Film and Media Production, Area of Concentration in Digital Media (AAS)
Award: Associate of Applied Science Degree
No. of credits required: 60
For more information: Contact Assistant Professor Alex Dew, 443-412-2358, adew@harford.edu; or Admissions, 443-412-2109.
Program Description
This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in digital media, web-based media, and related fields, and for transfer to four-year institutions. Students gain a well-rounded depth of education in addition to an emphasis on social and new media, film production, digital video and audio, multimedia writing, and on-air performance.
Program Goals
Upon completion of this degree program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate media literacy.
- Appraise present-day media content, operation, regulation, impact, or implications.
- Apply current technology to produce or market media content.
- Convey ideas via digital or web-based media.
Employment Information
Digital film and media producers, directors, writers, and on-air talent are employed by film production companies, new media platforms, and television and radio stations. They shoot and edit digital audio and video; write online, social media, journalism, and commercial copy; anchor podcasts, news, and sports desks; record music and voice artists; and perform various crew positions on narrative film and television sets, among other technical and creative endeavors.
Entry-level positions in this field are promising, and growth is in line with or faster than the national average for most positions. However, minimum standards and employment competition are high. Students are encouraged to prepare a portfolio and a résumé prior to seeking employment. See also the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report on broadcast, sound, and video technicians, film and video editors and camera operators, and producers and directors.
Field Trip Statement
Courses in this program may require field trips.
Degree Requirements
Recommended Course Sequence
| First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CIS 102 | Introduction to Information Sciences (GI) | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) | 3 |
| MC 101 | Introduction to Digital Media | 3 |
| MC 102 | Audio Production | 3 |
| MC 103 | TV Studio Production | 3 |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CMST 101 | Speech Fundamentals (GI) | 3 |
| MC 203 | Advanced Audio Production | 3 |
| MC 204 | Video Production | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective (GM) | 3 | |
| General Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| MUS 222 | Popular Music of the United States (GAH) | 3 |
| MC 201 | Writing for the Electronic Media | 3 |
| MC 207 | Advanced Video Production | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Independent Media Project | ||
| Introduction to Journalism (GAH) | ||
| History of Film (GAH) 2 | ||
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| MC 104 | Electronic Media Performance | 3 |
| MC 283 | Field Project: Announcing/Production in Electronic Media | 3 |
| Behavioral/Social Science Elective (GB) | 3 | |
| Biological/Physical Lab Science Elective (GL) | 4 | |
| General Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Choose General Electives upon advisement and according to personal or career interests or to the requirements of the institution to which transfer is planned.
- 2
Eligible students may choose Honors-level MC 206 History of Film (GAH). See the Honors Programs and Societies webpage for more information.
General Education Degree Requirements
Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)
Part-Time Progression Plan
The part-time progression plan for programs of study has been developed as a helpful example for students to guide their academic journey. This plan outlines a likely sequence of courses and milestones over three years to help students visualize their academic path. It is important to note that this progression plan is based solely on the core requirements outlined in the approved program of study and does not include any additional requirements. Each student’s experience may vary based on their specific interests, course availability, and academic history. Therefore, students are encouraged to work closely with their academic advisor.
Part-Time General Education Electives
To earn an Associate degree, students must complete at least 60 college-level credits, including a required number of General Education (Gen Ed) credits:
- AA, AS, and AAT degrees require 28–36 General Education credits as part of the 60 total. This includes a minimum of:
- 6 credits of Arts/Humanities (GAH)
- 6 credits of Behavioral/Social Sciences (GB)
- 3 credits of English Composition (GE) - satisfied by ENG 101 English Composition (GE)
- 4 credits of Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
- 3 credits of Mathematics (GM)
- 3 credits of Biological/Physical Science (GS)
- AAS degrees require at least 18 General Education credits, including one course from each of the following categories: GAH, GB, GE, GL, and GM.
General Education courses must be selected from the college’s approved list and may be further specified by individual degree programs. Unless a General Education course is specifically required by a program, the elective General Education courses listed in the recommended sequence are intended as suggestions, not mandatory selections.
General Education Degree Requirements
Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)
Recommended Part-Time Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| MC 101 | Introduction to Digital Media | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) | 3 |
| MC 103 | TV Studio Production | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Winter | ||
| CIS 102 | Introduction to Information Sciences (GI) | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| MC 102 | Audio Production | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective (GM): | 3-4 | |
| MC 204 | Video Production | 3 |
| Contemporary Mathematics (GM) | ||
| College Algebra (GM) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics (GM) | ||
| Credits | 9-10 | |
| Summer | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL): | 4 | |
| Fundamentals of Biology (GL) | ||
| Earth Science (GS) and Earth Science Laboratory (GL) |
||
| Introduction to Environmental Science (GS) and Environmental Science Laboratory (GL) |
||
| MC 201 | Writing for the Electronic Media | 3 |
| MC 207 | Advanced Video Production | 3 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Winter | ||
| CMST 101 | Speech Fundamentals (GI) | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| MC 203 | Advanced Audio Production | 3 |
| MC 104 | Electronic Media Performance | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| History of Film (GAH) | ||
| Introduction to Journalism (GAH) | ||
| Independent Media Project | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| MUS 222 | Popular Music of the United States (GAH) | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MC 283 | Field Project: Announcing/Production in Electronic Media | 3 |
| Behavioral/Social Science Elective (GB): | 3 | |
| General Psychology (GB) | ||
| Introduction to Sociology (GB) | ||
| History of Western Civilization II (GB) | ||
| Physical Education Elective (if needed due to 3 credit GM) | 1 | |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 60-61 | |