The 18-credit digital communication, information, and media (DCIM) minor is open to all majors at Rutgers. This program prepares students to succeed in a diverse range of work environments through a combination of technical, analytical, interpersonal, and entrepreneurial skill sets. The DCIM program concludes with a capstone course that puts students in the driver's seat, defining and creating a project for their professional portfolio that they can use to launch their (next) career. The DCIM minor complements any major at Rutgers; capstone projects can extend a student's particular interest in a major field of study, or take students in an entirely new direction. All courses are all offered in hybrid format, with part of the course conducted in person and part of the course conducted online.
At the end of this program, students are able to:
- Critically read, interpret, synthesize, and evaluate online information from a variety of media sources and effectively articulate an analysis and formulate opinions on the relevant topics.
- Assess the influence of virtual environments on interpersonal and group interactions.
- Identify communication opportunities and challenges when working with others in digital and virtual environments.
- Successfully participate and enhance collaborative working relationships in virtual environments.
- Select and apply appropriate digital tools and media and design messages in order to communicate, persuade, and build relationships with stakeholders distributed across space, time, and cultures.
Career Development
Whether students are looking to enter the corporate, not-for-profit, or government sectors, whether in the life sciences, social services, business, or other fields, the DCIM program will enhance career possibilities by showing employers that they have proficiency in skills needed in all 21st-century workplaces.
Declaration of the Minor
Students may declare the minor after completing one 100-level or one 200-level DCIM course with a grade of C or better. For students in several Rutgers four-year schools, the declaration process is online; others can use a form on the School of Communication and Information (SC&I) website and submit it to the SC&I Student Services Office (SC&I Building, Rm 214). This form is available online by clicking here.
Requirements
Students must take six courses (18 credits) in the program to complete the minor:
Required:
- 04:189:151 Organizational Communication Dynamics Online (3)
- 04:189:152 The Structure of Information (3)
- 04:189:251 Strategic Presentation Methods in Digital Media (3)
- 04:189:351 Leadership in Digital Contexts
Choose one of these two:
- 04:189:352 Self and Society in Virtual Contexts
- 04:189:398 (number may be revised) Digital Technology and Disruptive Change
Required:
- 04:189:451 Capstone in Digital Communication, Information, and Media
Students must earn a grade of C or better in 04:189 courses in order for those courses to count toward the minor. Courses cannot be double-counted for the digital communication, information, and media minor and for any other major or minor at
the School of Communication and Information.
Course Transfers
Only 100- and 200-level courses that transfer to Rutgers as a substitute for courses in the minor may be applied to the program.
