College of Arts, Media and Design

Media Innovation and Data Communication

Master's: Boston, MA
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The Master of Science in Media Innovation and Data Communication offers a distinctive approach to knowledge and innovation in media fields, an approach rooted in the rigor of professional journalism — with its emphasis on empowered knowledge acquisition, empirical verification, and storytelling in the public interest — but one keenly attuned to emerging, data-driven technologies and their potential.

Boston, MA
Location
Full-Time
Part-Time
Commitment
18 Months
Duration of Program
Fall
Entry Terms
Yes *
Meets F1 Visa Requirements
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Overview

The MS in Media Innovation and Data Communication program focuses on the current revolution in data storytelling and computational methods in media work; the rapid evolution in video, animation, and augmented/virtual reality technologies; and social networks and digital analytics. Our graduates will be prepared to become leaders in media firms and outlets engaged with cutting-edge technologies and innovative digital startups, as well as a broad range of media and communications organizations across the rapidly evolving digital economy.

The digital communications revolution has affected all aspects of society, and there is strong demand from a wide variety of employers for graduates with knowledge and skills in a suite of relevant areas. The rise of social media has created a need for persons who can tell compelling stories, engage with audiences, and leverage networks to achieve a variety of strategic goals. Beyond news media itself, large companies, NGOs, and the public sector increasingly are hiring digitally fluent persons to help guide them through this new world, where communications, storytelling, marketing, and audience engagement are all bound up together in a constantly changing and iterative process. Additionally, many academic and commercial research institutions have shown an increasing demand for digital media experts for internal and external communication of their research.

Anchored in the School of Journalism, the program is an interdisciplinary degree, partnering with faculty from both Art + Design and Communication Studies. Students will be able to gain sophisticated knowledge of well-developed literatures that can guide visual- and experience-related media practice and strengthen their data communication-oriented work through a broader theoretical knowledge of areas such as network science, cybersecurity, social psychology, and communication. The MS in Media Innovation and Data Communication is also affiliated with multiple campus research entities, including the Co-Laboratory for Data Impact, the Center for Design, and the emerging Center for Communication, Media Innovation, and Social Change, allowing students to participate in valuable experiential and intellectual endeavors.

More Details

Unique Features

  • The MS in Media Innovation and Data Communication empowers media makers to think creatively about the future of media and provides training in the digital tools they need to thrive in today’s new media environment. 
  • Students will gain the skills to report, research, design, and build multimedia, interactive, and data-driven storytelling projects that clarify complex matters, explain processes, reveal insights, elucidate concepts, and relate stories about newsworthy topics and the human experience. 
  • The program will guide students to use emerging technologies and techniques of information and data design; visual communication and cognitive science; data analysis and visualization; photography, documentary, and visual storytelling; virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality; social media; computer science; and more. 
  • The program guides students to evaluate and critique media products, platforms, and projects based on principles of democracy and equity, and on ethics, history, and cultures of media innovation.
  • The MS in Media Innovation and Data Communication is a STEM-designated degree.

Program Objectives

The program will guide students how to: 

  • Articulate knowledge at the cutting edge of new media, data analysis and communication, and visualization. 
  • Explore, evaluate, and create new formats, tools, and ventures to investigate research questions through qualitative and quantitative methods in all stages of data collection, transformation, analysis, and communication in the service of multimedia storytelling. 
  • Use emerging technologies and techniques of information and data design; visual communication and cognitive science; data analysis and visualization; photography, documentary, and visual storytelling; virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality; social media; computer science; and more. 
  • Add valuable insight to the conversation around new media and data storytelling through external engagement with the community driving media innovation. 
  • Evaluate and critique media products, platforms, and projects based on principles of democracy and equity, and on ethics, history, and cultures of media innovation. 
  • Examine the role of media technologies in practices of knowledge production and society. 
  • Drawing on scholarly literature, articulate arguments for relevant theoretical and critical positions that relate to issues of inclusivity, diversity, and social goods.

Career Outlook

The School of Journalism in the College of Arts, Media and Design has trained many students in diverse skill and knowledge areas, including in data reporting and visualization, web development, podcasting, analytics, and experimental video, including augmented and virtual reality. In the last few years students have interned at The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, The Marshall Project, PBS’s NOVA, WGBH’s Frontline, Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting, WBUR’s Innovation Hub, NPR’s On Point, WGBH’s Basic Black, and The Bay State Banner. Our students have also written for The New York Times, Roll Call, Washington Post, WGBH News, Undark Magazine, Columbia Journalism Review, Smithsonian Magazine, and InsideClimate News.
 
School of Journalism alumni have gone on to jobs at places such as National Public Radio, The Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Texas Tribune, VTDigger, Arizona Republic, Business Insider, Indianapolis Star, CBS Interactive, and NJ.com. They have also successfully leveraged the broad learning offered within the degree to go into nonprofit communications, digital marketing, and product development.

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Admissions

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

$68.2K *
Tuition

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

  • Application form
  • Application fee
  • Resumé
  • Personal statement
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo exam scores for international applicants
  • Samples of published work (optional)

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Arts, Media, and Design admissions process, policies, and required materials

Admissions Dates

Fall Semester Entry

Admissions Deadline
Priority deadline for scholarship consideration February 1
Final deadline for international applicants May 1
Final deadline for domestic applicants August 1
Curriculum

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.


For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

 

Experiential Learning

Northeastern's signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.

 

Faculty

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Students

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

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