Program Overview

Online Master's in Digital Media Degree

The online MS in Digital Media at Drexel University is a 45-credit interdisciplinary graduate program that prepares students for advanced work in digital design, animation, games, immersive media, and critical media studies. By combining elements of a research-based graduate program with a hands-on approach to learning the most up-to-date industry skills, this online digital media degree will prepare you for careers throughout the digital media industry.

Program Features

• Program structured around three core domains: Art & Design, Technology, and Critical Thinking
• 100% online with most classes delivered in a synchronous format
• All courses in Drexel's Westphal College of Media Arts and Design are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design
• Courses cover different areas of digital media, including digital game design, animation, virtual and augmented reality, as well as interaction and user experience design
• Students gain hands-on experience with emerging tools for real-time rendering, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), AI-enhanced workflows, and interactive storytelling
• Faculty are industry experts with years of experience in the field
• Individualized educational experience and culminating capstone project or research thesis, allowing students to tailor their experience to their professional goals and creative interests
• Option to complete the "Digital Media Skills Intensive" sequence in a summer workshop with a 6-week residency component

Requirements for The MS in Digital Media Program

To be eligible for Drexel's online MS in Digital Media, you must hold an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.2. Submission of a portfolio showcasing creative work of any kind is recommended, but not required.

Program Structure

The online MS in Digital Media is a 45-credit interdisciplinary graduate program that consists of five major components:

• Digital Media Core: A sequence of three courses building the basis for activities in digital media research and development
• Digital Media Specialization: A sequence of six foundational courses in game design, modeling and animation, and interactivity
• Digital Media Skills Intensive: A nine-credit, highly individualized course sequence that allows you to develop advanced skills in an area related to your thesis project
• New Media Project: A two-course sequence aimed at teaching you how to take an idea through research and development toward a final product
• Thesis Project: A capstone that combines elements of a research thesis with the requirement of completing a digital media development project

Careers in Digital Media

The online MS in Digital Media prepares you for careers in digital game design and development, interactive entertainment, education, marketing communications, and advertising. Some common job titles for graduates with this degree are:

• Video Game Designer
• Computer and Information Research Scientist
• Multimedia Artist and Digital Animator
• Art Director
• 3D Artist
• Gameplay Programmer
• UX/UI Designer
• AR/VR Developer
• Immersive Media Specialist
• Technical Artist
• Digital Experience Designer
• Interactive Media Producer
• Motion Capture Technician
• Simulation Developer
• Digital Project Manager
• Human-Centered Design Researcher
• Digital Storytelling Specialist
• Emerging Technologies Strategist

MS in Digital Media Salary Expectations

Your exact salary will vary based on your location and job title. However, common salaries for titles you may obtain after completing your MS in Digital Media include:

• Art Director: $94,220
• Multimedia Artist / Digital Animator: $75,270
• Computer and Information Research Scientist: $122,840
• Video Game Designer: $73,760

Courses

This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year. The courses are divided into three domains: Art and Design, Technology, and Critical Thinking.

Art and Design Domain

• DIGM 551: Critical and Speculative Design for Digital Media
• DIGM 552: Visual Storytelling in Digital Media
• DIGM 553: Experimental Digital Media Lab

Technology Domain

• DIGM 561: Digital Media Technologies
• DIGM 562: Interactive Media and User Experience
• DIGM 563: Emerging Technologies in Digital Media
• DIGM 664: Advanced Topics in Digital Media

Critical Thinking Domain

• DIGM 571: Digital Media Project Management
• DIGM 572: Digital Media Research Strategies
• DIGM 573: Critical Theories in Digital Media
• DIGM 674: Ethics and Social Impact of Digital Media
• DIGM 675: Future Trends in Digital Media

Capstone and Thesis Development

• DIGM 691: Digital Media Research and Project Development I
• DIGM 692: Digital Media Research and Project Development II
• DIGM 693: Digital Media Thesis/Capstone Finalization

Admissions Criteria

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Minimum GPA of 3.2
• Portfolio showcasing creative work of any kind (recommended but not required)

Tuition

The tuition rate for the academic year is $1190 per credit. This program is eligible for Financial Aid. Special tuition rates are available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of partner organizations.

Academic Calendar

The academic calendar is organized into four 10-week quarters per year. The exact dates for each quarter may vary, but generally, the quarters start in September, January, March, and June.