Tyler Pina, '14

Tyler Pina, '14 | Award-winning film director

Less than 10 years ago, Tyler Pina was working on films at Kent State. Today, he’s an award-winning director in Los Angeles.

Tyler founded his production company, Neon Flamingo Films in 2017, while he was still working full time producing science and technology-related content for The Verge in San Francisco. At The Verge, he worked on several high-profile projects with NASA, Aston Martin and Volkswagen.

TeleProductions

TeleProductions

Kent State's in-house production unit trains students on industry-standard video equipment to work on live production and telecasts of university events and Mid-American Conference games for ESPN+. Students also explore marketing and promotional videos, Esports broadcasts, custom engineering projects and more. 

Student Media

Student Media

Digital media production students work as producers, camera operators and more for the student-run television station TV2, part of Student Media. The station airs a daily evening broadcast, a midday webcast and nine sports, news and entertainment shows.

Digital Media Production - B.S.

The Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Production provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the dynamic film, TV, and digital storytelling industries. With hands-on experiences and expert faculty, you'll develop a strong foundation in all phases of media-making production and gain the skills to succeed in a variety of industry roles.

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Program Information for Digital Media Production - B.S.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Media Production educates students to create exciting fiction and non-fiction content for delivery in today’s most in-demand formats. Whether they want to produce the next award-winning narrative film or documentary, live television sports or event coverage, streaming television series, reality show or podcast, students learn from seasoned professionals using industry standard technology to tell their stories on screens big or small.

Many opportunities exist to collaborate with students from theatre and dance, game design, science, music, art, fashion and technology during the production of live TV, short films, audio series, documentaries and animated works.

Students also have the chance to work with Kent State’s TeleProductions operations, the nationally recognized Student Media outlets at the School, and even NPR affiliate WKSU.

With the added professional experience students earn from the required internship, they graduate ready to play a leading role in the entertainment industry of tomorrow.

Students may apply early to the following master's degree programs and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Admissions for Digital Media Production - B.S.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Collaborate as a member of an interdisciplinary, creative team.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in writing and a combination of the following skills needed to craft a story in multiple genres: cinematography, sound, editing and producing.
  3. Apply the theories and practices of multimedia storytelling and production.
  4. Research, plan and create original multimedia storytelling projects.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of both the history of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry and of our responsibility to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive industry.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of professional protocols, as well as legal and ethical principles and practices.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C- grade is required in all courses) 1
MDJ 10009ELEMENTS OF FILM, TV AND ANIMATION 3
MDJ 13001PRODUCTION SAFETY AND SET PROTOCOL 2
MDJ 20001MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS) 3
MDJ 20011PRODUCTION FUNDAMENTALS 3
MDJ 23004STORY FOR PICTURE 3
MDJ 23130DIRECTING FOR PICTURE 3
MDJ 30036DIGITAL VIDEO EDITING 3
MDJ 33007PRODUCING FOR PICTURE 3
MDJ 33033SOUND FOR PICTURE 3
MDJ 33043DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY 3
MDJ 34140PRODUCTION I 3
MDJ 40006LAW OF MEDIA AND JOURNALISM 3
MDJ 40010ETHICS AND ISSUES IN MEDIA AND JOURNALISM (WIC) 23
MDJ 40027RACE, GENDER, CLASS AND DIS/ABILITY IN MEDIA INDUSTRIES (DIVD) 3
MDJ 40092INTERNSHIP (ELR) 1
MDJ 49099PRODUCTION II (ELR) 3
Advanced Skills Electives, choose from the following:6
MDJ 33042
STUDIO TELEVISION
MDJ 34036
MULTIMEDIA ENGINEERING
MDJ 36020
AUDIO STORYTELLING AND PODCASTING I
MDJ 40037
SCRIPTWRITING FOR VIDEO AND FILM
MDJ 40295
SELECTED TOPICS IN MEDIA AND JOURNALISM
MDJ 43034
ADVANCED CINEMATOGRAPHY
MDJ 43395
SELECTED TOPICS IN DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION
MDJ 44036
ADVANCED VIDEO EDITING
MDJ 44050
POST-PRODUCTION SOUND
MDJ 44055
SUAS AERIAL CINEMATOGRAPHY
MDJ 45001
ADVANCED LIGHTING FOR DIGITAL FILM AND TELEVISION
MDJ 46030
AUDIO STORYTELLING AND PODCASTING II
MDJ 46057
MOTION GRAPHICS FOR VIDEO EDITING
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
College of Communication and Information Core Electives, choose from the following:9
CCI 10095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
CCI 40089
BRANDING AND SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES FOR ITALIAN LIFESTYLE (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
CCI 40189
ITALIAN POP CULTURE (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40289
ITALIAN CINEMA (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40389
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40489
MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 45089
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 46089
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION (DIVG) (ELR)
COMM 15000
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL)
COMM 35852
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (DIVG)
EMAT 25310
CREATIVE CODING
EMAT 33310
HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION
LIS 30010
INFORMATION FLUENCY IN THE WORKPLACE AND BEYOND
UXD 20001
INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
VCD 13000
VISUAL DESIGN THINKING
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)3
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 326
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

Students transferring credit from another institution may apply a maximum of 12 credit hours of transfer coursework toward their major requirements per the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications guidelines.

2

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement. If course is not being used to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement, a minimum grade of C- must be earned.

3

A maximum of 4 credit hours of Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses may be applied toward the degree program.

Progression Requirements
  • No grade lower than a C- in a MDJ course will be counted toward graduation or as a prerequisite for a subsequent class.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
Roadmaps

Roadmaps

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
MDJ 10009 ELEMENTS OF FILM, TV AND ANIMATION 3
MDJ 13001 PRODUCTION SAFETY AND SET PROTOCOL 2
MDJ 20001 MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Two
!MDJ 20011 PRODUCTION FUNDAMENTALS 3
!MDJ 23004 STORY FOR PICTURE 3
College of Communication and Information Core Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
MDJ 23130 DIRECTING FOR PICTURE 3
MDJ 30036
or MDJ 33033
or MDJ 33043
 DIGITAL VIDEO EDITING
or SOUND FOR PICTURE
or DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY
3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 1
 Credit Hours16
Semester Four
MDJ 30036
or MDJ 33033
or MDJ 33043
 DIGITAL VIDEO EDITING
or SOUND FOR PICTURE
or DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY
3
MDJ 34140 PRODUCTION I 3
College of Communication and Information Core Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Electives 1
 Credit Hours16
Semester Five
MDJ 30036
or MDJ 33033
or MDJ 33043
 DIGITAL VIDEO EDITING
or SOUND FOR PICTURE
or DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY
3
Advanced Skills Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
MDJ 33007 PRODUCING FOR PICTURE 3
MDJ 40006 LAW OF MEDIA AND JOURNALISM 3
MDJ 40027 RACE, GENDER, CLASS AND DIS/ABILITY IN MEDIA INDUSTRIES (DIVD) 3
College of Communication and Information Core Elective 3
General Electives 3
 Credit Hours15
Third Summer Term
MDJ 40092 INTERNSHIP (ELR) 1
 Credit Hours1
Semester Seven
MDJ 40010 ETHICS AND ISSUES IN MEDIA AND JOURNALISM (WIC) 3
Advanced Skills Elective 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
MDJ 49099 PRODUCTION II (ELR) 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours12
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Accreditation for Digital Media Production - B.S.

Accreditation

Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Digital Media Production - B.S.

Audio and video technicians

12.3%

much faster than the average

91,800

number of jobs

$47,920

potential earnings

Broadcast technicians

3.1%

about as fast as the average

32,700

number of jobs

$43,570

potential earnings

Camera operators, television, video, and film

14.0%

much faster than the average

29,700

number of jobs

$57,200

potential earnings

Film and video editors

21.6%

much faster than the average

38,300

number of jobs

$67,250

potential earnings

Producers and directors

10.0%

much faster than the average

159,500

number of jobs

$76,400

potential earnings

Special effects artists and animators

4.1%

about as fast as the average

67,500

number of jobs

$77,700

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Mary Jo Spletzer, '10

Mary Jo Spletzer, '10 | Public Relations Manager at Atlantis Resorts Dubai

A degree from Kent State’s School of Media and Journalism can lead to opportunities to work across fields and businesses — and all over the world. Alumna Mary Jo Spletzer, ’10, has used what she learned as a public relations major to make her mark at Atlantis Resorts in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  

Dan Armelli, '17

Dan Armelli, '17 | Director of New Media, Washington Nationals

As the Washington Nationals marched their way toward a World Series victory in 2019, Kent State alumnus Dan Armelli was the face behind the team’s social media presence.

The Mentor, Ohio, native earned a degree in public relations from Kent State in 2017, and after honing his skills as an intern with the Cleveland Indians, he left in late 2018 for a new challenge as Manager of New Media with the Nationals.

Meghan Caprez, '15

Meghan Caprez, '15 | Communications Manager, Walt Disney World Resort

Beyond the magical experiences guests have at Walt Disney World every day, there’s a communications and public affairs team spreading the magic all over the world.

Zach Zdanowicz, '22

Zach Zdanowicz, '22| Community Manager/Social Media

As a Community Manager for JOANN Stores, Kent State alumna Zach Zdanowicz, ‘22, credits his experiences in Kent State’s Public Relations program for successfully preparing to engage with and manage the brand's digital communities every day.

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