Communication and Digital Media Advanced Certificate
Communication and Digital Media: Online
Advanced Certificate
Develop critical thinking skills and creativity as you gain a deeper understanding of digital communication, persuasive messaging, and relationship management.
Overview for Communication and Digital Media Adv. Cert.
The advanced certificate in communication and digital media assists students and professional practitioners in better understanding the research and theory of digital media in message creation and in the analysis of dynamic new media channels. Collectively, the certificate focuses on critical thinking, global interconnectedness, ethical reasoning, integrative literacies (digital, technical, communication, and aesthetic), and creative and innovative thinking.
The advanced certificate in communication and digital media is comprised of courses focusing on digital media that have both career and scholarly applications. The certificate combines both academic and pragmatic perspectives and assists students and practitioners in better understanding the research and theory of digital media, in message creation, and in the analysis of these dynamic new channels. Collectively, courses also enhance critical thinking, global interconnectedness, ethical reasoning, integrative literacies (digital, technical, communication, and aesthetic), and creative and innovative thinking.
The curriculum is designed for those who need to update or upgrade their skills, certify their competence, add to their credentials, or improve their understanding of media. The courses are taught online in eight-week sessions, (two per semester) to accommodate students who would like to complete the four-course certificate in one academic year (or two semesters).
Curriculum for 2023-2024 for Communication and Digital Media Adv. Cert.
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Communication and Digital Media, advanced certificate, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| COMM-705 | Technology-Mediated Communication |
3 |
| COMM-706 | Crafting the Message |
3 |
| COMM-710 | Visual Communication This course explores visual communication, the process through which individuals -- in relationships, organizations, and societies -- create and interpret visual messages. A variety of theories from the disciplines of art history, psychology, communication theory, and graphic design will be discussed to develop methods for analyzing mediated messages. Students analyze visual messages from the following media: print photography, video, film, and the internet. (This course is restricted to COMMTCH-MS Major students.) Seminar (Fall). |
3 |
Elective |
3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 12 |
|
Electives
| Course | |
|---|---|
| Choose one of the following: | |
| COMM-707 | International Media |
| COMM-711 | Persuasion in a Digital Age |
| UXDE-711 | User Interface Design This course provides an introduction to human-centered interface design. Students research, explore and create design-based solutions for user interfaces. An introduction to visual design elements and principles such as form, color, typography, imagery, visual hierarchy, layout and information architecture. Emphasis is placed on integrating and applying design skills and processes to web standards and device guidelines. Projects are focused on designing navigational solutions for online web and touch-screen applications such as mobile phones and touch-pads. At the conclusion of the course students will be able to research, analyze and create user interface mock-ups based on appropriate visual design principles across multiple devices and platforms. Students will gain a core user interface design foundation to incorporate into their professional role during the planning and UI design phases of interactive projects. **Note: Course is restricted to RIT Online graduate students only** (Reserved for online students.) Lecture 7 (Fall). |
| UXDE-721 | User Experience Design This course introduces students to the design process for researching, identifying and implementing a user experience strategy for online web and app development. Students will learn to research, gather and evaluate source material to organize, write and design interaction solutions. The user experience workflow will cover: defining client and user goals, user identification, content organization, information architecture, wire-framing methods and basic UX validation through user testing across various platforms. At the conclusion of the course students will complete and document a UX project plan based on graphical user interface requirements and interactive conventions. Students will be able to incorporate the UX design process into their professional role during the research, planning and interaction design phases of user experience projects. and may have limited repeatability Lecture 7 (Spring). |
| UXDE-722 | Interaction Design and Development This course provides an introduction to interaction design and development including internet, web and mobile technologies. Topics covered include computer-based communication and information systems: basic HTML 5, CSS3, JavaScript and WYSIWYG editors for creating content and project workflows for delivery online and mobile content. The course will examine and integrate programmatic solutions and project planning processes for single and responsive design solutions. Best practices and technologies for hybrid, native and web solutions will also be identified and explored. At the conclusion of the course students will be able to programmatically implement web based user experiences which incorporates user interface mock-ups and basic interactive functionality. Students will gain the required technical knowledge to facilitate improved communication with developers and create stronger user experience design solutions during the planning and implementation of interactive projects. **Note: Course is restricted to RIT Online graduate students only** Lecture 7 (Spring). |
Note for online students
The frequency of required and elective course offerings in the online program will vary, semester by semester, and will not always match the information presented here. Online students are advised to seek guidance from the listed program contact when developing their individual program course schedule.
Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is available on-campus only.
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full‑time | Fall/Spring | Rolling | No |
Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. RIT will not issue a student visa for programs offered exclusively online.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the Communication and Digital Media Adv. Cert. program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
- A recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Entrance exam requirements: None
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required. Details are below.
English Language Test Scores
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.
| TOEFL | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | 6.5 | 61 |
International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.
How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application
Cost and Financial Aid
An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.
A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree
Additional Information
Online Study Restrictions for Some International Students
Certain countries are subject to comprehensive embargoes under US Export Controls, which prohibit virtually ALL exports, imports, and other transactions without a license or other US Government authorization. Learners from the Crimea region of the Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria may not register for RIT online courses. Nor may individuals on the United States Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the United States Commerce Department’s table of Deny Orders. By registering for RIT online courses, you represent and warrant that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of any such country or on any such list.
