COURSE CURRICULUM

The Creative Media major is designed to prepare students to create, analyze, and manage storytelling across film, television, and digital media platforms, with an emphasis on both artistic expression and professional media production. Students complete a total of 120 credit hours for graduation, including 43 hours within the major, along with general education requirements and a required minor or second major. A key structural requirement is that students may not complete a minor within the Department of Journalism & Creative Media, ensuring academic breadth outside the discipline. The program begins with a small department core that introduces foundational skills in media storytelling and writing through courses such as introductory content creation and media writing. The major core then builds a comprehensive understanding of storytelling, media theory, and industry practice, combining courses in production, post-production, media analysis, ethics, and the business side of film and television. Students study how stories function across cultures and platforms while also gaining technical production skills in video, editing, and digital content creation. Ethical and professional considerations are emphasized through coursework that examines media responsibility and industry standards. A major feature of the curriculum is a required two-course sequence in a specialized area such as screenwriting, directing, producing, documentary filmmaking, post-production, or multicamera production, allowing students to develop focused expertise and advanced practical skills. In addition, students complete elective courses at the upper level to further personalize their studies and strengthen their chosen area of interest. Through this combination of theory, practice, and specialization, Creative Media students develop the technical, creative, and managerial abilities needed for careers in film production, digital media, content creation, and entertainment industries, while also gaining a strong liberal arts foundation that supports critical thinking and cultural awareness.