Digital Media
The Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media offers a hands-on, collaborative way to explore core creative concepts and innovative ideas in diverse areas of the digital media world. The program provides a solid preparation in the three core digital media knowledge areas: design thinking, technical competency, and creative expression.
Part-Time
Please note, the Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media program is available only for domestic students who have a background in visual communications, web creation, and programming foundations. If you are an international student or a domestic student without this prior experience, you are eligible to apply to the Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media Connect program. Please visit the MPS in Digital Media Connect program page to learn more.
Students in the Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media will build their skills and expertise while gaining familiarity with a variety of industry-standard and cutting-edge technologies and tools. Our curriculum is organized around three types of experiences: core courses, concentration electives, and a final, hands-on project. Our core courses in information development, usability, and narrative structure provide a baseline for developing, marketing, and managing content-rich experiences. A series of electives is offered in seven distinctive areas: 3-D animation, game design, digital video, social media, digital media management, or one of two tracks in interactive design—visual design or usability and production. In your final project, you’ll work with the guidance of a faculty advisor on a personal proposal or with a small, focused team to channel your passion into a project that provides tangible evidence of your abilities.
Whether you are a full-time or part-time student, you can complete your degree while building meaningful working relationships with students from around the globe. Team-based assignments strengthen your project management and leadership skills and allow you to take part in the development of more complex media projects than you could by working alone. The team efforts will also prepare you for your future as a professional in digital media’s collaboration-oriented culture.
More Details
Unique Features
- Complete an in-depth capstone project experience working under guidance of a faculty advisor.
- Three concentration options provide specialized focus on distinctive areas of digital media.
- Program format is designed to enhance collaboration and networking opportunities for students.
- This is a STEM-designated graduate degree.
Program Objectives
- Leverage your existing professional experience and knowledge in a technology-centric media world.
- Apply human interaction concepts and systems to a wide range of projects.
- Study character and story development across a variety of digital media.
- Develop and test a variety of user experiences for different media and devices.
Career Outlook
Companies of all sizes and industries need creative thinkers to help them build and disseminate compelling digital stories for marketing, messaging, and entertainment. Employment projections vary for each concentration, but demand and reward for User Interface professionals and social media experts continues to expand at an above-average pace.
Transfer Credit Opportunities for Certifications from Professional Associations
Successful applicants for a master's degree program in the Social Media concentration with their HubSpot Academy Certification:
- Will receive 4 quarter hours of transfer credit – an 8% savings in tuition.
- Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 11 courses, rather than 12
- Transfer credit is awarded for the following course: DGM 6285 Interactive Marketing Fundamentals
Hear from current students and recent graduates of the digital media programs about how their Northeastern degree helped them enhance their skills and accelerate their careers.
This video was led by instructor Gary Greenbaum and developed by the following students: Cameron Drezelo, Fanny Fellevik, Hana Fox, Sarah Hoye, and James Whalen. Please note that the clip was created by students in the Digital Video concentration for their Documentary and Nonfiction Production course.
Looking for something different?
Program Costs
Requirements
- Online application
- Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): Identify your educational goals and expectations of the program. Please be aware that Northeastern University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose.
- Professional resumé
- Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities such as a faculty member, colleague, or mentor, preferably one from your current employer
- English language proficiency proof. Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
- Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
- TOEFL, IELTS, or NU Global Exam scores
Admissions Dates
Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis, however we do recommend following the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term.
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| Domestic application complete (First half start: September 14, 2020) | September 4, 2020 |
| Domestic application complete (Second half start: October 26, 2020) | October 16, 2020 |
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| Domestic application complete (First half start: January 11, 2021) | January 1, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (Second half start: February 22, 2021) | February 12, 2021 |
General Requirements
Required Core Courses
Complete one of the following:
Complete one of the following options:
Thesis Option
Capstone Option
Technical course from the workshops list
Elective
Complete one of the following:
Workshops
Optional digital media workshops are designed to provide valuable technical skills and tools for students in all graduate degree programs.
Students may complete one of the following:
Concentrations
Choose one from the following:
Complete 20 quarter hours from the following:
Complete 20 quarter hours from the following:
Interactive Design
Complete four courses from one of the following tracks:
Design Track
Usability and Development Track
Complete the following:
Required:
Electives
Complete 15-17 quarter hours from the following:
Please note: This curriculum is for marketing purposes only and is subject to change. Official curriculum can be found within the course catalog.
Our signature experiential learning model combines academics with professional practice to help students gain relevant, real-world skills they can apply to their desired industry. Northeastern offers a variety of ways for students to add experience to their resumé, including:
- Experiential Network (XN) — Students work virtually with a sponsoring organization on a short-term project over a six-week period.
- In the thesis project experience, you’ll work with the guidance of a faculty advisor to channel your passion into a project that provides tangible evidence of your abilities.
Our Faculty
Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and fields ranging from finance to education to biomedical science to management to the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.
By enrolling in Northeastern, you gain access to a network of more than 255,000 alumni and 3,350+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global nongovernmental organizations. Our current students and faculty across strategically located regional locations further foster a lifelong, global community of learning and mentoring.
Below is a look at where our Digital Media and Design alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.
-
Where They Work
- Harvard
- MIT
- ViralGains
- Cognizant
- Deloitte Consulting
- TJX Companies
- GNS Healthcare
-
What They Do
- Art and Design
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Media and Communication
- User Experience Designer
- UX Manager
-
What They're Skilled At
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Social Media
- CSS
- Digital Media
- Marketing
- Interactive Design
- User Experience
Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.