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Digital Media Literacy ,BA

Digital Media Literacy, BA

Academic programs / Undergraduate degrees / Digital Media Literacy

Communication, Cybersecurity, Democracy, Education, Fake News, Journalism, Media Literacy, Misinformation, Privacy, Public Policy, approved for STEM-OPT extension, literacy, media

With a degree in digital media literacy, you can become an active, informed participant of the digital world, ready to take on societal issues pertaining to media, technology, privacy and information verification.

Program description

Organizations of all sizes, public and private, are learning to cope with unprecedented changes in how people interact with and use information. The BA program in digital media literacy prepares students to be at the forefront of the important strategic and ethical issues related to digital media, including automation, verification, security and privacy.

Graduates of the program are able to use advanced tools and tactics to analyze the context of the media people consume. They verify and interpret information to make decisions that improve their own lives and benefit the larger society.

STEM-OPT for international students on F-1 visas

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.

The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the degree through ASU Online.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: No
  • First required math course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
    or any math course that meets the MATH designation
  • Math intensity: Generalprogram math intensity general

Required courses (Major Map)
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.

Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

ASU Local

It is now possible to earn an ASU degree with ASU Local, an integrated college experience in which students take advantage of in-person success coaching and programming experiences on site while completing one of 130+ undergraduate online degree programs, all of which come with online faculty interaction and tutoring support.

Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

  • Evaluate the accuracy and credibility of digital media sources and information.
  • Participate in digital media networks actively, safely, and ethically.
  • Evaluate the potential global impacts of future developments within information ecosystems.
  • Evaluate the role of communication in a free society.
Global opportunities
Global experience

With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available, digital media literacy students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S., or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.

Career opportunities

Graduates of this program pursue a variety of professional and educational opportunities. The program's liberal arts foundation --- including critical thinking, communication, research and problem-solving --- gives students the intellectual agility to thrive in many fields. Specialization in the technical, ethical, legal, social and economic aspects of digital media is especially valuable, as employers of all sizes try to leverage digital media in serving consumers.

As organizations try to keep up with digital transformation and plan for the future, having a deep understanding of how digital ecosystems work is critical. Demand for graduates of digital media literacy in fields such as health care communication, public service and sustainability is anticipated to rise, and the U.S. Department of Labor categorizes many jobs in these areas as having a bright outlook in the job market.

Given increasing emphasis on teaching media literacy at every age level, graduates can expect to find employment opportunities in a variety of educational settings, and some students may pursue graduate school in disciplines such as education, library science, law, public policy, business, public relations, digital strategy and journalism.

Career example titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience, geographical location, and required advanced degrees or certifications may affect pay scales.


Career *Growth *Median salary
7.2%
$59,990
6.5%
$47,290
2.3%
$47,650
3.0%
$61,660
-3.3%
$55,960
4.3%
$65,000
6.1%
$67,440
-0.2%
$49,380
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook

Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

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