The Digital Studies certificate explores how digital technology shapes the way we live, work, and communicate—while giving you hands-on experience creating digital media.
In the certificate courses, you will:
- explore how digital tools influence our daily lives;
- learn to design websites, produce content for social media, visualize data, and more; and
- build a portfolio of digital work that prepares you for your career and everyday digital life.
Digital Studies students approach these topics from four different perspectives:
- Digital Practice: Learn how to use digital tools to create high-quality digital content.
- Digital Media: Understand and evaluate digital media to gain insights into digital cultures.
- Digital Information: Discover how we use and create digital archives, databases, and other information tools.
- Digital Forms: Explore how design influences the way we interpret and create digital content.
Students who complete the Digital Studies certificate will be able to produce their own digital media across a variety of mediums, preparing them for their future careers while also becoming more aware of the impact digital technologies have in their everyday lives. See examples of digital media projects students have completed on our Student Showcase page.
How to Get in
Declaring the Digital Studies Certificate
Students are eligible to declare the certificate at any point in their undergraduate career. They should declare it as early as possible to plan the required coursework. Students are encouraged to meet with the Digital Studies advisor to discuss certificate requirements and ensure it fits with their academic and career goals. Students who are ready to declare the certificate now may complete this form.
Requirements
The certificate requires a minimum of six courses and 16 credits. The courses must be distributed as follows:
Core Courses
Choose one course from this list:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 200 | Introduction to Digital Communication | 3 |
| JOURN 175 | Media Fluency for the Digital Age | 3 |
| L I S 201 | The Information Society | 4 |
Distribution
Choose one course from each area (a unique course must be taken to satisfy each area):
Digital Practice (P) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 107 | Introduction to Digital Forms | 3 |
| ART 309 | Digital Art and Code | 4 |
| ART 409 | Digital Fabrication Studio | 4 |
| ART 428 | 2D Animation Studio | 4 |
| ART 429 | 3D Digital Studio I | 4 |
| COM ARTS 155 | Introduction to Digital Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 355 | Introduction to Film and TV Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 449 | Sound Cultures: Podcasting and Music | 3 |
| COM ARTS 465 | Editing and Post-production for Video and Film | 4 |
| COM ARTS 468 | Producing for Internet TV and Film | 3 |
| COM ARTS/FOLKLORE 522 | Digital Storytelling for Social Media | 3 |
| COMP SCI/L I S 102 | Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| COMP SCI 200 | Programming I | 3 |
| COMP SCI 220 | Data Science Programming I | 4 |
| GEOG 370 | Introduction to Cartography | 4 |
| JOURN 411 | Multimedia Design | 4 |
| JOURN 425 | Video Journalism | 4 |
| JOURN 445 | Creative Campaign Messages | 4 |
| JOURN 449 | Account Planning and Strategy | 4 |
| JOURN 463 | Digital Media Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 464 | Public Relations Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 465 | Social Media Marketing Communications | 4 |
| L I S 341 | Topics in Information Studies - Technological Aspects | 1-3 |
| L I S 351 | Introduction to Digital Information | 3 |
| L I S 440 | Navigating the Data Revolution: Concepts of Data & Information Science | 3 |
| L I S 500 | Code and Power | 3 |
| LSC 314 | Introduction to Digital Video Production | 3 |
| LSC 332 | Digital and Print Media Design | 3 |
| LSC 360 | Science Podcasting & Radio | 3 |
| LSC 432 | Social Media for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 450 | Documentary Photography for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 532 | Web Design for the Sciences | 3 |
Digital Media (M) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 330 | Music Industries and Popular Culture | 3 |
| COM ARTS 335 | Social Media as Literature | 3 |
| COM ARTS 343 | Human Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) | 3 |
| COM ARTS 344 | Social Media & Well-Being | 3 |
| COM ARTS 345 | Online Communication and Personal Relationships | 3 |
| COM ARTS 346 | Critical Internet Studies | 3 |
| COM ARTS 377 | Topics in Digital Studies (Communication Science & Rhetoric) | 3 |
| COM ARTS 379 | Global Technology & Digital Culture | 3 |
| COM ARTS 449 | Sound Cultures: Podcasting and Music | 3 |
| COM ARTS 459 | New Media and Society | 3 |
| COM ARTS 547 | Digital Game Cultures | 3 |
| COM ARTS 577 | Dynamics of Online Relationships | 3 |
| ENGL 178 | Digital Media, Literature, and Culture | 3 |
| JOURN 463 | Digital Media Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 464 | Public Relations Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 465 | Social Media Marketing Communications | 4 |
| JOURN 622 | The Impact of Emerging Media | 3 |
| L I S 340 | Topics in Information Studies - Social Aspects | 3 |
| L I S 510 | Human Factors in Information Security | 3 |
| L I S/NURSING 517 | Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients | 3 |
| LSC 350 | Visualizing Science and Technology | 3 |
| LSC 432 | Social Media for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 440 | Digital Media and Science Communication | 3 |
| LSC 460 | Social Media Analytics | 3 |
| MARKETNG 355 | Marketing in a Digital Age | 3 |
Digital Information (I) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 343 | Human Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) | 3 |
| COM ARTS 344 | Social Media & Well-Being | 3 |
| COM ARTS 345 | Online Communication and Personal Relationships | 3 |
| COM ARTS 377 | Topics in Digital Studies (Communication Science & Rhetoric) | 3 |
| COM ARTS 379 | Global Technology & Digital Culture | 3 |
| COM ARTS/JOURN/LSC 617 | Health Communication in the Information Age | 3 |
| GEOG 572 | Graphic Design in Cartography | 3-4 |
| JOURN/L I S 677 | Concepts and Tools for Data Analysis and Visualization | 3 |
| L I S 202 | Informational Divides and Differences in a Multicultural Society | 3 |
| L I S 301 | Information Literacies in Online Spaces | 3 |
| L I S 340 | Topics in Information Studies - Social Aspects | 3 |
| L I S 341 | Topics in Information Studies - Technological Aspects | 1-3 |
| L I S 351 | Introduction to Digital Information | 3 |
| L I S 440 | Navigating the Data Revolution: Concepts of Data & Information Science | 3 |
| L I S 500 | Code and Power | 3 |
| L I S 510 | Human Factors in Information Security | 3 |
| L I S/NURSING 517 | Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients | 3 |
| LSC 460 | Social Media Analytics | 3 |
Digital Forms (F) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 107 | Introduction to Digital Forms | 3 |
| ART 428 | 2D Animation Studio | 4 |
| ART 429 | 3D Digital Studio I | 4 |
| COM ARTS 155 | Introduction to Digital Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 335 | Social Media as Literature | 3 |
| COM ARTS 355 | Introduction to Film and TV Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 465 | Editing and Post-production for Video and Film | 4 |
| COM ARTS 468 | Producing for Internet TV and Film | 3 |
| COM ARTS/FOLKLORE 522 | Digital Storytelling for Social Media | 3 |
| GEOG 370 | Introduction to Cartography | 4 |
| GEOG 572 | Graphic Design in Cartography | 3-4 |
| JOURN 411 | Multimedia Design | 4 |
| JOURN/L I S 677 | Concepts and Tools for Data Analysis and Visualization | 3 |
| LSC 332 | Digital and Print Media Design | 3 |
| LSC 350 | Visualizing Science and Technology | 3 |
| LSC 450 | Documentary Photography for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 532 | Web Design for the Sciences | 3 |
Capstone
The Capstone cannot be completed until students are in their senior year and have completed or are enrolled in their final course of the certificate.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 605 | Digital Studies Capstone | 1 |
Residence and Quality of Work
- At least 9 Certificate credits in Residence
- Minimum 2.000 GPA in all Certificate courses
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
Learning Outcomes
- To understand key theories and concepts related to digital studies and the historical context surrounding the creation of digital technologies.
- To gain familiarity with methods, concepts and tools needed to research and evaluate information related to digital studies.
- To think critically about how digital technologies work and their impact on society.
- To be able to create strategic communication content and self-expression using digital tools.
- To understand the professional and ethical principles related to the field of digital studies.
Advising and Careers
Make an appointment to talk with the Digital Studies advisor through Starfish.
Connecting with the Digital Studies advisor as early as possible helps you create a meaningful course plan and stay on track as you complete the certificate requirements. The advisor is available to consult on a variety of topics including:
- declaring the certificate;
- course selection;
- studying abroad;
- job and internship opportunities related to digital media; and
- preparing for the job market after graduation.
Course Planning
Resources and Career Preparation
Digital Media Student Organization
The Digital Media Organization spotlights the wealth of career opportunities in the digital age through diverse speakers and interactive activities. Our goal is to inspire and empower attendees by providing a comprehensive glimpse into the vast landscape of digital employment.
Creative Support
Digital Studies Alumni + Mentor Program
Since 2012, over 2,000 students have graduated with a Digital Studies certificate. To learn more about what our alumni are up to, visit the Alumni Profiles page. Digital Studies students also have the opportunity to participate in the Alumni Mentor Program, giving them the opportunity to work one-on-one with an alumni in their field for one academic year.
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students