Bachelor Degree in Communication & Digital Media

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

The American University of Rome

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Digital Media at The American University of Rome (AUR) blends strong theoretical foundations with hands-on skills in areas like social media, PR, online journalism, and advertising, preparing you to excel in the global communications industry. It's perfect for creative students passionate about how media shapes our multicultural world, offering intercultural communication, organizational strategies, and digital network management—all set against Rome's vibrant history and politics as your real-world classroom.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1 lays the groundwork by immersing you in the essentials of media and visual storytelling, starting with Media History to explore how communication has evolved, Introduction to Visual Culture to decode images in society, and Digital Design: Print Graphics for practical design skills. You'll build confidence in analyzing media's role in culture while experimenting with tools that bring ideas to life, all inspired by Rome's iconic backdrop.

Year 2 dives deeper into production and strategy, featuring courses like Principles of Marketing to master audience engagement, Podcasting and Vidcasting for creating compelling audio-visual content, and Digital Media and Society to examine tech's societal impact. Hands-on projects here sharpen your ability to craft messages that resonate globally, blending classroom theory with off-campus adventures in Europe's media hub.

Year 3 focuses on advanced ethics and organization, with standout modules such as Media Ethics to navigate moral dilemmas in journalism, Organizational Communication for leading teams in dynamic environments, and Digital Communication Strategy to design campaigns for social networks. You'll tackle real-world challenges, like analyzing mass media trends, preparing you to communicate effectively across cultures.

Year 4 culminates in your Capstone Senior Project, where you integrate everything from Cyberlaw and E-Commerce to understand legal digital landscapes, alongside synthesizing skills in multi-media production. This year polishes your expertise for professional launch, often involving collaborations with Rome's cutting-edge firms.

Focus areas: Tailor your path through flexible "clusters" like Journalism & Writing, or explore digital strategy, visual culture, and media production to match your passions.

Learning outcomes: You'll graduate with excellent writing for digital/print, deep media theory knowledge, critical analysis skills, multi-media tech proficiency, ethical awareness, and the ability to solve real-world problems in diverse global settings—plus research chops using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Professional alignment (accreditation): AUR is licensed by the State of Delaware Department of Education to award bachelor degrees and authorized in Italy by the Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, ensuring your U.S.-accredited degree holds strong international value.

Reputation (employability): AUR grads thrive with hands-on experience from internships at top outlets like National Geographic and Cinecittà, plus direct ties to Rome's innovative European companies—positioning you for success in a field where communication drives every industry.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At The American University of Rome, our Bachelor's Degree in Communication & Digital Media puts experiential learning at the heart of your education, turning Rome's vibrant media scene into your real-world training ground. You'll build hands-on skills in video production, social media strategy, photojournalism, and digital storytelling right from the start, using the city's creative agencies, cultural hubs, and global organizations as your classroom—whether that's interning at a Rome design agency or capturing urban stories through photography off-campus.

This practical focus equips you with the tools and confidence to launch into careers in PR, journalism, advertising, or digital media: here are some standout ways our program delivers it.

- Internships with top organizations: Dive into professional roles at places like Rome design agencies (e.g., video production and marketing strategy with creative teams), the American Academy in Rome (archival work preserving cultural media), the European Parliament, embassies, NGOs, and cultural studios—75% of AUR students complete credit-bearing internships tailored to communication fields.
- Academic field trips and site-based courses: Explore Rome's history, politics, and digital creativity on immersive trips, like comparing urban architecture in Rome and Lisbon through black-and-white photography in Introduction to Photojournalism, or analyzing digital activism at real-world sites.
- Multimedia production and digital tools training: Gain expertise in communication technologies for multi-media projects, including video production, post-production for social media, photojournalism, and tools for journalism, writing, and mass media—honing skills like audience-adapted messaging and ethical media practices.
- Group projects and real-world application: Tackle collaborative work in courses like Reflections on the Future Society, examining digital footprints in activism and broadcasting, or organizational communication projects that apply theory to Rome's multicultural media landscape.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At The American University of Rome, our Bachelor's Degree in Communication & Digital Media puts experiential learning at the heart of your education, so you're not just studying communication—you're living it through hands-on projects, real-world applications, and Rome's vibrant media scene. You'll build practical skills like video production, photojournalism, and digital content creation right from courses such as *Introduction to Photojournalism*, where you hunt for stories in Rome's streets, or off-campus sessions that tap into the city's role as a hub for digital creativity and intercultural communication. With Rome as your classroom, you'll gain the tools and confidence to thrive in global industries like social media, PR, advertising, and journalism.

Here are some standout ways our program delivers that real-world edge::
- Credit-bearing internships with top organizations like creative agencies (e.g., Rome Design Agency for video production and social media), the European Parliament, embassies, NGOs, and cultural institutions—75% of AUR students complete them, turning theory into career-boosting experience.
- Academic field trips to historical sites, cultural landmarks, and European destinations, using Rome and Italy as a "living textbook" for courses on digital media, grassroots activism, and urban storytelling through photography.
- Group projects and multimedia production in classes like *Reflections on the Future Society*, where you'll analyze digital footprints, create audience-adapted messages, and collaborate on content using communication technologies—honing skills in writing, ethical media practices, and research methodologies.
- Site-based and off-campus learning, drawing on Rome's politics, history, and design sector for practical immersion, including comparisons of urban architecture via black-and-white photography between Rome and cities like Lisbon.
- Access to professional networks through faculty like Program Director Professor Lorenzo Coretti, an expert in social media and TV production, plus partnerships like archival work at the American Academy in Rome.