Digital Communication Design Major: Graphic Design Option (B.S.)

https://cps.unh.edu/online/program/bs/digital-communication-design-graphic-design-option

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.

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.
 
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, Online.

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 CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar, must be taken prior to the capstone.

ENG 420The Writing Process4
COM 460Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics4
COM 480Visual Communication4
CRIT 501Introduction to Critical Inquiry4
Select one of the following:4
MTH 402
Math for Our World
MTH 504
Statistics
MTH 510
Pre-Calculus
Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems4
Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World4
Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression4
CRIT 602Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking4
IDIS 601Interdisciplinary Seminar4
Total Credits40

Writing Program Requirements

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

ENG 420
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 CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 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
ART 401Introduction to Drawing4
ART 512Fundamentals of Design4
ART 515Digital Photography4
Intermediate Courses
COM 504Web Development I4
COM 535Visual Media Production4
MKT 510Principles of Marketing4
Advanced Courses
COM 680Trends in Digital and Social Media4
COM 743Synthetic Media and the Construction of Reality4
MKT 645Marketing Research4
or MKT 517 Consumer Behavior
Option in Graphic Design
COM 545Digital Illustration4
COM 645Advanced Digital Illustration4
MKT 600Social Media Marketing4
Select two from the following:8
CMPL 622
Human Computer Interaction
or COM 665
 Media and Strategic Communication
or COM 670
 Advanced Visual Communication
or COM 685
 Web Development II
or DAT 510
 Introduction to Data Analytics
or MKT 720
 Digital Advertising
Integrative Capstone
COM 798Integrative Capstone: Project in Digital Communication Design4
Total Credits60

Electives

Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online 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
ART 401 Introduction to Drawing 4
ART 515 Digital Photography 4
ENG 420 The Writing Process 4
General Education Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
ART 512 Fundamentals of Design 4
COM 460 Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics 4
CRIT 501 Introduction to Critical Inquiry 4
MTH 402
or MTH 504
or MTH 510
 Math for Our World
or Statistics
or Pre-Calculus
 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
COM 480 Visual Communication 4
COM 504 Web Development I 4
MKT 510 Principles of Marketing 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
COM 535 Visual Media Production 4
COM 545 Digital Illustration 4
COM 645 Advanced Digital Illustration 4
General Education Course 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking 4
MKT 600 Social Media Marketing 4
MKT 517
or MKT 645
 Consumer Behavior
or Marketing Research
 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
COM 680 Trends in Digital and Social Media 4
COM 665
or CMPL 622
or COM 670
or COM 685
or DAT 510
or MKT 720
 Media and Strategic Communication
or Human Computer Interaction
or Advanced Visual Communication
or Web Development II
or Introduction to Data Analytics
or Digital Advertising
 4
General Education Course 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
COM 743 Synthetic Media and the Construction of Reality 4
CMPL 622
or COM 665
or COM 670
or COM 685
or DAT 510
or MKT 720
 Human Computer Interaction
or Media and Strategic Communication
or Advanced Visual Communication
or Web Development II
or Introduction to Data Analytics
or Digital Advertising
 4
IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
COM 798 Integrative Capstone: Project in Digital Communication Design 4
Elective 4
 Credits8
 Total Credits120
  • 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.