The digital arts are digital technologies that keep transforming how people create, perform, and experience art.

The goal of the digital arts certificate program is to give students skills to make works of art that are informed by digital technology, scholarship, disciplinary tradition, and interdisciplinary collaboration. At the core of the digital arts certificate is a commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in research, teaching, creative work, and the public expression of the university's creative research and scholarship. 

The Certificate in Digital Arts at the University of Iowa gives students the knowledge and skills "to apply new technologies and integrate multiple media and disciplines in new forms of expression" (Cal Arts, Integrated Media Program). Upon completion of the certificate, students are able to develop and realize artistic visions using digital technology and work collaboratively with other artists, engineers, or computer scientists.

The Department of Theatre Arts, which administers the Certificate in Digital Arts, partners with the schools of Music and Art, Art History, and Design, the departments of Computer Science and Cinematic Arts (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), and the College of Engineering to offer the certificate. Most courses for the certificate include a public dimension, where projects are shown to a public audience. 

Learning Outcomes

The certificate provides the ability to:

• think about and develop works of art that use digital technology in creative ways;
• participate in critical discourse about such artistic works;
• collaborate across disciplines on artistic projects at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds; and
• use art and digital technology to identify, attract, and interact with audiences in a meaningful and creative way.

The undergraduate Certificate in Digital Arts requires a minimum of 25 s.h. of coursework, including at least 18 s.h. earned at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in coursework for the certificate. Courses taken pass/nonpass do not count toward the certificate.

The certificate may be earned by any student admitted to the University of Iowa who is not enrolled in a UI graduate or professional degree program. Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) students may earn the certificate when the undergraduate classification is primary.

Students should declare their intent to earn the certificate at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Programs office, at the Academic Advising Center, or on MyUI.

Students must meet with the certificate director or a digital arts advisor every semester to discuss their course selections and plan for the capstone course. The capstone project course may be taken only after both core courses have been completed.

The Certificate in Digital Arts requires the following coursework.

Core Courses 

 Interactive Sound

Electronics/Robotics

Capstone Project

The capstone project must result in a work that is both artistic and digital, and it must be shared in a meaningful way with the public. It must be informally approved by the certificate director at least one semester before the work takes place. The student will then select at least one faculty member from an appropriate department as a formal advisor. The student then submits a written proposal to the certificate director and the advisor. The proposal must include a description of the work; a statement of why the student is prepared to accomplish the work; and a list of equipment, materials, space, or funding required.

Once the proposal is approved by the director and advisor, the student enrolls in an independent study in the advisor's home department with the advisor as instructor for 3 s.h. The student meets with the advisor on a regular basis and engages other faculty and students as needed. Once the project is complete and shared publicly, the advisor evaluates the project and submits a grade.

Elective Courses

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Digital Arts, Certificate

a

Students must complete at least 9 s.h. of electives; see General Catalog for list of approved courses.

b

Consult certificate director for specifics.