Program's Overview

The Digital Media Production Program is a limited-access, cutting-edge program designed to prepare students for the rapidly changing world of digital media. With the proliferation of digital video cameras and desktop editing software, digital video production has burst through the confines of television studios and Hollywood conventions, allowing small teams of people to create visual material that is distributed across a host of media, from traditional television broadcasting to the emerging power of podcasting.

Digital Media Production students learn the foundation skills of shooting digital video, recording sound and using lighting for dramatic effect. Alongside these traditional elements, students also learn to use contemporary post production software including Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition and Photoshop, and a suite of 3D animation software. These tools, combined with a theoretical background in visual storytelling, prepare students for work in industries ranging from film and television, sports media, local production studios and emerging jobs related to streaming video and on-line productions.

The Digital Media Production Program includes both an undergraduate major and a graduate certificate. Many of the Media Production Courses are cross-listed as both undergraduate and graduate offerings, with additional requirements of graduate students. Our Production Facilities offer students state-of-the-art equipment on which to learn their craft. Our faculty and staff bring a wealth of experience as well as scholarly expertise.

The undergraduate major is typically a two-year program with an emphasis in one of two areas: Documentary and Public Affairs or Sports Media. A specific program of courses will be developed with an advisor after admission to the program. Sample programs show a typical course load.

Our graduate certificate may be completed as part of a graduate degree program at FSU or as a stand-alone certificate, but a separate application — in addition to the FSU graduate school application — must be completed and approved in order to gain admission to the program. Regardless of whether applicants to the graduate certificate program are seeking a graduate degree or a stand-alone certificate, they must have completed a bachelor’s degree; undergraduate students are not eligible for admission.

Description of Major 
The Digital Media Production major exposes students to the history, evolution, and changing state of mass media. Students will develop an appreciation for the economic underpinning of the media, the social effects of the media, legal and ethical issues affecting the production and dissemination of products and programs, the nature of new communication technologies, and techniques employed in the production of the mass media. This major will impart such skills as writing for the media, audience research, computing, announcing, video production, video editing, and developing media plans. A limited number of students are accepted annually.

Note: Specific information related to this interest area is subject to change. Please check with the School of Communication prior to submitting your application.

Prerequisite Coursework 
18 hours outside major coursework and beyond General Education.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements 
Admission Requirements to the Upper-Division Major
The School of Communication is a limited access program, restricted by both total numbers of students in each major and minimum grade point average required for application. Each major operates with a different enrollment cap. Achievement of the minimum application GPA does not guarantee admission to a communication major; all admissions are competitive. Admission criteria are available from the School. An application package must be completed and submitted to the School of Communication, see http://www.comm.cci.fsu.edu/. Minimum requirements for review of application include: an overall GPA of 3.0 on all college coursework attempted; completed application submitted to the School of Communication on or before the first business day in February for each year and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students must have completed 52 hours of college coursework by the end of the semester of application. Acceptance by a faculty committee will be based on a review of the application and transcript, and other relevant materials in light of the published admissions criteria. By the end of the spring semester in which the student is applying for admission, s/he must successfully complete two General Education English courses and two General Education math courses as accepted by FSU.

Major Program of Studies at FSU: 39 hours
No grade below a C minus will be accepted for any course in the major. Maintenance of a 3.0 cumulative GPA is required. The School of Communication reserves the right to refuse admission or discontinue enrollment of any student at any time, if, in the judgment of the faculty, the student does not meet departmental or major standards.

Foundation courses: (9 hours)
MMC 2000 (3) Introduction to the Mass Media
SPC 2608 (3) Public Speaking
MMC3505 (3) Documentary History, Theory and Practice

Advanced courses: (6 hours)
Students select two courses (6 hrs) from the list of approved courses; see advisor

Production core: (9 hours)
RTV 3101 (3) Writing for the Electronic Media
RTV 3531 (3) Single-Camera Video Production
RTV 3571 (3) Video Post-Production

Advanced production courses: (12 hours)
Students select four courses (12 hrs) from the approved advanced production list; see advisor

Application/activity courses: (3 hours)
Students complete 3 hours selected from the approved application/activity list; see advisor

Language Requirement
Students formally admitted into any program in the School of Communication must achieve proficiency in one language other than English prior to graduation. Students may fulfill this requirement through a modern, classical, or business language. For students admitted for Fall 2012 and later, S-U grading of modern language courses is acceptable; business language courses must be taken for a letter grade. See the University Bulletin or contact the School of Communcation for details (www.comm.cci.fsu.edu).

Minor Coursework: 12 hours or more.
Majors must fulfill minor requirements in one departmental field outside Communication, with the exception of a minor in Hispanic Marketing. Students should check with minor department for specific requirements. Recommended minors include: Business, English, Political Science, Psychology, Journalism (at FAMU), Sociology, Criminology, History, and British Studies (London Program).

Computer Skills Competency: 3 hours. CGS 2060 (3), CGS 2100 (3), or COM 4470 (3).

Oral Communication Competency: 0 beyond major requirements.
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. SPC 2608 is required for this major and also satisfies this requirement.

Minimum Program Requirements – Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36
Major Coursework 39
Minor Coursework 12 or more
Language Requirement 0-12
Computer Skills 3
Oral Communication Competency 0 beyond major requirements
Electives to bring total credits to 120

Mapping 
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. View the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.