Digital Media Innovation, BA/BS

Major
On Campus, Day
Communications Media
Live Saving Class Project Group Photo Students with Attorney General, President Hodge, and Kyle Moody

In Short

With the Digital Media Innovation degree you will develop a wide range of new digital skills that span social media, multimedia storytelling, information design, data and digital media studies, coding, and more to meet the needs of a flexible and changing global economy.

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What will I do?
  • Integrate academic work with community engagement to produce tangible, engaging, audience-aware products 
  • Produce engaging digital narratives using emerging tools, such as 3D printing, 360 degree video, augmented reality and creative multimedia coding
  • Evaluate and critique the impacts of data on society and how data can be used to address issues such as social justice and inequality

Life Saving Class Project

Students in Dr. Kyle Moody’s Social Media and Advertising class presented Worcester District Attorney Joe Early a marketing plan to keep Massachusetts drivers safe. They created graphics, ads, and other promotional materials for the campaign Eyes Up Phones Down, which encourages drivers not to be distracted by their phones. Student Gabriella Cavallaro said, “I am proud of how the class and I navigated through challenges that may have arisen, but also how we were able to maintain creativity while addressing a serious matter. This project will always be something that I can say I am grateful for and proud to be a part of.” 
Students present drive save campaign in front of white screen presenting
Attorney General Joseph Earley talking to students in DMI class
Male student presenting in life saving DMI class
Attorney General Joseph Earley and President Hodge talking to students in DMI class

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Program Overview

Are you ready to turn your creativity into a career? Digital Media Innovation is on the cutting edge of valuable creative and technical skills for a rapidly changing world. With the freedom to shape your own course of study, choosing classes that match your interests, you can create podcasts, design games, craft social media campaigns, analyze data, and even explore Generative AI and augmented reality. Along the way, you’ll tackle real-world projects and discover how to use technology to make a positive impact on society. DMI gives you the tools to stand out and succeed in your dream career. 

The DMI program culminates in a capstone project that demonstrates the changing ways we construct narratives using data and make technologies and practices that reconsider the human experience in a digital age. The capstone project is geared around student scholarship and professional development, providing an opportunity to develop professional portfolio pieces that will assist students in their careers. 

This degree is typically awarded as a Bachelor of Science (BS). The Bachelor of Arts (BA) will be awarded if a student has demonstrated advanced intermediate proficiency in a world language. 

Want to learn more? Watch these interview clips with Dr. Kyle Moody discussing the program.

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DMI Expo

Prospective students are invited to attend the Digital Media Innovation Expo to learn about the program and to meet faculty and students in DMI. At the event you'll be able to:

  • Meet current students and hear about their experiences in the major.
  • See hands-on projects in areas like multimedia storytelling, data visualization, coding, and digital culture.
  • Explore how DMI connects to your interests—whether that’s game design, social media, journalism, history, or emerging tech.

All event attendees who choose DMI at Fitchburg State will receive a $200 enrollment deposit waiver. Please RSVP by Friday, April 18. You'll need to sign in using your admissions portal credentials. 

RSVP for the DMI Expo

Check out this YouTube short to see what this program has to offer. 

Experiential Opportunities

Two male students working on computers in the archives

DMI Senior Capstone

During their senior year, DMI majors complete a capstone project in collaboration with a faculty member and local community organization. See some of these projects.
Read more about: DMI Senior Capstone
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Visions

Each year students are given the opportunity to submit original work to be juried and possibly selected for our honors art exhibition, VISIONS. This is a showcase of the year's best student work. VISIONS involves a gallery exhibition and a film/video screening.
Read more about: Visions
Students studying in Greece Summer 2022

Study Abroad

Study abroad opportunities in the DMI major include both Games and Arts in Japan and Rhetoric in Greece. 
Read more about: Study Abroad
Smiling faculty and students looking at presentation boards

Undergraduate Research Conference

The Undergraduate Research Conference is an annual event where students present work related to course research, creative work in the visual and performing arts, study abroad trips, community service, and much more. 
Read more about: Undergraduate Research Conference
Students in law and ethics class

Communication Law and Ethics

Students explore the legal and ethical guidelines for their careers, and host public discussions about the leading ethical issues facing digital media.  
Read more about: Communication Law and Ethics
Two male students working on computers in the archives

Introduction to Digital Humanities

Students get real-world experience working in local archives, focusing on digital preservation and digital storytelling, such as contributing to the ongoing "When We Were Normal" augmented reality historical tour of campus.   
Read more about: Introduction to Digital Humanities
Kyle Moody smiling in front of class and whiteboard

Introduction to Social Media

This class offers the opportunity to create social media campaigns with local community organizations and businesses, as well as discussing the latest developments in social media practices.   
Read more about: Introduction to Social Media
Students in DMI classroom with laptops

Creative Coding

Learn computer programming as a means of creative expression using algorithmic and generative art, data visualization, and storytelling.  
Read more about: Creative Coding
Cover of the Data Renaissance by JJ Sylvia

Data and Society

Become a published author by contributing to projects that explore how data is impacting careers of all types.  
Read more about: Data and Society

Curriculum and Other Information

Students who complete this program will be able to:

  • Explore topics in the humanities with critical thinking skills. This includes:
    • Understanding history and how it’s studied.
    • Using digital tools to study and recreate texts.
    • Connecting ideas across different subjects.
    • Analyzing texts with the help of technology.
    • Using digital tools to set and evaluate research goals in subject-specific studies
    • Think critically about information and technology.
  • Combine academic learning with real-world projects to create work for specific audiences, including:
    • Creating engaging digital stories using tools like 3D printing, 360-degree video, augmented reality, and multimedia coding.
    • Developing social media strategies for outreach and content creation.
    • Working respectfully with others from different backgrounds to meet community needs.
  • Understand and evaluate how data affects society, including:
    • How data can address problems like inequality and social justice.
    • How data influences their personal life, studies, and future career.
    • Using data effectively in the process of collecting, creating, analyzing and visualizing it.
  • Solve real-world problems by:
    • Applying knowledge to take responsible action on global issues.
    • Using skills and methods from one situation to solve new and difficult challenges in creative ways.
  • Digital content creators such as journalists, editors, or specialists
  • Social/digital media managers
  • Community engagement managers
  • Digital content management
  • Entry-level web developers
  • Media positions in tech companies
  • Digital media startups
  • Data and analytics
  • Digital project managers
  • Multimedia producers
  • News product development 
  • Still emerging jobs such as Digital Data Detective, Personal Memory Curator, and Augmented Reality Journey Builder

Undergraduate Day Tuition and Fees

The DMI major grew out of a Digital Humanities (DH) faculty working group at Fitchburg State University, where faculty shared digital-based projects and tools they were using in their courses.

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