Digital Filmmaking, Production Design Elements (Technical Certificate)

Award: Technical Certificate
Program of Study: Digital Filmmaking
Specialization: Production Design Elements
Program Code: 1124

About This Program . . .

This program is no longer accepting new students.

This Digital Filmmaking: Production Design Elements certificate helps prepare students with foundational skills needed for entry-level careers in the film, TV, and commercial video industries.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit WCCC's Programs of Study page.

All CMU/WCCC technical certificate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, communication fluency, and critical thinking. In addition to these campus‐wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Apply business communication using listening, verbal, written, and electronic forms that are needed for entry-level employment. (Communication Fluency)
  2. Apply math and applied physics concepts for industry to meet job requirements. (Quantitative Fluency)
  3. Research, evaluate, synthesize, and apply information/data relevant to business, the sciences, and technical careers. (Critical Thinking)
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of terminology, symbols, business practices, principles, and application of technical skills. (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
  5. Perform the applied skill sets to fulfill the needs of entry-level employment. (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
  6. Demonstrate ethical, civic, and workplace responsibility as part of professional behavior. (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Certificate Requirements

The following institutional requirements apply to all CMU or WCCC Technical Certificates. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • Consists of 5-59 semester hours.
  • Consists of 100-200 level courses.
  • At least fifty percent of the credit hours must be taken at CMU/WCCC.
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU/WCCC coursework.
  • A grade lower than “C” will not be counted toward meeting the requirements.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed twenty-five percent of the semester credit hours required for a technical certificate.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Certificate Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and certificate requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Program Specific Certificate Requirements

(12 semester hours, 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in program coursework.)

FILM 115Cinema Design Tools3
FILM 125Production Drawing & Design3
FILM 135Cinema Editing Aesthetics3
FILM 145Commercial & Corporate Video Editing3
Total Semester Credit Hours12
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
FILM 115 Cinema Design Tools 3
FILM 125 Production Drawing & Design 3
FILM 135 Cinema Editing Aesthetics 3
FILM 145 Commercial & Corporate Video Editing 3
 Semester Credit Hours12
 Total Semester Credit Hours12

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a certificate. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and discussing the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for her/his intended certificate.

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a certificate and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their certificate requirements (for one-semester certificates, complete in the first week of class):

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be her/his responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.