Digital Media Production

The Digital Media Production program prepares an individual to gain entry-level employment in the media industry. Students learn the art, craft, and technology of audio production, digital video production, web development, and social media. The program offers hands-on production experience coupled with a strong theoretical foundation.

Students are taught to complete multifaceted projects, beginning with conceptualization to the delivery of content across a host of media. Focus is placed upon the development of digital media in areas of content development, production, and marketing.

Learn how to create compelling content that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impact.

A diploma in Digital Media Production is awarded to the student upon graduation.

Train in professional media production studios and labs. Learn From Industry Pros To Become An Industry Pro. Create real-world content using AI-powered production tools. Graduate with a portfolio employers actually want to see.

Students don’t just learn about media. They create content, build projects, develop portfolios, and gain real-world experience.

ACTIVATOR real-world experience. Pursue powerful, real-world experiences with ACTIVATOR! With hands-on internship programs and exclusive media collaborations with local radio, TV, and production facilities across our seven-school network – you’ll gain invaluable real-world work experiences. Get ready for live remotes and exciting live production events that put your skills directly into action – all as part of the ACTIVATOR program.

The O'Hare campus. The Illinois Media School-O’Hare Campus is near O’Hare International Airport. The School has two (2) fully equipped TV Studios and master Control Room, in addition to 12 video editing stations. The School also has nine (9) fully equipped Audio Studios and two (2) On-Air Internet Radio Stations. For teaching aids, the classrooms can remotely monitor audio production activity in the radio studios and have TV monitors with video playback equipment. The School has offices for the director, admissions, education, placement, and financial aid. The restrooms are near the classrooms. There is a marked handicapped entrance close to an elevator lift to the School’s. Special parking areas are also designated for those with special needs.

Learn from a pro to be a pro. Our mission is to provide hands-on training in industry-relevant technical environments. The instructional staff consists of seasoned professionals with years of industry experience. Upon graduation, students are prepared for entry-level positions in the industries for which they trained.

Each applicant for admission is assigned to an admissions representative. The admissions representative will direct the applicant through the steps of the admissions process, including an informational tour and meeting with financial aid. The student must have met all admissions requirements, completed all paperwork and been formally accepted into the institution by the start date of the program. If an applicant has not met any of these requirements prior to the start date but still wishes to enroll, with the approval of the Campus Director under extenuating circumstances, an applicant may observe classes as a registered (but not enrolled) student, while attending to the completion of administrative obligations or otherwise preparing for official acceptance into the program. Non-enrolled students observing classes do not earn attendance, grades, or academic credits. Students who are registered for classes must have all enrollment provisions resolved by the end of the second week of classes in order to be considered for acceptance. Any student not enrolled by the end of week two will not be allowed to continue and will instead be required to enroll in a future class start.

Length. 8 Months (32 Weeks) – 24 Semester Credits, delivered in two terms. The School’s programs are six to eight months in length, with two (2) defined academic terms with two (2) corresponding payment periods.

Hours. Total approved hours: 588. Total clock hours, including outside work: 735. Each hour of instruction consists of 50 minutes in a 60-minute period.

Class size. Although class sizes vary, the maximum number of students to be enrolled for any one course is 35, either residential or hybrid.

Hybrid and online coursework. All applicants to the School must take an Online Readiness Assessment (ORA) and earn a minimum of 80%. This assessment reviews the applicant’s basic understanding of computers and online prowess to determine suitability for hybrid and online coursework.

2026 start dates (Term 1). 6/30/2026, 7/28/2026, 8/25/2026, 9/22/2026, 10/20/2026, 11/17/2026, 12/15/2026.

Campus hours. Monday-Thursday 8am - 10:30pm; Friday 8am - 6:30pm; Saturday 11am - 4pm; Sunday Closed.

Out-of-class preparation. Students are expected to come to class prepared for every session, which requires reviewing notes from class sessions, completing homework assignments, practicing technical skills learned in class, and studying for exams and quizzes. Successful students apply what they have learned in class within independent preparation and study time; therefore, students must plan on spending at least one hour reviewing materials, practicing skills, and studying prior to every four-hour classroom or lab session.

Tuition as of June 30, 2026. Upon acceptance, the student will not be subject to any tuition increases that may occur from the time of this enrollment to completion of the program. However, a termination and re-enrollment in program will subject a student to any tuition increases that may have occurred since initial enrollment.

Supplies. A late fee of 5% may be charged for payments that are 10 days past due. In addition to the direct costs of the program, students will be responsible for purchasing their own supplies, such as pens, paper, and other materials. Students should supply their own headphones as well, which may bring out-of-pocket expenses to between $50-150. All course materials needed for the program are provided by the School and are included within the tuition costs.

Federal financial aid. The Media Schools are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). One of the privileges of accreditation is the availability of Title IV federal funding, commonly known as Federal Student Aid, including the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loans. Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov and add your campus’s school code; the school will receive an Institutional Student Information Report within 2-3 days.

College Completion Grant. The School offers a College Completion grant to any student who has completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Students are awarded $3,000 for the entirety of the program, $1,500 at the end of each semester, if the student has met Satisfactory Academic Progress for the term.

Need Based Grant. The School also offers a Need Based Grant, when funds are available, to independent students not eligible for the Pell grant, dependent students whose parents have been denied the Plus Loan, and students who do not qualify for the College Completion Grant. All students must have a completed financial aid file and submit the application for the Need Based Grant.

Veterans. The School is approved for the training of Veterans.

Monthly payments. If you do not qualify for federal student aid or you are simply looking for other options, Media Schools offers the option to pay for your college education in monthly installments, interest-free.

Graduates of the Digital Media Production program are prepared for a broad range of entry-level jobs in media, including fields such as: advertising, web design, graphic design, computer illustration, animation, television, radio, internet-based media, audio production, video production, copywriting, social media strategy, and podcasting.

Because media has become a mainstay in nearly every aspect of our lives, including education, entertainment, news, advertising, and more, it is possible to find digital media production jobs in nearly any industry you can think of. Also, there is considerable potential for starting your own business or working as a freelancer in digital media production.

Career services. The School maintains a full-time Career Services Department to assist graduates who successfully complete programs of study. Job inquiries are received and processed continually from employers seeking graduates to fill vacancies on their staff. Assistance is given to graduates in the preparation of recorded audition material, continuity samples, resumes, and applications for employment. The School does not guarantee job placement. The Illinois Media School may withhold job placement assistance for students who are not in academic and financial good standing with the School.

Graduation and employment. In the Illinois Media School O'Hare campus’s 2025 report to ACCSC (reporting period July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025), the Digital Media Production program — reported as a 8-month program — had 27 students enrolled in the cohort, a 63% graduation rate and a 80% employment rate.

Attendance. Students are expected to come to class for all scheduled class days. Regular attendance is a key component to academic success. Missing regular class sessions may result in course failure, delay in graduation date, or termination from the program. The School does not have leaves of absence (LOA) or independent study options. To help students achieve satisfactory academic progress (SAP), the campus Education Department may issue warnings throughout each semester to those students who have missing or incomplete coursework. This warning may also report excessive absences and/or inadequate lab hours. If deficiencies are not completed by the end of the quarter when SAP is officially calculated, additional steps may be taken including transfers to other classes or dismissal from the program.

Graduation. To graduate and receive a diploma, a student must satisfactorily complete all required courses with a grade of D or higher, have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, and satisfy all financial obligations to the school to participate in the graduation ceremony and receive a diploma and transcripts.