Students in the Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media will build their skills and expertise while gaining experience using 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 capstone that can be completed as an individual thesis or a team project.
Our core courses in media creation, interactive design, usability, design thinking, and narrative structure provide a baseline for producing content-rich experiences. A series of electives are offered in seven distinctive areas: 3D 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 the capstone experience, you’ll work with the guidance of faculty to channel your passion into a project that provides tangible evidence of your abilities.
Whether you are a full- or part-time student, our cohort structure allows you to build 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 design and 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.
The requirements for this program for students admitted during the 2021-2022 academic year were revised as of 11/19/2021. This catalog presents the revised requirements.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Required Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DGM 6122 | Foundations of Digital Storytelling | 4 |
| DGM 6145 | Information Technology and Creative Practice | 4 |
| DGM 6521 | Web Creation for Content Management Systems | 2 |
| Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
| Sound Design | ||
| Usability and Human Interaction | ||
| Complete one of the following options: | 8 | |
Thesis Option | ||
| Thesis Proposal Development | ||
| Thesis (at least 6 QH) | ||
Capstone Option | ||
| Capstone | ||
Choose one technical course from the workshops list below. | ||
Concentrations
The remaining quarter hours may be completed by selecting a combination of a concentration and additional electives/workshops or selecting any courses in the concentrations and elective lists. You must complete any prerequisites associated with DGM courses unless granted a waiver under special circumstances.
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Data Management and Big Data | ||
| Time-Based Media | ||
| Advanced Digital Storytelling | ||
| Search Engine Optimization: Strategy and Implementation | ||
| Interdisciplinary Foundations | ||
| Fundamentals of Human Behaviors for Interactive Systems | ||
Workshops
Optional digital media workshops are designed to provide valuable technical skills and tools for students in all graduate degree programs.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students may complete one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Digital Video | ||
| Introduction to After Effects | ||
| Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) | ||
| Capstone Project Preparation | ||
| Online Documentation | ||
| Introduction to XML | ||
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
45 total quarter hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required
3D Animation
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DGM 6450 | Animation Basics | 4 |
| DGM 6510 | 3D Modeling | 4 |
| DGM 6530 | Character Animation | 4 |
| DGM 6535 | Rigging Principles and Techniques | 4 |
| DGM 6540 | Compositing | 4 |
Digital Media Management
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DGM 6230 | Digital Media Entrepreneurship | 4 |
| DGM 6279 | Project Management for Digital Media | 4 |
| DGM 6280 | Managing for Digital Media | 4 |
| DGM 6285 | Interactive Marketing Fundamentals | 4 |
| DGM 6290 | Social Media and Brand Strategy Implementation | 4 |
Digital Video
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 20 quarter hours from the following: | 20 | |
| DGM 6520 | Lighting for the Camera | 4 |
| DGM 6430 | Screenwriting: Linear and Interactive | 4 |
| DGM 6435 | Digital Video Production | 4 |
| DGM 6440 | Editing in the Digital Studio | 4 |
| DGM 6540 | Compositing | 4 |
| DGM 6545 | Documentary and Nonfiction Production | 4 |
Game Design
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DGM 6308 | Intermediate Programming for Digital Media | 4 |
| DGM 6400 | Game Design Fundamentals | 4 |
| DGM 6403 | Game Engine Fundamentals | 4 |
| DGM 6405 | Game Development | 4 |
| DGM 6410 | Game Design Technology Lab | 4 |
Interactive Design
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive Design | ||
| DGM 6461 | Interactive Information Design 1 | 4 |
| Complete four courses from one of the following tracks: | 16 | |
Design Track | ||
| Typography for Interactivity | ||
| Screen-Based Publication Design | ||
| Interactive Information Design 2 | ||
| Designing Infographics | ||
Usability and Development Track | ||
| Usable Design for Mobile Digital Media | ||
| Intermediate Programming for Digital Media | ||
| Web Development | ||
| Research Methods for Global User Experiences | ||
| Information Architecture | ||
| Content Strategy | ||
Social Media
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following: | 19-21 | |
| Required | ||
| DGM 6285 | Interactive Marketing Fundamentals | 4 |
| Electives | ||
Complete 15-17 quarter hours from the following: | ||
| Consumer Behaviors in the Online Environment | ||
| Leveraging Digital Technologies: Strategy, Assessment, and Governance | ||
| Implementation and Management of Social Media Channels and Online Communities | ||
| Digital Marketing Analytics | ||
| Social Media and Brand Strategy Implementation | ||
| Research Methods for Global User Experiences | ||
| Search Engine Optimization: Strategy and Implementation | ||