Bellarmine University’s Design, Art and Technology (DAT) major ranks ninth in the nation in a recent list of multimedia design degrees from Bachelor’s Degree Center. To compile their list of the 25 Best Bachelor’s in Multimedia Design for 2021, the independent center’s editors looked for accredited, reputable institutions offering the best opportunities for design professionals. Programs were ranked by data from IPEDS and Niche, including tuition rate, student satisfaction and potential salary. “In the 21st century, designers need to be able to do it all. That means there are several reasons to earn a degree in multimedia design,” Bachelor’s Degree Center said in announcing the rankings. “This type of degree program is very diverse and allows the student to explore many different types of media.” Dr. Shawn Apostel, director of Bellarmine’s DAT program, agrees, calling it a “choose your own adventure” degree. With its multiple electives, “it’s broad and creative, and that’s what I love about it,” he says. The DAT program integrates the fine and applied arts with digital technology. It is a secondary major that must be paired with a complementary primary major of Art, Business, Communication, Computer Science, English or Music. Students develop skills in areas including website development, film and video production, sound editing and audio production, multimedia art, graphic design, 2D animation and communications technology while doing projects with actual clients and complete a three-hour internship. The DAT program “gives you a vehicle to really propel you into your career field,” Apostel says. Bachelor’s Degree Center, an independent organization, has been providing resources and rankings of traditional and online bachelor’s degree programs since 2014.