Shreveport’s Digital Media Institute turns ten, continues to place graduates in jobs

You may have seen their representatives at the recent Geek’d Con in Shreveport, at Fan Expo in Dallas, or last spring at Artbreak at the Shreveport Convention Center sharing information about who they are and what they create.

The Digital Media Institute at 2031 Kings Highway in Shreveport celebrated their tenth year on August 13.

Formed at LSUS as a grant-based project funded by the Caddo Parish Commission, the program moved in 2014 when then-Executive Director John Miralles approached BRF to fund a self-sustaining school to provide training taught by people who were in the industry.

Students work with industry-grade hardware and software and have access to a 1600-square-foot digital media stage facility.

Ten years later, there are two programs offered. A one-year class in Digital Animation and VFX requires 1030 hours of schoolwork either in-person or online. This program costs $26,000 plus fees.

A two-year degree in Digital Marketing and Design is 1845 hours. Completion of the in-person classes is good for both a degree and 81 semester credit hours. This coursework costs $52,000 plus fees.

There is potentially an option for federal student aid, and help for veterans through the GI Bill. DMI is also willing to set up customized payment plans.

DMI Academic Director Greg Nelson said DMI hosts open registration multiple times per year and that for the 2022-2023, 96% of graduates found jobs, either locally or online.