DIGITAL MEDIA Major at Eastern Mennonite University

The digital media major focuses on the intersection of  the internet, digital video, audio and photography within an  increasing array of delivery systems.

Eastern Mennonite University offers one of the few digital media majors at a Christian college. Our unique program emphasizes proficiency in the interrelated digital media forms of video production, digital photography, graphic design and web design. Students learn electronic field production in documentary and narrative video classes.  They practice the disciplines of  video editing, lighting, audio production through assignments and real-world projects.

The EMU digital media major unfolds in the context of our Christian liberal arts community, a multicultural, peace-oriented environment that values effective cross-cultural communication and passionate engagement with the world. Students work on personal projects, study visual theory, and engage the community through documentary work. EMU prepares students for a range of digital media jobs from video production to web design (as well as preparation for further graduate training).

Internship opportunities abound in the EMU/Harrisonburg area and many students have done internships while studying at the Washington D.C. Community Scholars' Center. Many of our students learn live event production skills by assisting with the video needs of the national Mennonite Youth Convention. Students also have cross-cultural photography opportunities such as Professor Jerry Holsopple's Lithuania trip.

Students have access to our collection of professional SD and HD video cameras, lighting and support equipment for video production.  Students also have free access to our collection of Canon digital SLRs and lenses. Our digital media lab features the Adobe Creative Suite CS3 and 20 inch (Intel based) iMacs for digital photo editing.  The Advanced Production Lab, home to our non-linear video editing and 2-D animation classes, features Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop and After Effects.

Career Possibilities

Curious about the vocational possibilities for EMU alums? Visit our VACA careers page.

See our faculty page for examples of faculty work.

Media Coverage

VaCa student work has received attention from national and international media. The Washington Post covered our class documentary on the Kurdish community in Harrisonburg, and the BBC ran student photos from the documentary on their Web site.