Digital Innovation, Film and Television
Bachelor of Arts
Fall
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Dift 210: Art of Film............ 3cr.
- Core 100: First-Year Seminar............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 100: Introduction to Ethics............ 3cr.
- second language I............ 3cr.
Spring
- Mathematical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Social Impact Sciences Elective............ 3cr.
- Theology 111: Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- English 101: English Composition............ 3cr.
- second language II............ 3cr.
Fall
- Dift 213: Non-Fiction Film............ 3cr.
- Communication Arts 206: Writing for the Media............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 200: Philosophical Perspectives............ 0cr.
Spring
- Historical Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- Dift 215: Aesthetics and Technology in Post-Production............ 3cr.
- English 205: Literature and the Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- Dift 250: Screenwriting and Story Craft............ 3cr.
- Dift 254: Intro To Video Production............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Natural Science Elective............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- Dift 354: Field Production and Story Telling............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspectives............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Dift Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- Dift 459: Senior Seminar Electronic Media: Advanced Production............ 3cr.
- Dift Elective E/RS Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Dift Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- Dift 460: Senior Seminar Electronic Media: Advanced Production II............ 3cr.
- Dift Elective............ 3cr.
- Dift Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
The sample course sequence above illustrates class offerings for the Digital Innovation, Film and Television (DIFT) major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Recent Employers (among all communications majors)
ABC, Amazon, ESPN, NCAA, Macy's, Four Entertainment Group
Screenwriting and Story Craft (DIFT 250)
Explore the conceptualization, design and communication strategies essential for crafting compelling narratives. Learn about the fundamental components of storytelling, including drama, character development and literary techniques, while honing your skills in scriptwriting and scene construction.
Intro to Video Production (DIFT 254)
Learn to think holistically about video production, from script to screen. You'll develop skills in scripting, directing, technical directing, camera operation, floor management, lighting, audio and video recording. You’ll also explore industry roles and strategies for breaking into the field.
Field Production and Storytelling (DIFT 354)
Gain hands-on experience producing videos on location, from news and interviews to documentaries and corporate productions. You'll develop skills in directing, teamwork, camera operation, sound recording, lighting and non-linear editing. Throughout the course, you’ll focus on whole-systems thinking and effective communication.
Introduction to Video Graphics (DIFT 451)
Learn to conceptualize, generate and animate 2D graphics in a high-resolution paint system. You’ll also explore how to integrate these graphics with live video and character generation.
Xavier Film and Television Club (XUFTC)
Be part of a student-run organization that produces a weekly news broadcast, hosts film events and competitions, and creates podcasts. You'll gain hands-on experience in a professional studio setting and collaborate with other students who share your passion for film and television.
Xavier Film and Television Center
The Xavier Film and Television Center is an inclusive and supportive environment offering students numerous high value teambuilding and collaborative activities. The student film and television club produce a weekly news and sports show covering a wide variety of issues and events that are local, regional and national in importance. The studio offers state of the art resources, equipment and lab. The Film and Television Center is a student driven center, fostering professionalism, and creativity. Students have the ability and freedom to pitch and produce relevant programing based on student interests and resources.
The Advertising Club
The Advertising club, part of the nationally renowned American Advertising Federation (AAF), specializes in uniting creativity and advertising within the Xavier Community.
Xavier Marketing Club
The Xavier Marketing Club is associated with the American Marketing Association. The club offers students the opportunity to gain a broader, realistic, more practically oriented exposure to marketing activities. The Marketing Club strives to improve each member's marketability in today's highly competitive job market.
Program Features
Our program immerses you in the essential equipment and software used by today's top filmmakers and content creators, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, After Effects and Audition.
As part of your senior capstone course you’ll produce a full-length film (documentary or narrative) to industry standards, from casting to post production.
Xavier's location in Cincinnati, Ohio centers you in the middle of a vibrant film industry, supported by a network of production companies, studios and film professionals.
At Xavier, you won’t just perfect your digital video production skills and techniques. With an education grounded in Jesuit values, you’ll learn to use film and media as a tool for positive change.
Alumni Making an Impact
Before she was producing the Today Show and working with celebrities like Lizzo and Pink, Katie Ryan was just trying to figure out where to go to college.
During her first year at ESPN, Courtnie has worked in production for multiple sports, including hockey, tennis, golf and her current assignment with Monday Night Football.
Page’s career path includes editing reality TV ("Top Chef"), scripted shows ("CBS:Cyber"), and series like "Hightown" on Starz. She now manages a team editing dailies for Paramount Pictures.
Xavier’s Digital Innovation, Film and Television students recently earned the University recognition among the country’s best institutions for excellence in media production.
Berglund is a morning traffic anchor and reporter, delivering live updates and compelling stories to thousands of viewers each day.
FAQ
Lay the groundwork for a successful career in digital film and television with the DIFT major at Xavier University. Discover more.
DIFT majors have a wide range of career opportunities after graduation. Here are some of the most common:
Creative Roles:
- Film Director
- Screenwriter
- Cinematographer
- Editor
- Sound Designer
- Production Designer
Production Roles:
- Producer
- Production Manager
- Line Producer
- Assistant Director
- Casting Director
Technical Roles:
- Camera Operator
- Gaffer
- Grip
- Sound Mixer
- Editor
Post-Production Roles:
- Colorist
- Sound Editor
- VFX Supervisor
Students will learn to use various digital video production equipment and software, including:
- Cameras (DSLR, cinema cameras)
- Lighting equipment
- Sound recording equipment
- Editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro)
- Visual effects software (Adobe After Effects)
- Sound editing software (Adobe Audition)
Digital Innovation, Film and Television (DIFT) Program at Xavier University
Digital Innovation Film and Television is an academic major in which students learn the fundamental components of telling stories visually. The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Innovation Film and Television is a four-year program designed to not only teach students what it takes to be successful as professionals in digital media and production, but also how to apply the skills and principles they learn in the field. Explore all facets of the industry, including foundational technology skills, writing for production, video editing and more to take your credentials to the next level.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."