Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media and Messaging Overview
Digital media connect you with audiences where they spend their time: online. With countless platforms out there, you’ll need to create digital content that:
- Captures attention and cuts through the online clutter
- Drives clicks, revenue, and repeat traffic
- Builds credibility for your brand
UT Permian Basin’s Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media and Messaging teaches you these skills in just 12 credit hours. Our program is 100% online and asynchronous, so you can complete the certificate at your pace, from anywhere. You can even take a course or two in person, if you prefer. Backed by UT System quality, this program is also one of the most affordable of its kind.
Skills You’ll Learn
In four courses, you’ll build practical skills in:
- Creating content for social media and digital platforms
- Writing for media
- Developing advertising strategies
- Using communication technology
- Understanding media’s role in society
- Working with artificial intelligence (AI) ethically
AI is changing media. Our program equips you with best practices for ethical AI use to support your work, not replace your own creativity. You’ll also learn how to advocate for human-created content. Staying current with these tools keeps you competitive in an increasingly AI-driven market.
Why Earn This Certificate?
Digital media jobs are growing. The global digital media market could reach $2.65 trillion by 2032—nearly triple its 2023 value. This growth means more opportunities for people with the right skills.
Who Is This Program For?
This program is designed for professionals and students who want to establish themselves as knowledgeable voices in digital media, whether you're pivoting careers, adding credentials, or deepening your expertise.
Two Ways to Complete Your Digital Media Certificate
1. Earn the standalone 12-credit certificate. You can apply those credits toward UTPB’s online BA in Communication if you decide to pursue one later.
2. Already enrolled in the BA in communication program? Complete the required courses to add this certificate to your degree automatically at graduation. No extra application needed.
Students from all majors who want to gain digital media skills are welcome to apply.
Career Paths
UT Permian Basin's online Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media prepares you for careers including:
You must earn a grade of “C” or better in each course:
Admission Requirements
The SAT and ACT Exams are optional. Test scores will be used as supporting documents to determine admission and scholarship opportunities.
Transfer Student Admission Requirements
- Minimum of 24 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university
- GPA of 2.0 or higher in previous college-level coursework
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Dual-credit high school courses must be included
- Completed application
Use our transfer calculator to find out how your classes will transfer to UT Permian Basin and which classes will count toward your degree.
Incoming Freshman Admission Requirements
If you have completed less than 24 hours of transferable college-level work from a regionally accredited college or university after graduating from high school or receiving your GED, please provide the following:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (including dual-credit work while in high school)
- Official high school transcript showing GPA, class rank, and expected graduation date or GED scores
- SAT and/or ACT scores from within the last five years (see below for minimum score requirements)
- Completed application
Official Transcripts
Official copies of transcripts must come directly from the school in a sealed envelope and should be mailed to:
UT Permian Basin
Office of Admissions
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762
Official transcripts in electronic format can be sent to admissions@utpb.edu.
Minimum Score Requirements for Freshman Admission
| High School Graduation Class Rank | SAT | ACT |
| Top 25% | No minimum score | No minimum score |
| 2nd Quarter | 1020 | 20 |
| 3rd Quarter | 1160 | 24 |
| 4th Quarter | 1280 | 27 |
Application Fee
The application fee is $40.
If you are a freshman applicant, you may request a fee waiver when you apply by sending us your official college application fee waiver form provided by the SAT or ACT. You may also request a fee waiver if the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) listed on your Student Aid Report is zero.
Interim Chair, Department of Communication
Associate Professor of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
harlow_r@utpb.edu
Dr. Harlow is an associate professor of communication. She completed an MA in speech communication, with an emphasis in rhetoric and public affairs, from Texas A&M University (2001). She then completed a PhD in technical communication and rhetoric from Texas Tech University (2005). Her research focus is on technical communication in the public sector. Dr. Harlow has had significant experience in both learning and teaching online, as well as industry experience in technical writing. She has lived in Mexico City, Abuja, Nigeria, El Paso, and the Permian Basin.
Associate Professor of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
cox_j@utpb.edu
Dr. Jeremy Cox is an assistant professor of communication. He teaches courses in rhetorical criticism, the history of rhetoric, political rhetoric, civic engagement, and organizational rhetoric. His research interests include the rhetoric of nationalism, public memory, and the history of rhetoric. His articles and book reviews have appeared in the Journal for the History of Rhetoric, Quarterly Journal of Speech, and Philosophy and Rhetoric. He is a former Balch Fellow in Immigration and Ethnic History with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Associate Professor of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
cho_s@utpb.edu
Dr. Cho started teaching as assistant professor of communication at UTPB in Fall 2020. Her research interests are rooted in the social construction of identity—how people use language to differentiate between “us” and “them.” She aims to uncover the dynamics between social structures and communication as they pertain to building social categories among different groups. She believes that no student should be at a disadvantage in her class due to ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or other factors. Dr. Cho also values the outcomes of self-learning. She trusts her students’ capabilities to investigate, produce, and develop knowledge and respects their diverse perspectives. Dr. Cho earned her degrees in communication from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (PhD – social interaction & culture), University at Albany SUNY (MA – health communication), and Sogang University (MA – digital media & contents).
Lecturer
College of Arts and Sciences
james_t@utpb.edu
Terra James is the basic course director for the UTPB Department of Communication. She earned a BA in psychology and a BS in communication studies (with an emphasis on organizational communication) from Missouri Western State University. She also earned an MA in communication studies from Auburn University. She has served as a lecturer at UTPB since 2016.
Adjunct Instructor in Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
loyd_r@utpb.edu
Ryan Loyd earned a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. His research, teaching, and business consultation focuses on communication applications and organizational success. Having taught at the collegiate level for over 15 years, he has facilitated the gamut of core communication courses and has offered specialty courses in corporate training and development, instructional communication, organizational communication, and gender communication. He has taught a multitude of synchronous face-to-face courses as well as facilitated online courses, hybrid courses, and synchronous courses via digital tools (Zoom & Teams). Outside of the academy, he spent nearly two decades in the nonprofit sector before transferring his training and experience to the field of healthcare administration. He enjoys playing golf, reading, watching movies, and (most of all) spending time with his wife and two daughters.
