Posted on September 4, 2025 by Nick Ward
When students ask, “Will I really use this in my career?” COLFA answers confidently with having released many new programs over the last two years that blend practical skills with creativity for the evolving workforce.
Student showing a Birds Up hand sign
When students ask, “Will I really use this in my career?” COLFA answers confidently with having released many new programs over the last two years that blend practical skills with creativity for the evolving workforce. From solving real-world community issues to mastering strategies in working with digital mediums to exploring innovative artistic practices, the college is reshaping how liberal and fine arts education prepares UT San Antonio students for tomorrow.
A recent national study on college choice conducted by Tyton Partners found that a majority of students prioritize strong career outcomes and practical, hands-on learning when deciding where to enroll. They are looking for programs that provide clear pathways to employment, connect academic study with real-world experience, and offer skills that remain relevant as industries change. COLFA’s expansion of degrees and certificates over the past two years directly aligns with these priorities, giving students options that meet their career ambitions while reflecting the sometimes challenging realities of the modern workforce.
A rising star of innovation at COLFA has been the Film and Media program, which officially transferred to the Interdisciplinary School for Engagement from University College in 2024. This Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree has become one of COLFA’s fastest-growing success stories, now with more than 300 majors enrolled. The program offers students an education that blends theory, history, and hands-on media production, giving them the tools to enter careers in directing, screenwriting, production, and media analysis.
From participating in festivals like the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to producing their own original short films through the UT San Antonio Directors Workshop, students are gaining real-world experience and building strong creative portfolios while in the classroom. Additionally, partnerships with production companies such as A24, Santikos, Netflix, and WB/Discovery help give students insight into how the industry functions.
“The Film/Media workforce is changing and growing rapidly in Texas, and our program is getting students hands-on experience through a wide range of internships and other opportunities, from being on commercial shoots for companies like HEB or Whataburger to working in film archives and museums to working in live production and broadcast for ESPN outlets. Our award-winning faculty is actively working on both local and Hollywood productions and bringing that experience—and those opportunities—back to our students,” said program director Paul Ardoin.
COLFA is additionally expanding its creative offerings through launching two new degree programs in the arts in fall 2025 - Dramatic Arts and Community Arts. Under Ardoin’s guidance, the Dramatic Arts program combines theoretical foundations with extensive practical training. Students prepare for careers in theater, film, television, and emerging digital platforms, building portfolios through active participation in public productions, internships, and collaborative creative projects.
Based in and around the cutting-edge Buena Vista Theater, classes in performance and technology see that work showcased in a major venue. Students in Film/Media and Dramatic Arts have internship opportunities with local professional productions and museums, like Magik Theatre and the Briscoe. Spring 2026 will feature the program’s first major musical, in which UT San Antonio students will work under and alongside pros with Broadway, television, and other major professional experience.
Community Arts, led by associate dean and founding executive director for UTSA Arts Emilie Amrein, addresses societal challenges through artistic engagement. Students prepare for impactful careers in arts administration, education, and community-oriented creative practices. Courses highlight effective strategies for utilizing the arts to improve community well-being, address healthcare access, and enhance quality of life across various populations, including underserved and marginalized groups.
“Our students don’t just learn about the arts inside the classroom, they’re out in neighborhoods, local galleries, and community centers using their skills to connect with people,” said Amrein. “By the time they graduate, they’ve already seen how their work can make a difference on a personal level.”
The BA in Digital Media Influence with the Department of Communication directly addresses the rising significance of digital communication and online platforms. Courses combine theory with content creation, training students to produce impactful and ethically responsible digital messages. DMI graduates look to pursue careers in digital marketing, public relations, content management, and strategic communications, all fields growing rapidly in response to increased digital interaction and social media use worldwide. The comprehensive curriculum also addresses ethical considerations, privacy, and the social responsibilities inherent in digital communication, equipping students for thoughtful, conscientious careers.
Senior Communication major Marlene Beasly reflected on how her understanding of digital media influence evolved over the semester after being asked whether her definition of a “digital media influencer” had changed. “I know now that with this class I can take my knowledge and put it towards my personal or business social media accounts to better influence others in the future. I’ve also learned that creating content is not just about generating clicks or views or revenue, it’s about spreading a message to your audience regarding a specific topic or perspective.”
In addition, the department of Communication has unveiled their recently approved BA in Journalism. Coursework combines writing, multimedia storytelling, and investigative techniques with instruction in emerging tools such as data visualization and digital content management. Students will have opportunities to report on real issues in the San Antonio region, work with campus and community media outlets, and build professional portfolios that position them for careers in news writing, broadcast journalism, digital reporting, and related fields.
Over at the School of Music, the BA in Commercial and Digital Music was created in response to seismic shifts in the music industry. Students delve into contemporary music production techniques, digital composition and sound design skills, and global music trends. This degree prepares graduates for professional roles such as music producers, audio engineers, artistic directors, and marketing professionals within today’s vibrant entertainment landscape.
Students in the program build their portfolios through hands-on projects, ensemble work, and audition options that reflect the realities of today’s music industry. Whether creating with electronic instruments, producing tracks using digital audio software, or working in styles drawn from diverse musical cultures, they develop the experience and confidence to step into an evolving field. Graduates leave the program ready to contribute to the growth of the industry rather than waiting for it to change around them.
“This is an exciting time for music making at UTSA. It has been a pleasure to witness the student interest and excitement surrounding this new degree. With it, I have observed students engage in innovative forms of creative expression, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community-based artistic work,” said assistant professor of music Miles Friday. “I am particularly thrilled to see how this degree creates flexible pathways for student success. With this degree at UTSA, students can enter the School of Music with a wide range of musical backgrounds and interests and leave with well-rounded technical training in digital music.”
The BA in Linguistics in the Local and Global Community created by created by linguists across COLFA and housed in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, integrates classic linguistic theory with applications tailored to contemporary challenges in linguistics. Whitney Chappell, professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, emphasizes the program’s diverse career opportunities.
“Our graduates can support communities as speech-language pathologists, language access professionals, translators or interpreters, or become conversation designers working with the development of AI chatbots to improve accessibility for users among many other potential job opportunities,” noted Chappell.
The degree focuses on community engagement through extensive service-learning opportunities. Students work with bilingual education programs, language revitalization initiatives, and ESL efforts in communities ranging from South Texas neighborhoods to Indigenous groups across Latin America, gaining experience for immediate professional applications.
Similar to the degree in Film and Media, UT San Antonio’s University College provides pathways for students who wish to learn from the expertise of multiple colleges at UT San Antonio. The multidisciplinary Game Design program uniquely combines narrative storytelling and design expertise from the Departments of Communication and English with programming skills provided by the College of AI, Cyber and Computing’s Department of Computer Science. This collaborative effort equips students with both creative and technical competencies necessary for success in the rapidly growing gaming and interactive media fields.
Students gain proficiency in design, game scripting, user experience development, and foundational computer programming. Graduates will be well-prepared for a future in game design, narrative development, UX/UI design, software engineering, and interactive storytelling across entertainment, educational, and corporate sectors of the gaming industry.
Bachelor’s degrees are not the only rise in offerings from the college, graduate certificates provide a focused and efficient alternative to traditional master’s degrees. These programs are designed for students and working professionals who want to deepen their expertise or shift their career direction without committing to the length or cost of a full graduate program. They allow students to improve their expertise, and enhance career prospects in areas like digital humanities, archival work, or museum studies, often while working or completing another degree. For many, certificates are a practical way to explore graduate education or to complement an existing credential with additional professional preparation. They also offer a valuable re-entry point for alumni who want to update their training or pivot their careers, giving them both a credential that demonstrates competence to employers and the practical skills to put that knowledge into action.
The Public History Graduate Certificate housed in the Department of History brings together the discipline’s academic foundations [and public-facing endeavors] with emerging tools in digital storytelling and archival technology. As historical work becomes more publicly engaged and technologically sophisticated, the need for professionals trained in both traditional research methods and digital platforms has grown significantly.
“We are witnessing increased demand for historians who actively engage communities, document local histories, and effectively communicate historical narratives to broader audiences,” said Department Chair Wing Chung Ng.
Students in the program build skills in digital archives management, oral history documentation, and collaborative public research projects. They apply these skills through partnerships with museums, cultural heritage institutions, and even municipal preservation efforts where they can help communities celebrate their stories while making historical knowledge more accessible to the public.
Similarly, the Graduate Certificate in Art History allows students to enrich their understanding of visual culture while building analytical and research skills valued in both academic and professional contexts. The program attracts students from a range of disciplines who seek specialized art historical training to support careers in museums, galleries, education, cultural heritage institutions, and related fields. Through advanced coursework, participants engage with a range of artistic traditions and curatorial practices, preparing them to interpret and present visual material to
stakeholders at every level.
The Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpretation offers another pathway for developing career-specific expertise. This program equips students with advanced linguistic and cultural competencies, primarily in English and in Spanish, for work in multilingual environments. It is designed for those who aim to work in fields such as translation, interpretation, international business, education, law, and healthcare, where precise and culturally informed communication is mission critical. Coursework emphasizes both the theoretical and practical aspects of translation including covering specialized vocabulary and ethics within the field.
Supporting students across all these innovative degree programs and certificates is COLFA’s Student Success Center (SSC). Located in the McKinney Humanities Building, the center serves as a central resource for students seeking academic, professional, and personal growth. It offers peer mentoring, leadership development, and targeted workshops to enhance student engagement and provide practical support. The center is also a community space where students can study, collaborate, and attend various skill-building events throughout the academic year.
“Our goal is to empower students to discover their path and enrich their college experience by creating opportunities for engagement, leadership, and experiential learning. When students feel supported and engaged, they thrive in and out of the classroom,” said Director Clarissa Martinez.
One key program driving student participation at the center has been the Ananse Leadership Program, a free 10-week initiative designed to strengthen students’ critical thinking, communication skills, and professional confidence. Through interactive sessions and group work, participants practice navigating real-world career challenges, explore personal identity in leadership roles, and develop strategies for clear, persuasive communication. Past cohorts have tackled complex topics such as ethical decision-making and project coordination, and end the program with a showcase event to highlight their growth.
In addition to all COLFA’s new degree programs and supplemental resources, COLFA graduates benefit from the inherent value of a liberal and fine arts education, particularly through the development of essential soft skills. These include critical thinking, cross-cultural competence, adaptability, and creative problem-solving. All qualities highly prized by employers across various fields. COLFA alumni frequently leverage their versatile skillets to successfully pursue careers beyond their specific academic disciplines.
“As our graduates emerge into a dynamic professional landscape, they bring with them a readiness to lead and carry with them the tools to grow and adapt across industries for years to come,” said COLFA Dean Glenn Martinez. “COLFA’s approach, blending rigorous academic standards with practical, experiential learning positions students at the cutting edge of their fields prepared to extend their influence intoSan Antonio, South Texas, and across the world.”
Students interested in enrolling in a COLFA degree program can find more information at future.utsa.edu
— Nick Ward
