high-quality educational and student services. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has a database of accredited schools on their website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
If you’re wanting assistance paying for upfront college costs, you can research the variety of financial aid and scholarship programs that are available to qualifying students. There are a range of aid programs. Some are specific to each college or university, while others are available on a federal or state level.
Federal aid is available to those who qualify in the form of loans, grants, and work-study programs. You’ll be expected to start paying student loans back after you graduate, but money you receive from grants or scholarships does not have to be repaid. You can apply for government aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
What Is Creative Media Production?
Creative media production is a program that enables students to use digital media to tell stories. If you find yourself drawn to artistic areas such as writing, directing, producing, or editing, this might be an interesting degree for you to pursue.
Students who major in creative media production also have the opportunity to choose a concentration that aligns with their interests. You might have the option to pick between areas like writing, video production, or commercial production. The subject you choose to focus on can help prepare you for a specific career path after graduation.
What Can You Do with a Creative Media Degree?
A creative media degree can prove useful in a variety of professional positions. There are many imaginative and innovative opportunities for students who have a degree in creative media.
Common career paths in this field include photographer, special effects animator, web developer, and graphic designer. If you are more interested in work that focuses on your communication and technical abilities, you might choose to pursue a job as an art director or a content writer.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s in Creative Media Online?
If you follow a traditional, 16 week semester and attend full-time, it will generally take 4 years to complete a bachelor’s degree in creative media. If an online program has 8 week terms, you can often finish in less time if you stay continuously enrolled year-round.
If you are interested in an expedited program, you can research schools with alternate timelines. Many online schools offer shorter programs or self-paced options. If you enroll part-time, though, it will usually take you longer to earn your degree.
Is a Creative Media Bachelors Degree Worth It?
Yes, a creative media bachelors degree is worth it for many students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for media and communication occupations is expected to grow by 14% over the next ten years.
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The projected job growth for many of the positions related to creative media is on par with, or faster than, the national average. Many creative media roles also involve the opportunity to develop imaginative solutions to problems, collaborate with creative teams, and use digital technology in expressive ways.
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Creative Media Degree Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Antioch University offers a Bachelor’s in Applied Arts and Media. The program requires the completion of 60 credits to graduate and expects students to transfer in at least 27 credits.
The curriculum discusses the evolution and importance of media in a variety of fields and aims to teach students how to analyze media through historical and cultural lenses. Students in the program are also given opportunities to create art that showcases their critical analysis skills.
Antioch University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Arkansas State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Creative Media Production—Corporate Media Online. It is designed to teach students how to harness their storytelling skills in the business world. Students with qualifying credits may transfer up to 90 of the 120 credits required for this program from outside institutions.
Arkansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Edinboro University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a concentration in Digital Media Production. The program boasts a customizable curriculum and supportive, expert faculty members that can help guide students along the way.
Students are required to complete 120 credits through the institution. They are also encouraged by the program to pursue internship experiences with advertising agencies, production companies, TV or radio networks, and web design firms.
Edinboro University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Hilbert College offers a Bachelor’s in Digital Media and Communication. The program aims for its graduates to leave with well-honed communication and media production skills and prepared to work as storytellers in a variety of roles and sectors. Students can choose to specialize in Integrated Marketing, Graphic Design, Film and Visual Effects, or Multimedia Journalism.
Hilbert College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Oral Roberts University offers and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema, Television, and Digital Media. Students hoping to establish skills in lighting and grip work, audio recording and mixing, motion graphics, or web creation may find this program to be an ideal fit. The curriculum blends technical skills, critical thinking, and biblical values to offer students a unique perspective in their field.
Oral Roberts University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Southeast Missouri State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication. The program focuses on the creation of shareable content, analysis of data, and the communication of product and services. The core curriculum covers topics such as strategic relations, advertising in society, and media history, diversity, and law.
SEMO is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission’s Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
St. Cloud State University offers a Bachelor’s in Mass Communications and Journalism. It is often a good fit for students pursuing careers as journalists, marketers, editors, web designers, or public relations representatives. The curriculum includes studies in theory and hard skills applicable across fields in software like InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
St. Cloud State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
St. John’s University offers a Bachelor of Science in Advertising Communications. It aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge required to succeed in the ever-changing field of marketing and advertising.
Within the 120 credit program, students can choose one of two tracks to gain skills that apply directly to their professional and personal goals. Options are the Account Management track or the Creative and Production track.
St. John’s University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Alabama offers a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media. At the core of the program’s curriculum are studies to develop advanced writing, technological, and production skills to give students the tools needed to thrive across diverse fields. The curriculum covers topics like journalistic principles, film and media theory, social media and society, media marketing, and media production.
The University of Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Hawaii—West O’ahu offers a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media. The program aims to help students combine knowledge and skills in storytelling, business principles, and innovative technology to find their niche within the marketing world. Most courses are 15 weeks long or less and can be attended on campus, online, or in a hybrid format.
UH West Oʻahu is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Getting Your Bachelor of Creative Media Degree Online
Much like with graphic design degrees online, earning your creative media degree online can help you jumpstart a career in a number of artistic fields and positions.
Many graduates use their storytelling abilities to sway public opinion, build connections between people, and bring attention to issues across the globe. Creative media degrees are now available both in person and online, allowing you to choose the schedule that best fits your lifestyle and responsibilities.
You can begin researching accredited universities today to find the creative media bachelors program that’s right for you.
