Digital Communication Design: Writing for Visual Media Option (B.S.)

Digital Communication Design: Writing for Visual Media Option (B.S.)
Two creative professionals in a loft office standing and sharing a conversation about something on a laptop screen.
  ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Program

With our online bachelor’s in Digital Communication Design, you’ll learn how to convey messages effectively, employ sound design principles using the Adobe Creative Cloud, and apply strategic marketing techniques. 

 Credit Hours: 120  |   Transfer: Up to 90 Credits  |   Tuition Cost


What is the Writing for Visual Media Option in Digital Communication Design?

The Bachelor of Science in Digital Communication Design prepares students for the expanding fields of digital communication and social media as used in business and the public sphere to market products, establish brands, enhance an organization’s presence in the public eye, and support the democratization of society. The program integrates technical and creative disciplines through study of communication modes, media design, marketing fundamentals, and information technology. The B.S. in Digital Communication Design fosters learning that prepares graduates to make a strategic contribution in public and private enterprises that require the ability to convey messages effectively, manage information appropriately, respond to emerging environments, and employ technology strategically in a digital environment.

Why study the Writing for Visual Media Option in Digital Communication Design at UNH College of Professional Studies?

In a highly connected world, the design of digital communications—from impactful visual elements, to sharp and effective written content—is critical. Those who can align their messages across multiple communication modes, employ technology strategically, and respond to advancements in the field, are well-suited to career opportunities in this dynamic field. With our bachelor’s in Digital Communication Design, you’ll learn how to convey messages visually, employ sound design principles using the Adobe Creative Cloud, and apply strategic marketing techniques. Specialize your learning by selecting an option that aligns with your professional interests and goals. The option in Writing for Visual Media teaches you how to think critically and creatively to engage, inform, and persuade your audience using media.

Potential Career Areas

  • Web Developer
  • Marketing Strategist
  • Art Director
  • Special Effects Artist and Animator
  • Graphic Designer
  • Producer and Director
  • Photographer
  • Film and Video Editor
  • Desktop Publisher
  • Pre-press Technician

Course Highlights

  • Introduction to Drawing
  • Fundamentals of Design
  • Digital Photography
  • Web Development I
  • Visual Media Production
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Trends in Digital and Social Media
  • Synthetic Media and the Construction of Reality
  • Integrative Capstone: Project in Digital Communication and Design
  • …and more!

Why UNH CPS?


  • Regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc. (NECHE).
  • Available fully online with select on-campus courses.
  • Affordable tuition.
  • Nationally ranked online programs.
  • About 89% of our students are transfer students. Making the most of your transfer credits is our specialty.
  • Career advising is available to all students and alumni. We also extend this service to those considering their college options.
  • Faculty who are subject matter experts and share their real-world expertise, helping you apply what you learn to your personal goals and career.
  • We’re experts at assessing credit toward your undergraduate degree – not only from previous college coursework, but also for other college-level knowledge demonstrated outside the traditional classroom.

Whether you completed your associate degree or took a few courses, we have experience working with community college students nationwide and we are experts at maximizing your transfer credits. We are proud of our formal partnerships to support community college graduates through our Transfer Pathways. 

Students pursuing an associate degree at a New Hampshire community college are encouraged to explore our Transfer Pathway below.

  • Completion of our free, online application for admission
  • High school diploma, completion of a high school education in a homeschool setting under state law, or demonstrate high school equivalency.
    • Successful completion of one of the following exams will be required for demonstrating high school equivalency: the GED, HiSET, or TASC

Curriculum & Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Digital Communication Design prepares students for the expanding fields of digital communication and social media as used in business and the public sphere to market products, establish brands, enhance an organization’s presence in the public eye, and support the democratization of society. The program integrates technical and creative disciplines through study of communication modes, media design, marketing fundamentals, and information technology. The B.S. in Digital Communication Design fosters learning that prepares graduates to make a strategic contribution in public and private enterprises that require the ability to convey messages effectively, manage information appropriately, respond to emerging environments, and employ technology strategically in a digital environment.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
´¡¸é°ÕÌý401 Introduction to Drawing 4
´¡¸é°ÕÌý515 Digital Photography 4
·¡±·³ÒÌý420 The Writing Process 4
General Education Course 4
ÌýCredits16
Spring
ARTÌý512 Fundamentals of Design 4
COMÌý460 Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics 4
CRITÌý501 Introduction to Critical Inquiry 4
MTHÌý402
or MTHÌý504
or MTHÌý510
Math for Our World
or Statistics
or Pre-Calculus
4
ÌýCredits16
Second Year
Fall
COMÌý480 Visual Communication 4
COMÌý504 Web Development I 4
MKTÌý510 Principles of Marketing 4
Elective 4
ÌýCredits16
Spring
COMÌý535 Visual Media Production 4
COMÌý665
or COMÌý670
or DATÌý510
or DATÌý535
or MKTÌý600
or MKTÌý720
Media and Strategic Communication
or Advanced Visual Communication
or Introduction to Data Analytics
or Data Mining, Cleaning, and Visualization
or Social Media Marketing
or Digital Advertising
4
General Education Course 4
Elective 4
ÌýCredits16
Third Year
Fall
COMÌý590 Professional Communication 4
CRITÌý602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking 4
MKTÌý517
or MKTÌý645
Consumer Behavior
or Marketing Research
4
Elective 4
ÌýCredits16
Spring
COMÌý595 Writing for Voiceover 2
COMÌý647 Writing for Visual Media 4
COMÌý680 Trends in Digital and Social Media 4
COMÌý707 Communication for Training and Performance Improvement 2
General Education Course 4
ÌýCredits16
Fourth Year
Fall
COMÌý743 Synthetic Media and the Construction of Reality 4
COMÌý670
or COMÌý665
or DATÌý510
or DATÌý535
or MKTÌý600
or MKTÌý720
Advanced Visual Communication
or Media and Strategic Communication
or Introduction to Data Analytics
or Data Mining, Cleaning, and Visualization
or Social Media Marketing
or Digital Advertising
4
IDISÌý601 Interdisciplinary Seminar 4
Elective 4
ÌýCredits16
Spring
COMÌý798 Integrative Capstone: Project in Digital Communication Design 4
Elective 4
ÌýCredits8
ÌýTotal Credits120

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 120 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 30 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 is required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: General Education Program
Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*GPA: Major and any state certification GPA requirements may be higher and are indicated in program details.
Ìý
A minimum grade of C- is required in all Major coursework. Some programs may have higher grade requirements for Major coursework as noted in the Major requirements section below. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor, and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor. Please note that Option requirements are considered part of the Major. Students must complete 16 upper-level credits in majors within the College of Professional Studies, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ.

General Education Program Requirements

A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.

All General Education requirements, including CRITÌý602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDISÌý601 Interdisciplinary Seminar, must be taken prior to the capstone.

·¡±·³ÒÌý420The Writing Process4
COMÌý460Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics4
COMÌý480Visual Communication4
CRITÌý501Introduction to Critical Inquiry4
Select one of the following:4
MTHÌý402
Math for Our World
MTHÌý504
Statistics
MTHÌý510
Pre-Calculus
4
4
4
CRITÌý602Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking4
IDISÌý601Interdisciplinary Seminar4
Total Credits40

Writing Program Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University as follows:

·¡±·³ÒÌý420
The Writing Process
One Writing Intensive course in the Major
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above
One Additional Writing Intensive Course

Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.

Major Requirements

Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete the majority of their required major courses along with CRITÌý602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDISÌý601 Interdisciplinary Seminar. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.

Major in Digital Communication Design
Foundational Courses
´¡¸é°ÕÌý401Introduction to Drawing4
ARTÌý512Fundamentals of Design4
´¡¸é°ÕÌý515Digital Photography4
Intermediate Courses
COMÌý504Web Development I4
COMÌý535Visual Media Production4
MKTÌý510Principles of Marketing4
Advanced Courses
COMÌý680Trends in Digital and Social Media4
COMÌý743Synthetic Media and the Construction of Reality4
MKTÌý645Marketing Research4
orÌýMKTÌý517 Consumer Behavior
Option in Writing for Visual Media
COMÌý590Professional Communication4
COMÌý595Writing for Voiceover2
COMÌý647Writing for Visual Media4
COMÌý707Communication for Training and Performance Improvement2
Select two of the following:8
COMÌý665
Media and Strategic Communication
orÌýCOMÌý670
Advanced Visual Communication
orÌýDATÌý510
Introduction to Data Analytics
orÌýDATÌý535
Data Mining, Cleaning, and Visualization
orÌýMKTÌý600
Social Media Marketing
orÌýMKTÌý720
Digital Advertising
Integrative Capstone
COMÌý798Integrative Capstone: Project in Digital Communication Design4
Total Credits60

Electives

Open electivesÌýare coursesÌýstudents will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order toÌýsatisfy the remaining credit totalsÌýfor their programs. Open electivesÌýareÌýdefinedÌýas any creditÌýcourseÌýoffered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor.ÌýStudents will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Division of the College of Professional Studies.

  • Express ideas and concepts through the development of digital content.
  • Employ sound design principles throughout the design process.
  • Select and use appropriate technologies for specific media and design objectives.
  • Implement and assess approaches for strategic content creation and development through digital communication.
  • Develop specialized knowledge and skill in a specific aspect or professional practice within digital communication.
  • Apply theories of communication to individuals, groups, and mass media.
  • Employ an understanding of the impact of cultural differences on digital media in a global context.
  • Demonstrate aptitude with research methodology and data analysis as these inform the fields of communication and media production.
  • Integrate individual reflection on questions of ethics, privacy, conflict, and citizenship as these inform digital media.

Your Prior and Current Learning Counts


Many of our students can demonstrate college-level knowledge gained from military, workplace and volunteer-based training, and experiences. We are experts at helping students demonstrate learning and earning academic credit.

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Career Outcomes

Talk with your advisor to discuss how your program, experience, and goals align.