Integrated Media Degrees: What Coursework is Included in a Typical Integrated Media Program?

What is Integrated Media?

Integrated media combines a variety of art forms, mediums, and marketing techniques to communicate messages. Integrated media includes advertising, branded content, branding, product packaging design, storytelling, traditional print, broadcast and content, internet, digital, and social media, and more. Integrated media reaches across multiple platforms including audio, film, print, the web, and more.

What are the Types of Courses for Integrated Media Programs?

Integrated media degree programs are available at community colleges, traditional four-year universities, art schools, technical schools, and design schools. Although many employer’s prefer an Associate Degree or higher in Integrated Media, some talented individuals have been able to break into the industry with a Certificate in Integrated Media. Certificate programs are readily available at most schools. 

A typical integrated media program prepares students to work for companies that need creative individuals with advanced communication skills—but not just any communication skills. Professionals in this field must know how to communicate messages through the creative use of technology. A typical integrated media student will develop digital skills across many disciplines such as broadcasting, graphic design, public relations, and video. Sample courses include:

• Advertising and Public Relations Writing
• Digital Editing
• Digital Media Production
• Digital Photography and Imaging
• Digital Storytelling
• Graphic Design
• Interpersonal Communication
• Journalism
• Media and Culture
• Media Criticism
• Media Law and Ethics
• Media Management
• Media Writing
• New Media and Communication Technologies
• Persuasion
• Photojournalism
• Public Relations
• Public Speaking and Engagement
• Scriptwriting
• Sight, Sound, and Motion
• Special Topics: Integrated Media
• Video Production
• Visual Communications

During the last year of the integrated media program, students will complete an integrated media portfolio, consisting of the students’ best work. In addition, students may choose to complete an internship. The internship offers hands-on training at a PR firm, graphic design company, art studio, TV studio, web design firm, or other company. 

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What Can I Do With a Degree in Integrated Media?

Today’s integrated media graduates can find work at social networking firms, PR firms, film studios, graphic design firms, advertising agencies, marketing firms, newspapers, magazines, television studios, art and design studios, game design companies, and more. Graduates can use this degree to break into online journalism, blogging, virtual reality, mobile apps, photography, new media monitoring, social network technical support, and more. Possible job titles include:

• Assistant Producer
• Copy Editor
• Digital Media Director
• Director for Network Commercials
• Editor
• Feature Film Cinematographer, Director, or Writer
• Feature Writer
• Graphic Designer
• Journalist
• Layout Editor
• Live Production Specialist for Audio and Video
• Media Buyer
• Media Relations
• Motion Graphics Artist
• Network News Anchor
• News Editor
• Online Media Specialist
• Press Officer
• Producer
• Professor
• Public Relations Specialist
• Radio Personality
• Radio Sales or Sales Management
• Reporter
• Station Manager
• Station Operations Manager
• Social Media Director
• Sportswriter
• TV Producer or Station General Manager
• VFX Artist
• Videographer
• Web Editor