Digital Media, Photography and Design, major

Owned by Jenni Piper
Last updated: May 03, 2024 by Amber Tobey
2 min read

Contact: Steve Johnson
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Semester Hours: 50
Format: Face-to-face
Core Intensives: Fulfills all Core intensives.

Senior Exhibits and Productions: VACA seniors in this major complete a significant production or exhibit. This senior exhibit/production represents a culminating event—a chance to synthesize their learning experience in an outstanding body of work, to celebrate the accomplishments of a successful undergraduate career, and to showcase their best work for the broader community. As such, this requires significant teamwork and collaboration with student colleagues and faculty, along with substantial preparation of the work for presentation during the semester of graduation. Marketing majors complete the capstone course MKTG 410 Strategic Marketing Management.

Sophomore Review:  Sophomore Reviews are required for Art, and Digital Media, Photography and Design majors. Visual And Communication Arts faculty will conduct a portfolio review after students have been at EMU for three semesters. Transfer students (who have completed the equivalent of at least three semesters in a similar major elsewhere) will usually complete the review process after one semester at EMU. The VACA program director may approve exceptions to the timeline. The chair will also approve an appropriate timeline for EMU students who change majors or for students who transfer in from a non-related program.

Students who do not pass the portfolio review will need to drop the major. They may continue to take VACA classes but will not have priority for course enrollment. Only VACA majors may enroll in VACA 481 Junior/Senior Thesis & Exhibition, internships, and independent studies.

Students who do not pass the review may re-apply to the major by requesting a new portfolio review after one year. 

Required Courses (50 SH)

  • VACA 121 Drawing (4) 

  • VACA 143 Foundations of Design I: 2-D (2)

  • VACA 144 Foundations of Design II: Digital (2) 

  • VACA 142 Graphic Design I (2) 

  • VACA 151 Photography I (2) 

  • VACA 168 Digital Media I: Video Production (4)

  • VACA 252 Photography II (4)

  • VACA 268 Digital Media II: Motion and Sound Design (4)

  • VACA 344 Web Design and Social Media (4)

  • VACA 345 Advanced Photoshop (4)

  • *VACA 368 Digital Media III: Hybrid Storytelling (4)

  • VACA 468 Digital Media IV: Advanced Video Production (4)

  • VACA 450 Junior/Senior Portfolio and Vocation (2)

  • VACA 481 Junior/Senior Thesis and Exhibition (2)

 Choose at least 4SH from the following courses:

  • *VACA 242 Graphic Design II (2)

  • *VACA 243 Graphic Design III (2)

  • *VACA 353 Alternative Photo Processes (4)

  • *VACA 354 Conservation Photography (4)

Choose one art history course:

  • *VACA 283 Art History-Western (4)

  • VACA 382 Contemporary Art (2)

  • *VACA 384 Art History-World (2)

Recommended Course

  • *THR 361 Screenwriting (2)

  • VACA 491 Internship (1-4) 

  • WRIT 210 News and Feature Writing (3)

* indicates the course is offered in alternate years