BA in Journalism and Media Studies

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Rutgers University Newark

Program Overview

The University of New Mexico’s BA in Film & Digital Arts gives students a flexible foundation in filmmaking, animation, gaming and film history, with four concentration options designed around different creative and technical interests. It is especially suited to students who want to combine film and digital production with areas such as animation, game development, screenwriting, visual arts, technology or cinema studies.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year:

Students build foundational digital-media skills through courses such as FDMA 1210 Digital Video Production I, FDMA 1520 Introduction to Digital Media, and FDMA 2530 Introduction to 3D Modeling. These courses introduce video production, digital-media concepts and 3D techniques that can support later work in animation, gaming and film production.

Second Year:

Students begin developing more specialized creative abilities through courses such as FDMA 2714 Introduction to Animation, FDMA 2768 Introduction to Game Development, and FDMA 310 Writing Digital Narrative. Depending on their concentration, students can begin building skills in animation, interactive media, game development or digital storytelling while continuing to explore the relationship between narrative and technology.

Third Year:

Students progress toward advanced production and creative practice through courses such as FDMA 302 Digital Game Design, FDMA 324 Introduction to Screenwriting, and FDMA 350 Advanced Screenwriting. Students interested in production can also explore areas such as directing, cinematography, documentary production, digital post-production and audio technology.

Fourth Year:

Advanced study allows students to bring together their technical, artistic and storytelling abilities through options such as FDMA 401 Digital Post Production, FDMA 402 Documentary Film Production, FDMA 406 Virtual Reality Cinema, FDMA 492 Film and Digital Arts Internship, and FDMA 496 Undergraduate Production Project. Students pursuing honors can also complete FDMA 499 Honors Thesis, giving them an opportunity to develop substantial independent creative or research work.

Focus Areas:

Film Production, Animation, Gaming, Film History and Criticism, digital media, cinematography, screenwriting, directing, documentary production, digital post-production, 3D modeling, game development, virtual reality cinema, audio technology, visual culture

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop filmmaking and digital-production skills, creative storytelling, screenwriting, animation, game-development and visual-media abilities; learn to use professional production technologies and software; build critical understanding of cinema and visual culture; collaborate on creative projects; and develop the technical and artistic skills needed for film, animation, gaming and digital-media careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The BA in Film & Digital Arts does not list a separate external professional accreditation on the university’s official program or academic-review pages. The program is offered within UNM’s College of Fine Arts and is subject to the university’s academic and degree requirements.

Reputation (Employability & Recognition):

UNM describes Albuquerque as a major filmmaking hub and highlights the city’s connection to the film industry, including Netflix’s production presence. The Film & Digital Arts department also reports collaborations with Netflix, Sony Imageworks, the New Mexico Film Office, Albuquerque Film Office and Albuquerque Game Developers Guild, giving students opportunities to build relationships with the wider creative industry.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA in Film & Digital Arts is strongly practice-oriented, with students able to work with professional-grade cameras, sound, lighting, post-production equipment and high-end editing facilities. The program also provides specialized spaces for film production, animation, gaming, immersive media and sound, while internships and industry collaborations allow students to turn classroom skills into professional experience.

• Film & Digital Arts Equipment Cage — Students in eligible production courses can access professional-grade cameras, sound equipment, lighting, grip equipment, A/V equipment, Wacom tablets, gaming peripherals and high-end editing tools.

• Mesa Del Sol Aperture Center — The facility includes a 100-seat theatre, production Flex space with a black box, lighting grid and green screen, Mac and PC computer labs, a render farm, project rooms, a sound-recording lab and mixing booth.

• ARTSLab — The Art, Research, Technology & Science Lab supports education, research, production and presentation in emerging immersive and interactive media.

• CERIA — The Center for Environmental Research, Informatics & Art houses Film & Digital Arts classrooms, faculty offices, editing rooms and the Equipment Cage, giving students a dedicated environment for production and post-production work.

• Animation Pathway — Students can progress from FDMA 2714 Introduction to Animation to FDMA 404 Animation II, FDMA 405 Advanced Maya Production, and FDMA 415 Animation III, developing increasingly advanced animation skills.

• Gaming Pathway — Students can study FDMA 2768 Introduction to Game Development, FDMA 302 Digital Game Design, and FDMA 403 Advanced Game Development, alongside 3D modeling and animation.

• Virtual Reality Cinema — FDMA 406 Virtual Reality Cinema gives students an opportunity to explore immersive storytelling and emerging cinematic technologies.

• Film & Digital Arts Internships — Students are encouraged to complete internships to gain real-world experience, build portfolios and network with industry professionals; approved internships can also be completed for academic credit.

• Industry Partnerships — Collaborations with Netflix, Sony Imageworks, the New Mexico Film Office, Albuquerque Film Office and Albuquerque Game Developers Guild help students develop creative relationships and access real-world opportunities.

• The Show — UNM’s Film & Digital Arts department has developed a large-scale real-world moviemaking experience in which students take leadership roles while working alongside industry professionals.

• Mentor Series — Film professionals and industry figures participate in the department’s ongoing Mentor Series, giving students exposure to professional advice and career perspectives.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA provides a broad creative and technical foundation that can lead into film and television production, animation, gaming, digital media, advertising, post-production and related creative industries. UNM specifically identifies opportunities across film/TV studios, production companies, advertising and marketing organizations, pre- and post-production companies, video-game studios and animation studios.

Typical job roles: Film Producer, Video Editor, Animator, Game Designer

Students can strengthen their transition from university to professional work through UNM’s career resources, internships and industry connections:

• UNM Career Services — Students can access career appointments, workshops, employer recruiting resources and Handshake through the university’s Career Services office.

• Lobo Career Connection — The Film & Digital Arts department directs students to this career portal for hundreds of internship, co-op and postgraduate opportunities, employer information sessions, résumé and cover-letter resources, and recruiting opportunities.

• Industry Connections — Partnerships with Netflix, Sony Imageworks, the New Mexico Film Office, Albuquerque Film Office and Albuquerque Game Developers Guild provide connections to the film, animation and gaming industries.

• Netflix Ecosystem — UNM reports that numerous students and alumni have worked on Netflix productions, while the company’s presence in Albuquerque has expanded the local production ecosystem and created additional opportunities for film students and graduates.

• Portfolio Development — Internships are specifically positioned by the department as a way for students to gain real-world experience, build a portfolio and network with industry professionals.

• Employment & Salary Figures — The official UNM Film & Digital Arts career materials identify industry sectors and employers but do not publish a program-specific graduate employment rate or salary figure; therefore, no unsupported salary statistic is presented here.

• Long-Term Professional Value — The BA’s combination of film production, digital media, animation, gaming, storytelling and critical studies provides a flexible foundation that can support career changes across the broader creative and digital-media industries.

• Graduation Preparation — Students can complete internships, production projects, honors research and advanced coursework that help them graduate with practical experience and portfolio-ready work rather than relying only on classroom theory.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced study in areas such as Film & Digital Arts, Film, Digital Media, Animation, Gaming, Art History, Visual Culture or related creative disciplines. UNM’s College of Fine Arts also offers graduate programs including the MFA in Art Studio, MA in Art History and PhD in Art History, while students can pursue other specialized graduate programs in film, media, technology and creative arts at UNM or elsewhere.