The MA in Digital Communication and Media Arts is an interdisciplinary program situated among disciplines which are fueling innovation and shaping today’s culture, including the areas of game design, human centered design, artificial intelligence, cinema, and more. Students gain a blend of creative and technical skills for both digital and physical platforms, and become equipped for professional roles in today’s dynamic digital world.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | 0-8 |
| Degree Requirements | 52 |
| Total hours required | 52-60 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Understand and effectively explain how digital technology has affected communication practices across a range of subjects and disciplines, including the underlying ethical issues digital technology has brought to contemporary society.
- Assess and inventory relevant media projects; apply varied research methods and design thinking to develop new and relevant digital media products that address contemporary problems.
- Adequately demonstrate key competencies in still and moving image production, graphic and interactive design, and other technologies related to digital media arts.
- Identify and employ the affordances of digital media components in order to effectively develop a story or campaign across multiple media formats.
- Develop and deliver professional-level project pitches and research presentations.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
No Introductory course may be substituted for any other course at any level. Foundation, Advanced, and Elective course selections are determined by the concentration chosen.
Introductory Courses
Introductory courses may be waived for any of the following conditions:
- The student has the appropriate course work to satisfy an Introductory Course.
- The student has appropriate and verified professional experience to satisfy an Introductory Course.
- If an exam is available, the student passes a Graduate Assessment Examination (GAE) in the Introductory Course area, if such an examination is available.
Degree Requirements
Students in this degree program must meet the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of 52 graduate credit hours in addition to any required introductory courses of the designated degree program.
- Complete all graduate courses and requirements listed in the designated degree program.
- Earn a grade of C- or better in all courses of the designated degree program.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Students pursuing a second (or more) graduate degree may not double count or retake any course that applied toward the completion of a prior graduate degree. If a required course in the second degree was already completed and applied toward a previous degree, the student must meet with a faculty advisor to discuss a new course to be completed and substituted in the new degree. This rule also applies to cross-listed courses, which are considered to be the same course but offered under different subjects.
- Students pursuing a second master's degree must complete a minimum of 52 graduate credit hours beyond their first designated degree program in addition to any required introductory courses in their second designated degree program.
Students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher will graduate with distinction.