Digital Arts

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.

Apply Today Program Details

  • 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
  • 2D Design
  • Digital Photography II
  • Digital Art
  • Advanced Television
  • Audio Production

Students in Kirkwood's Digital Arts program are encouraged to join the Kirkwood chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), the only national Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus.

FCCLA is one of eight recognized members of the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations (NCC-CTSO). CTSOs are co-curricular groups that help students in career and technical education programs further their knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and competitions.

Program Costs

Digital Arts A.A.S. 

School Year: 2024–25

Program Entry Semester: Fall, Spring

Fall Spring Fall Spring Total
Credit Hours per Semester 15 18 16 15 64
In-State Tuition $3,255 $3,906 $3,472 $3,255 $13,860
Technology Fee per Semester $50 $50 $50 $50 $200
Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Conferences/Seminars $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) $360 $465 $340 $525 $1,690
Course/Section Fees $165 $130 $0 $20 $315
Laptop (required devices) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Testing Fees $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Third Party Credentials $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Tool Sets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Uniforms $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Other $550 $0 $0 $0 $550
Total Estimated Cost $4,380 $4,551 $3,862 $3,850 $16,643

 

Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).

Fees and costs are subject to change. To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.


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!

Apply for Scholarships

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.

Kirkwood Student Natalie Dvorak

“I didn’t expect to find so many opportunities to get involved with other students and campus groups at a community college. But Kirkwood has a lot to offer in terms of student life, clubs, and other events happening on or around campus.”

Natalie Dvorak,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa


Questions?

Arts & Humanities
2092 Cedar Hall
319-398-4913
arts@kirkwood.edu