Master of Digital Media at Northeastern University

Northeastern University

United States of America, Boston

University Rank:#384

Northeastern University offers the Master of Digital Media as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its Boston and Online campuses in United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 2 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for digital media and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on January 1, 2027.

About Master of Digital Media

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 six distinctive areas: 3-D animation, game design, digital video, social media, digital media management, or one of two tracks in interactive design—design or usability and development. 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.
Six concentration options provide specialized focus on distinctive areas of digital media, and optional digital media workshops are also available.
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.

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.

Complete an in-depth capstone project experience working under guidance of a faculty advisor.
Six concentration options provide specialized focus on distinctive areas of digital media, and optional digital media workshops are also available.
Program format is designed to enhance collaboration and networking opportunities for students.
This is a STEM-designated graduate degree.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Digital Media at Northeastern University

Entry 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, PTE, Duolingo, or NU Global Exam scores

English Requirements

PTEMin 76
IELTSMin 8
TOEFLMin 108

English Program Requirements

Northeastern students will be exposed to not only a rigorous academic environment but also a fast-paced experiential one. In order to be successful in both, all first-year and transfer applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English to be considered for admission to Northeastern.

Once your application is submitted, received, and processed, you will be able to access your Application Status Check. If you are required to provide further information regarding your proficiency in English, you will be able to complete the requirement in several ways, depending on your familiarity with English, and the frequency with which you use English each and every day:

Non-native English-speaking applicants will be required to submit official and valid results from one of the following English Language Tests:
- C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English)
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- IELTS Academic
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL Internt-based Test (CEEB Code: 3667) Northeastern will accept either the in-person version completed in a test center, or the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
However, based on your academic environment and the primary instructional language in either your high school or university, you may be eligible for a waiver. All waivers must be submitted through your Application Status Check. For additional information and to determine whether or not you are eligible for a waiver, please read the section below on waiving the English proficiency requirement.

Please note: Northeastern’s Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, regardless of citizenship or first language, at any time during the evaluation process.

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Digital Media

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Digital Media at Northeastern University

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Master of Digital Media at Northeastern University

1.Create your application
Submit your application through The Common Application or the Coalition Application (both are accepted). Once you have created your application, please select Northeastern University to directly submit your application to us. Application fee of $75 or need-based fee waiver* *Northeastern accepts need-based fee waivers from the Common Application, the Coalition Application, as well as organizations such as the College Board and ACT, or in a written request from a school official.
2.Submit all required materials
Double check to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Even if your application has been submitted, we cannot begin reviewing your file until all of your required materials have been received. For applicants applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.
3.Check your application status
Within seven days of applying, you should receive a confirmation email containing your Northeastern University ID number and instructions for setting up your Application Status Check account. To ensure all of the necessary documents have been submitted, and for updates or information about your application, visit your application status check.

Master of Digital Media at Northeastern University

Northeastern University

United States of America, Boston