Digital Media

Why Digital Media?

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Digital Media Communication is designed to prepare students with a comprehensive set of core skills that can be transferred to positions in a variety of industries. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to seek entry-level employment in jobs requiring web-design, graphic design, video production, motion graphics, and animation skills.  Possible employers include media outlets, marketing departments, advertising agencies or any organization with a current or planned online presence.

Program Details

Digital Media

Format
On Campus, Online, Hybrid
In-District Tuition
$169/credit hour
Out-of-District Tuition
$337/credit hour
Degree Requirements
View Degree Requirements
Certificates
View Certificates
Average Time to Complete
2 years
Financial Options
Financial Aid is available.

Program Highlights

Career Pathways

  • Social Media Manager 
  • Graphic Designer 
  • Photographer 
  • Graphic Artist 
  • Marketing Assistant 
  • Promotions Specialist 
  • Layout Artist 
  • Digital Imaging 
  • Video Producer 
  • Digital Media Specialist 
  • Animator 
  • Videographer 
  • Web Developer 
  • Web Designer 
  • Film and Video Editor

Local employers hiring Heartland graduates include:

  • State Farm Insurance
  • TEK Systems
  • COUNTRY Financial Services
  • Meltdown Creative
  • The Copy Shop
  • Heritage Operations Group
  • Moving Forward Today
  • Kickapoo Tearoom & Boutique

Heartland and Industry Credentials

  • Associate of Applied Science - Digital Media Communication
  • Digital Media Core Skills Certificate
  • Media Design Skills Certificate
  • Video Production & Animation Skills Certificate (Heartland Track)
  • Web Design Skills Certificate (Heartland Track)

Special Program Information

An Associate of Applied Science is designed to give you practical, hands-on instruction in to prepare you to directly enter the workforce in a specific field. These programs are not generally transferable for a Bachelor's degree.

A transfer agreement is in place with Illinois State University for a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communications Technology. See an advisor for more details.

The program is located in our brand new Digital Media Lab located in the Advanced Manufacturing Center.   

Average Class Size

20 Students - receive more individualized attention

Course Information

  • Some classes are offered in-person during the day and online
  • Classes are 16 weeks
  • Math and Literacy placement are required

Completion Time 

  • 24 months - 4 semesters 
  • 61 credit hours 
  • See an advisor for a detailed plan that works for you

Get Involved

  • Skills USA
Apply Now Request Info Faculty Directory

Degree Requirements

Associate in Applied Science - Digital Media

60 Credit Hours

General Education Requirements
Course Hours

ENGL 101  - Critical Reading & Writing  or ENGL 105 - Writing for Industry

*ENGL 105 does not count as IAI General Education credit

3
COMM 101 - Introduction to Oral Communication

3

Humanities or Social & Behavioral Science - Any one IAI Humanities or IAI Social & Behavioral Science course

3

Life or Physical Science - Any one IAI Life Science or IAI Physical Science course

3-4

Mathematics - Any college-level Mathematics course or TMAT 103 - Technical Mathematics

*TMAT 103 does not count as IAI General Education credit

3-4

Total Credit Hours

15
Digital Media Core Requirements
Course Hours

BUSN 110 - Introduction to Business or BUSN 230 - Principles of Marketing or BTEC 250 - Small Business Management

3
BTEC 145 - Employment Success Strategies or SCED 110 - Workplace Success

1
CTEC 101 - Introduction to Computers

3
DMED 101 - Introduction to Digital Media

3
DMED 110 - Webpage Development

3
DMED 120 - Computer Imaging & Design

3
DMED 130 - Digital Layout & Design

3
DMED 145 - Video Production

3
DMED 245 - Advanced Video Production

3
DMED 260 - Computer Animation

3
DMED 291 - Design Fusion

3

Electives - either HCC or ISU Transfer Track

15
Illinois State University Transfer Track
Course Hours
CAD 101 - Computer Aided Design

3
DMED 132 [ISU TEC 150] - Graphic Communication Technology (Illinois State University Course)

3
DMED 257 [ISU TEC 257] - Print Media Production (Illinois State University Course)

3
Fine Arts - Any IAI Fine Art Course

3
Humanities or Fine Arts - Any IAI Humanities or IAI Fine Arts course

3
HCC Track
Course Hours
DMED 147 - Video Animation & Motion Graphics

3
DMED 150 - Interactive Digital Media

3
DMED 210 - Advanced Webpage Design

3
DMED 290 - Advanced Media Production

3

Electives - Any college level course(s)

3

Information is subject to change. Please check with an academic advisor for current course offerings and program requirements. Current students with continual enrollment may graduate under the current program requirements or any program requirements in effect since first enrollment.

Request Info

Certificates

Digital Media Core Skills Certificate

The Digital Media Core Skills Certificate gives students a well-rounded set of skills in digital media—from graphic design and web page development to print layouts and video production. By the time students finish the program, they will have a solid understanding of the whole media production process and know how to create content for every type of media. The courses included in this certificate can be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science – Digital Media Communication (Heartland and ISU Track).

Career Pathways 

  • Multimedia specialist
  • Social Media Manager
  • Graphic Designer
  • Photographer
  • Graphic Artist
  • Marketing Assistant
  • Promotions Specialist
  • Layout Artist
  • Digital Imaging
  • Video Producer
  • Digital Media Specialist
  • Animator
  • Videographer
  • Web Developer
  • Web Designer
  • Film and Video Editor

Local employers hiring Heartland graduates include:

  • State Farm Insurance
  • TEK Systems
  • COUNTRY Financial Services
  • Meltdown Creative
  • The Copy Shop
  • Heritage Operations Group
  • Moving Forward Today
  • Kickapoo Tearoom & Boutique 

Heartland and Industry Credentials

  • Digital Media Core Skills Certificate

Special Program Information

Program is located in our brand new Digital Media Lab located in the Advanced Manufacturing Center.

Average Class Size

  • 20 Students - receive more individualized attention

Course Information

  • Classes are in-person during the day and online
  • Classes are 16 weeks
  • Math and Literacy placement are not required 

Completion Time

  • 6 months - 1 semester
  • 16 credit hours 
  • See an advisor for a detailed plan that works for you

Get Involved

  • Skills USA
Certificate Requirements
Course Hours

BTEC 145 - Employment Success Strategies or SCED 110 - Workplace Success

1

DMED 101 - Introduction to Digital Media

3
DMED 110 - Web Page Development

3

DMED 120 - Computer Imaging & Design

3

DMED 130 - Media Design Fundamentals

3

DMED 145 - Video Production

3

Total Credit Hours

16

Request Digital Media Core Skills Info

Media Design Skills Certificate

The Media Design Skills Certificate focuses on developing the knowledge and skills needed to create polished, professional graphic designs for print, video, and web media. Students build a strong foundation in core graphic design principles and apply those concepts by creating high-quality visuals suitable for multiple media platforms.

The courses included in this certificate can be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Digital Media Communication (Heartland Track). 

Career Pathways 

  • Multimedia specialist
  • Social Media Manager
  • Graphic Designer
  • Photographer
  • Graphic Artist
  • Marketing Assistant
  • Promotions Specialist
  • Layout Artist
  • Digital Imaging
  • Video Producer
  • Digital Media Specialist
  • Animator
  • Videographer
  • Web Developer
  • Web Designer
  • Film and Video Editor

Local employers hiring Heartland graduates include:

  • State Farm Insurance
  • TEK Systems
  • COUNTRY Financial Services
  • Meltdown Creative
  • The Copy Shop
  • Heritage Operations Group
  • Moving Forward Today
  • Kickapoo Tearoom & Boutique 

Heartland and Industry Credentials

  •  Media Design Skills Certificate 

Special Program Information

This program is not covered by financial aid, however, students are eligible to apply for the work ready scholarship or you can explore other funding options here. 

Program can be completed fully online.

Program is located in our brand new Digital Media Lab.  

Average Class Size

  • 20 Students - receive more individualized attention

Course Information

  • Classes are in-person during the day and online
  • Classes are 16 weeks
  • Math and Literacy placement are not required 

Completion Time

  • 12 months – 2 semesters if starting in the Fall
  • 18 months – 3 semesters if starting in the Spring
  • 12 credit hours 
  • See an advisor for a detailed plan that works for you

Get Involved

  • Skills USA
Certificate Requirements
Course Hours

DMED 101 - Introduction to Digital Media

3

DMED 120 - Computer Imaging & Design

3

DMED 130 - Media Design Fundamentals

3

DMED 291 - Design Fusion

3

Total Credit Hours

12

Request Media Design Skills Info

Video Production and Animation Skills Certificate

The Video Production and Animation Skills Certificate gives students hands-on experience in creating professional video content. Students learn the basics of shooting and editing high-quality video and how to bring projects to life with motion graphics and 3D animation. The courses included in this certificate can be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science – Digital Media Communication (Heartland Track). 

Career Pathways 

  • Multimedia specialist
  • Social Media Manager
  • Graphic Designer
  • Photographer
  • Graphic Artist
  • Marketing Assistant
  • Promotions Specialist
  • Digital Imaging
  • Video Producer
  • Digital Media Specialist
  • Animator
  • Videographer
  • Film and Video Editor

Local employers hiring Heartland graduates include:

  • State Farm Insurance
  • TEK Systems
  • COUNTRY Financial Services
  • Meltdown Creative
  • The Copy Shop
  • Heritage Operations Group
  • Moving Forward Today
  • Kickapoo Tearoom & Boutique 

Heartland and Industry Credentials

  • Video Production & Animations Skills Certificate

Special Program Information

This program is not covered by financial aid, however, students are eligible to apply for the work ready scholarship or you can explore other funding options here. 
 
Program is located in our brand new Digital Media Lab.

Average Class Size

  • 20 Students - receive more individualized attention

Course Information

  • Classes are in-person during the day and online
  • Classes are 16 weeks
  • Math and Literacy placement are not required 

Completion Time

  • 12 months – 2 semesters if starting in the Fall
  • 18 months – 3 semesters if starting in the Spring
  • 12 credit hours 
  • See an advisor for a detailed plan that works for you

Get Involved

  • Skills USA
Certificate Requirements
Course Hours

DMED 145 - Video Production

3

DMED 147 - Video Animation & Motion Graphics

3

DMED 245 - Advanced Video Production

3

DMED 260 - Computer Animation

3

Total Credit Hours

12

Request Video production Skills Info

Web Design Skills Certificate

The Web Design Skills Certificate helps students build a strong foundation in computer and internet basics. Students learn how to design user-friendly interfaces, code with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and manage websites using a content management system like WordPress. Students also gain experience creating graphics, providing the tools needed to pursue entry-level positions in web design.

The courses included in this certificate can be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Digital Media Communication (Heartland Track). 

Career Pathways 

  • Multimedia specialist
  • Social Media Manager
  • Graphic Designer
  • Marketing Assistant
  • Web Developer
  • Web Designer

Local employers hiring Heartland graduates include:

  • State Farm Insurance
  • TEK Systems
  • COUNTRY Financial Services
  • Meltdown Creative
  • The Copy Shop
  • Heritage Operations Group
  • Moving Forward Today
  • Kickapoo Tearoom & Boutique 

Heartland and Industry Credentials

  •  Web Design Skills Certificate 

Special Program Information

This program is not covered by financial aid, however, students are eligible to apply for the work ready scholarship or you can explore other funding options here. 
 
Program can be completed fully online. 
 
Program is located in our brand new Digital Media Lab.  

Average Class Size

  • 20 Students - receive more individualized attention

Course Information

  • Classes are in-person during the day and online
  • Classes are 16 weeks
  • Math and Literacy placement are not required 

Completion Time

  • 12 months – 2 semesters if starting in the Spring
  • 18 months – 3 semesters if starting in the Fall
  • 12 credit hours 
  • See an advisor for a detailed plan that works for you

Get Involved

  • Skills USA
Certificate Requirements
Course Hours

DMED 101 - Introduction to Digital Media

3

DMED 110 - Web Page Development

3

DMED 150 - Interactive Digital Media

3

DMED 210 - Advanced Web Page Design

3

Total Credit Hours

12

Request Web Design Skills Info

Information is subject to change. Please check with an academic advisor for current course offerings and program requirements. Current students with continual enrollment may graduate under the current program requirements or any program requirements in effect since first enrollment.

Careers Pathways

The U.S. Department of Education's gainful employment regulations require disclosure of certain program information to students and prospective students.

Please review the employment information pertaining to your degree or certificate by selecting your intended program at the Heartland Community College Career Coach.

For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions visit the U.S Department of Education College Scorecard site.

  • $0

    Application Fee

  • 70+

    Programs of Study

Contact Information

Career & Technical Education Division

SCB 2400
1500 W Raab Road
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: 309-268-8860
Fax: 309-268-7963
Email: jess.washington@heartland.edu

 

Career & Technical Education Contacts

Jess Washington 

Program Assistant – Career & Technical Education Division
Email: Jess.Washington@heartland.edu
Phone: (309) 268-8871

Career & Technical Education Leadership

Adam Campbell

Dean, Career & Technical Education
SCB 2410

Kortney Watts

Associate Dean, Career & Technical Education
SCB 2409