Undergraduate

Digital Communication Design: Digital Marketing

Learn how to create engaging digital content and develop data-driven marketing strategies across online platforms.

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Location

Online

Courses

29*

Credit

120 hrs.*

Full-time

Varies (Transfer up to 90 credits)

Part-time

Varies (Transfer up to 90 credits)

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College of Professional Studies

The online Bachelor of Science in Digital Communication Design with a Digital Marketing option at the University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies provides students with a foundation for understanding how communication, design, and marketing strategies work together in digital environments. Students learn to create clear, engaging content and develop data-informed campaigns across platforms such as social media, web, and digital advertising.

Through applied projects and portfolio development, the program prepares students to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and support digital marketing initiatives.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

College of Professional Studies

What is the Digital Marketing Option in Digital Communication Design?

The Bachelor of Science in Digital Communication Design with a specialized option in Digital Marketing centers on developing and refining strong communication skills for a digitally-driven world. Students learn to craft clear, engaging messages and translate complex ideas into compelling visual, written, and interactive content for diverse audiences. The program integrates communication strategy with design and digital marketing, emphasizing audience analysis, storytelling, and data-informed decision making. Through hands-on projects in areas such as social media, web content, branding, and campaign development, students build a portfolio that showcases both creative work and communication impact, preparing them for in-demand roles across marketing, media, and related fields.

Why choose the Digital Marketing Option in Digital Communication Design at the UNH College of Professional Studies?

This fully-online bachelor’s program is built on a strong foundation in communication, helping students learn to analyze audiences, identify client needs, craft clear and compelling messages, and apply communication theory in digital contexts. Within the Digital Marketing option, this communication focus is combined with visual design, content creation, and data informed strategy to prepare graduates to plan and evaluate effective digital campaigns. Instruction is led by faculty who are scholar practitioners, combining advanced academic preparation with current professional experience in communication, media, and marketing. Their expertise supports a curriculum that is both theoretically grounded and closely aligned with workforce needs in the digital economy. The combination of flexibility, applied learning, and institutional strength meets the needs of students seeking a career-focused digital communication degree. The University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies is consistently recognized for rigorous, high-quality education, and graduates gain the added value of its strong regional and national reputation.

Potential Career Areas

Digital Marketing Specialist
Social Media Content Designer
Marketing Communications Specialist
Content Strategist
Digital Advertising Specialist

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Digital Communication Design prepares students for the expanding fields of digital communication and social media as used in business and the public sphere to market products, establish brands, enhance an organization’s presence in the public eye, and support the democratization of society. The program integrates technical and creative disciplines through the study of communication modes, media design, marketing fundamentals, and information technology. The B.S. in Digital Communication Design fosters learning that prepares graduates to make a strategic contribution in public and private enterprises that require the ability to convey messages effectively, manage information appropriately, respond to emerging environments, and employ technology strategically in a digital environment.

Degree Plan

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
ART 401	Introduction to Drawing	4
ART 515	Digital Photography	4
ENG 420	The Writing Process	4
General Education Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
ART 512	Fundamentals of Design	4
COM 460	Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics	4
CRIT 501	Introduction to Critical Inquiry	4
MTH 402 or MTH 504 or MTH 510	Math for Our World or Statistics or Pre-Calculus	4
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
COM 480	Visual Communication	4
COM 504	Web Development I	4
MKT 510	Principles of Marketing	4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
COM 535	Visual Media Production	4
COM 545	Digital Illustration	4
COM 645	Advanced Digital Illustration	4
General Education Course		4
	Credits	16
Third Year
Fall
CRIT 602	Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking	4
MKT 517	Consumer Behavior	4
MKT 615	Digital Storytelling and Brand Management	4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
COM 680	Trends in Digital and Social Media	4
MKT 645	Marketing Research	4
COM 647 or COM 670 or MKT 600 or MKT 612 or MKT 720 or MKT 723	Writing for Visual Media or Advanced Visual Communication or Social Media Marketing or Agile Marketing or Digital Advertising or Marketing Design and Usability	4
General Education Course		4
Elective		4
	Credits	20
Fourth Year
Fall
COM 743	Synthetic Media and the Construction of Reality	4
COM 670 or MKT 600 or MKT 612 or MKT 645 or MKT 720 or MKT 723	Advanced Visual Communication or Social Media Marketing or Agile Marketing or Marketing Research or Digital Advertising or Marketing Design and Usability
IDIS 601A or IDIS 601B or IDIS 601C	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities	4
Elective		4
	Credits	12
Spring
COM 798	Integrative Capstone: Project in Digital Communication Design	4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
	Total Credits	120

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 120 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 30 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 is required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: General Education Program

Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.

*GPA: Major and any state certification GPA requirements may be higher and are indicated in program details.

A minimum grade of C- is required in all Major coursework. Some programs may have higher grade requirements for Major coursework as noted in the Major requirements section below. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor, and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor. Please note that Option requirements are considered part of the Major. Students must complete 16 upper-level credits in majors within the College of Professional Studies, Online.

General Education Program Requirements

A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.

All General Education requirements must be taken prior to the capstone.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ENG 420	The Writing Process	4
COM 460	Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics	4
COM 480	Visual Communication	4
CRIT 501	Introduction to Critical Inquiry	4
Select one of the following:		4
MTH 402	Math for Our World
MTH 504	Statistics
MTH 510	Pre-Calculus
Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems		4
Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World		4
Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression		4
CRIT 602	Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking	4
IDIS 601A	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy	4
or IDIS 601B	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer
or IDIS 601C	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities
Total Credits		40

Writing Program Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ENG 420	The Writing Process
One Writing Intensive course in the Major
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above
One Additional Writing Intensive Course

Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.

Major Requirements

Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete all General Education program requirements. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Refer to the Degree Plan for a sample course sequence. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Major in Digital Communication Design
Foundational Courses
ART 401	Introduction to Drawing	4
ART 512	Fundamentals of Design	4
ART 515	Digital Photography	4
Intermediate Courses
COM 504	Web Development I	4
COM 535	Visual Media Production	4
MKT 510	Principles of Marketing	4
Advanced Courses
COM 680	Trends in Digital and Social Media	4
COM 743	Synthetic Media and the Construction of Reality	4
MKT 645	Marketing Research	4
Option in Digital Marketing
MKT 517	Consumer Behavior	4
MKT 615	Digital Storytelling and Brand Management	4
Select three courses from the following:		12
COM 647	Writing for Visual Media
COM 670	Advanced Visual Communication
MKT 600	Social Media Marketing
MKT 612	Agile Marketing
MKT 720	Digital Advertising
MKT 723	Marketing Design and Usability
Integrative Capstone
COM 798	Integrative Capstone: Project in Digital Communication Design	4
Total Credits		60

Electives

Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Express ideas and concepts through the development of digital content.
Employ industry-standard information design, usability, and accessibility principles throughout the digital communication design process.
Use optimal composition applications and technologies for specific media and design objectives.
Develop various process models for digital content creation that reflect project aims, resources, constraints, and other variables.
Develop methods of communication and content development for individuals, groups, and mass media informed by theories of communication and global culture.
Develop digital content according to codes of ethics, privacy, conflict, and citizenship.

Course Highlights

Introduction to Drawing
Fundamentals of Design
Digital Photography
Web Development 1
Visual Media Production
Principles of Marketing
Trends in Digital and Social Media
Synthetic Media and Construction of Reality
Integrative Capstone: Project in Digital Communications and Design
…and more!

Key Benefits of UNH CPS Online

Advantages

100% online courses – Learn from anywhere with flexible scheduling.
8-week terms – Move toward your goals faster.
Affordable tuition – Among the lowest in New England and nationwide.
Nationally ranked – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and Best Online Bachelor’s for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.
Regionally accredited – By the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE).
Generous transfer credit policy – About 89% of our students transfer in; we specialize in maximizing your previous college coursework and other college-level learning.
Credit for prior learning – Earn credit for relevant work experience, military training, and other learning outside the classroom.
Rolling admissions – Apply anytime and start in the term that works for you.
No GMAT or GRE required – Streamlined admissions process.
Expert faculty – Instructors are subject matter experts who share real-world experience to help you apply what you learn to your career goals.
Career advising for life – Available to all students, alumni, and even prospective students exploring their options.

Transfer Pathway

Whether you completed your associate degree or took a few courses, we have experience working with community college students nationwide and we are experts at maximizing your transfer credits. We are proud of our formal partnerships to support community college graduates through our Transfer Pathways.

Students pursuing an associate degree at a New Hampshire community college are encouraged to explore our Transfer Pathway below.

B.S. Digital Communication Design CCSNH Transfer Pathway

Admissions Requirements

Completion of our free, online application for admission
High school diploma, completion of a high school education in a homeschool setting under state law, or demonstrate high school equivalency.
- Successful completion of one of the following exams will be required for demonstrating high school equivalency: the GED, HiSET, or TASC

Credit for What you Know

Your Prior Learning Counts

Many of our students can demonstrate college-level knowledge gained from military, workplace and volunteer-based training, and experiences. We are experts at helping students demonstrate learning and earning academic credit.

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