Digital Arts
Turn Your Creativity into a Career
The Digital Arts program prepares you to join fields such as television, film, commercial photography, and motion graphics. A successful career in any of these areas requires expertise in media arts and a foundation in information technology and business.
Our full-featured, two-year program includes courses in photography, studio lighting, audio/video production, entrepreneurship, web design, graphic design, and many more.
Once completed, a digital arts degree from Kirkwood tells employers you've developed a dynamic and desirable skillset.
- Multimedia Artists and Animators
- Artists and Related Workers
- Photographers
- Film and Video Editors
- Producers and Directors
- Reporters and Correspondents
- Camera Operators
- Media and Communication Workers
Graduates of the Digital Arts program will be able to:
- Design marketing strategies that integrate core business principles to achieve desired promotional outcomes.
- Create professional-quality digital photographic images for print or web output.
- Design websites following industry trends and standards.
- Create two- and three-dimensional artworks using a variety of digital processes.
- Create professional graphic presentations used in 2D design, print, web, and motion graphics.
- Operate a variety of audio and video equipment to convey a message or tell a story.
- Edit audio, photographic imagery, and video using a variety of editing techniques and software.
- Set up lighting equipment for different photographic and video production scenarios.
- Digital Photography
- Mass Media
- Video Production
- Design Fundamentals
- Digital Photography II
- Digital Art
- Advanced Television
- Audio Production
Program Costs
Digital Arts A.A.S.
Program Entry Semester: Fall 2021, Spring 2022
Year One
| TERM | FALL | SPRING | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 15 | 18 | 33 |
| Tuition: | $2,790 | $3,348 | $6,138 |
| Fees: | $125 | $270 | $395 |
| Books: | $462.75 | $319.50 | $782.25 |
Year Two
| TERM | FALL | SPRING | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 18 | 15 | 33 |
| Tuition: | $3,348 | $2,790 | $6,138 |
| Fees: | $115 | $70 | $185 |
| Books: | $463.20 | $60 | $523.20 |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED COST | $14,161.45 |
|---|
Costs provided are estimated and based on in-state tuition rates. Book cost estimates are for new books. Individual expenses may vary. These costs also do not factor in potential financial aid benefits. For a complete view of your specific cost expectation, visit our Cost Estimator Tool.
Included fees: Technology Fee, and Lab Course Fee
Current Tuition Rates per Credit Hour: $ 186 In-State; $ 249 Out-of-State; $ 372 International
Updated: 2/24/2021
Scholarships
At Kirkwood, we award more than $3 million in scholarships for students every year! You only need to apply once to be considered for all scholarships you may be eligible for, so complete your application today!
Scholarships for Digital Arts Students
- Must be pursuing an A.A. degree with career interest in music—with preference given to a band student.
- Must be enrolled in at least eight semester hours and pursuing a degree with career interest in music, theatre or art as well as degrees with other academic interests.
- Talent, reliability, grade point average and level will be considered.
- Must maintain at least eight semester hours including at least one course in a subject other than music or theatre (need not be pursuing an A.A. degree with career interest in music or theatre to apply).
- Must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average.
- Must actively contribute to the music and/or performing arts program, including enrollment in ensembles and/or productions.
- An initial audition is required.
- Must maintain at least eight semester hours, including at least one course in a subject other than music, theatre or art.
- An initial audition and/or portfolio review is required.
- Applications are screened each term to determine continuing eligibility.
- Fine and Performing Arts scholarships are awarded to students pursuing an A.A. degree with career interest in music or theatre as well as those pursuing degrees with other academic interests.
- Must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average.
- Must actively contribute to the music, theatre and/or art programs, including enrollment in ensembles and/or productions.
- Must be pursuing an A.A. degree with career interest in art, music or theatre.
- Must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average.
- Must demonstrate financial need.
- Must be a graduate of a high school in Linn County, Iowa, with preference for Cedar Rapids Community School District graduates.
- Preference given to a student pursuing a degree with career interest in fine arts.
- Must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average.
- Must demonstrate financial need.
- Must be pursuing an A.A. degree with career interest in the arts
- Must be a second year student.
- Must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
- Must indicate future plans, including how you will be associated with art on a continuing basis.
“I’ve really had a chance to become a better writer though my college writing class. It’s my favorite class I’ve had at Kirkwood. My classes at Kirkwood have helped take my writing to the next level.”
Owen Pfremmer,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa