The Digital Studies Certificate helps students learn about digital culture and develop their skills in producing digital media content. Each student that completes the Digital Studies Certificate will be able to better recognize what digital communication tools can do and how to use them.
Digital cultures are about relationships between people and the digital tools they use. To better understand those relationships, Digital Studies students think about two big questions:
- What impact do digital technologies have on our lives?
- How can we use digital tools to make our world a better place?
Digital Studies students approach these questions from four different perspectives:
- Digital Practice - learning how to use digital tools to produce better digital content
- Digital Media - learning how to assess digital media to better understand digital cultures
- Digital Information - learning how we use and produce digital archives, databases, and other digital information tools
-
Digital Forms - learning how design impacts the ways we interpret and produce digital content
Students who add the Digital Studies Certificate to their major(s) will be recognized as someone who can more quickly and more effectively use digital tools in any environment.
How to Get in
Declaring the Digital Studies Certificate
Students are eligible to declare the certificate at any point in their undergraduate career. They should declare it as early as possible to plan the required coursework. Students are encouraged to meet with the Digital Studies advisor to discuss certificate requirements and ensure it fits with their academic and career goals. Students who are ready to declare the certificate now may complete this form.
Requirements
The certificate requires a minimum of six courses and 16 credits. The courses must be distributed as follows:
Core Courses
Choose one course from this list:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 200 | Introduction to Digital Communication | 3 |
| JOURN 175 | Media Fluency for the Digital Age | 3 |
| L I S 201 | The Information Society | 4 |
Distribution
Choose one course from each area (a unique course must be taken to satisfy each area):
Digital Practice (P) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 107 | Introduction to Digital Forms | 3 |
| ART 309 | Digital Art and Code | 4 |
| ART 409 | Digital Fabrication Studio | 4 |
| ART 428 | Digital Imaging Studio | 4 |
| ART 429 | 3D Digital Studio I | 4 |
| ART 528 | Digital Interactive Studio | 4 |
| COM ARTS 155 | Introduction to Digital Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 355 | Introduction to Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 449 | Sound Cultures: Podcasting and Music | 3 |
| COM ARTS 465 | Editing and Post-production for Video and Film | 4 |
| COM ARTS 468 | Producing for Internet TV and Video | 3 |
| COM ARTS/FOLKLORE 522 | Digital Storytelling for Social Media | 3 |
| COMP SCI/L I S 102 | Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| COMP SCI 200 | Programming I | 3 |
| COMP SCI 220 | Data Science Programming I | 4 |
| CURRIC 209 | Digital Media and Literacy | 3 |
| GEOG 370 | Introduction to Cartography | 4 |
| JOURN 411 | Multimedia Design | 4 |
| JOURN 417 | Magazine Publishing | 4 |
| JOURN 425 | Video Journalism | 4 |
| JOURN 445 | Creative Campaign Messages | 4 |
| JOURN 449 | Account Planning and Strategy | 4 |
| JOURN 463 | Digital Media Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 464 | Public Relations Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 465 | Social Media Marketing Communications | 4 |
| L I S 341 | Topics in Information Studies - Technological Aspects | 1-3 |
| L I S 351 | Introduction to Digital Information | 3 |
| L I S 440 | Navigating the Data Revolution: Concepts of Data & Information Science | 3 |
| L I S 500 | Code and Power | 3 |
| LSC 314 | Introduction to Digital Video Production | 3 |
| LSC 332 | Digital and Print Media Design | 3 |
| LSC 360 | Science Podcasting & Radio | 3 |
| LSC 432 | Social Media for the Life Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 450 | Documentary Photography for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 532 | Web Design for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 614 | Advanced Video Production | 3 |
| THEATRE 213 | Digital Design Visualization for Entertainment | 3 |
Digital Media (M) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 330 | Music Industries and Popular Culture | 3 |
| COM ARTS 335 | Social Media as Literature | 3 |
| COM ARTS 344 | Social Media & Well-Being | 3 |
| COM ARTS 345 | Online Communication and Personal Relationships | 3 |
| COM ARTS 346 | Critical Internet Studies | 3 |
| COM ARTS 377 | Topics in Digital Studies (Communication Science & Rhetoric) | 3 |
| COM ARTS 449 | Sound Cultures: Podcasting and Music | 3 |
| COM ARTS 459 | New Media and Society | 3 |
| COM ARTS 472 | Rhetoric and Technology | 3 |
| COM ARTS 478 | Rhetoric and Power on the Internet | 3 |
| COM ARTS 509 | Digital Media and Political Communication | 3 |
| COM ARTS 547 | Digital Game Cultures | 3 |
| COM ARTS 577 | Dynamics of Online Relationships | 3 |
| ENGL 178 | Digital Media, Literature, and Culture | 3 |
| JOURN 463 | Digital Media Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 464 | Public Relations Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 465 | Social Media Marketing Communications | 4 |
| JOURN 622 | The Impact of Emerging Media | 3 |
| L I S 340 | Topics in Information Studies - Social Aspects | 3 |
| L I S 510 | Human Factors in Information Security | 3 |
| L I S/NURSING 517 | Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients | 3 |
| L I S 661 | Information Ethics and Policy | 3 |
| L I S/LEGAL ST 663 | Introduction to Cyberlaw | 3 |
| LSC 350 | Visualizing Science and Technology | 3 |
| LSC 432 | Social Media for the Life Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 440 | Digital Media and Science Communication | 3 |
| LSC 460 | Social Media Analytics | 3 |
| MARKETNG 355 | Marketing in a Digital Age | 3 |
Digital Information (I) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 344 | Social Media & Well-Being | 3 |
| COM ARTS 345 | Online Communication and Personal Relationships | 3 |
| COM ARTS 377 | Topics in Digital Studies (Communication Science & Rhetoric) | 3 |
| COM ARTS 472 | Rhetoric and Technology | 3 |
| COM ARTS 478 | Rhetoric and Power on the Internet | 3 |
| COM ARTS/JOURN/LSC 617 | Health Communication in the Information Age | 3 |
| CURRIC 209 | Digital Media and Literacy | 3 |
| GEOG 572 | Graphic Design in Cartography | 3-4 |
| JOURN/L I S 677 | Concepts and Tools for Data Analysis and Visualization | 3 |
| L I S 202 | Informational Divides and Differences in a Multicultural Society | 3 |
| L I S 301 | Information Literacies in Online Spaces | 3 |
| L I S 340 | Topics in Information Studies - Social Aspects | 3 |
| L I S 341 | Topics in Information Studies - Technological Aspects | 1-3 |
| L I S 351 | Introduction to Digital Information | 3 |
| L I S 440 | Navigating the Data Revolution: Concepts of Data & Information Science | 3 |
| L I S 500 | Code and Power | 3 |
| L I S 510 | Human Factors in Information Security | 3 |
| L I S/NURSING 517 | Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients | 3 |
| L I S 661 | Information Ethics and Policy | 3 |
| L I S/LEGAL ST 663 | Introduction to Cyberlaw | 3 |
| LSC 460 | Social Media Analytics | 3 |
Digital Forms (F) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 107 | Introduction to Digital Forms | 3 |
| ART 428 | Digital Imaging Studio | 4 |
| ART 429 | 3D Digital Studio I | 4 |
| COM ARTS 155 | Introduction to Digital Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 335 | Social Media as Literature | 3 |
| COM ARTS 355 | Introduction to Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 465 | Editing and Post-production for Video and Film | 4 |
| COM ARTS 468 | Producing for Internet TV and Video | 3 |
| COM ARTS/FOLKLORE 522 | Digital Storytelling for Social Media | 3 |
| GEOG 370 | Introduction to Cartography | 4 |
| GEOG 572 | Graphic Design in Cartography | 3-4 |
| JOURN 411 | Multimedia Design | 4 |
| JOURN 417 | Magazine Publishing | 4 |
| JOURN/L I S 677 | Concepts and Tools for Data Analysis and Visualization | 3 |
| LSC 332 | Digital and Print Media Design | 3 |
| LSC 350 | Visualizing Science and Technology | 3 |
| LSC 450 | Documentary Photography for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 532 | Web Design for the Sciences | 3 |
Capstone
The Capstone cannot be completed until students are in their senior year and have completed or are enrolled in their final course of the certificate.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 605 | Digital Studies Capstone | 1 |
Residence and Quality of Work
- At least 9 Certificate credits in Residence
- Minimum 2.000 GPA in all Certificate courses
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
Learning Outcomes
- To understand key theories and concepts related to digital studies and the historical context surrounding the creation of digital technologies.
- To gain familiarity with methods, concepts and tools needed to research and evaluate information related to digital studies.
- To think critically about how digital technologies work and their impact on society.
- To be able to create strategic communication content and self-expression using digital tools.
- To understand the professional and ethical principles related to the field of digital studies.
Advising and Careers
Academic Advising
Connecting and working with the digital studies advisor as early as possible helps you create a meaningful course plan and stay on track as you complete the certificate requirements. The advisor is available to consult on a variety of topics including:
- Declaring the certificate
- Course selection
- Studying abroad
- Job and internship opportunities related to digital media
- Preparing for the job market after graduation.
Make an appointment to talk with the digital studies advisor through Starfish.
Course Planning
The list of digital studies courses found on the Requirements tab is the comprehensive list of all courses that count toward the certificate. To find out which courses are offered during a specific term, please refer to the program's Courses webpage. More specific information related to the course offerings is also available there, including specific course prerequisites, limited enrollment course information, and application requirements.
Career Exploration and Advising
Career Advising
The communication and media career advisor assists students with career preparation, such as exploring career options, learning internship and job search strategies, and writing resumes and cover letters. Workshops, programs, and events, as well as guest speakers ranging from alumni to employers, are all available during the year as well.
Digital Studies Alumni
Since 2012, over 1,000 students have graduated with a Digital Studies Certificate. Digital Studies alumni pursue a variety of careers after completing their undergraduate degree. To learn more about what our alumni are up to, visit the Alumni Profiles page to read about the work they are doing and how Digital Studies has impacted their paths.
L&S Career Resources
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students leverage the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and liberal arts degree; explore and try out different career paths; participate in internships; prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications; and network with professionals in the field (alumni and employers). In short, SuccessWorks helps students in the College of Letters & Science discover themselves, find opportunities, and develop the skills they need for success after graduation.
SuccessWorks can also assist students in career advising, résumé and cover letter writing, networking opportunities, and interview skills, as well as course offerings for undergraduates to begin their career exploration early in their undergraduate career.
Students should set up their profiles in Handshake to take care of everything they need to explore career events, manage their campus interviews, and apply to jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers around the country.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit, targeted to first- and second-year students)—for more information, see Inter-LS 210: Career Development, Taking Initiative
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Com B General Education Requirement)
- Handshake
- Learn how we’re transforming career preparation: L&S Career Initiative
People
Please see the Digital Studies Certificate website for a list of certificate staff and committee members.
Wisconsin Experience
Students who pursue the Digital Studies Certificate have access to unique and exciting courses where they not only study digital culture but learn to be savvy users and producers of digital media that they can use in their professional lives. Examples of work that students produce include websites, videos, illustrations, posters, podcasts, and more. See examples of student work on our website.
Digital Studies Certificate students also have access to networking and alumni events featuring careers in digital media, internship and job opportunities emailed directly to them, technology resources through the Instructional Media Center, and design consulting services through DesignLab. Through advising, students receive tailored recommendations based on their interests and are encouraged to seek out ways to apply the knowledge they are learning in the classroom through involvement in student organizations, volunteering, and internships.