5 Things to Look for in a Digital Media Degree Program

The digital media landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, creating exciting opportunities for professionals across industries. Whether you’re interested in crafting immersive gaming experiences, driving impactful marketing campaigns, or producing cutting-edge media content, the right education can be a powerful catalyst for success.

But what is a digital media degree program, and what should you expect from this level of education?

What is a digital media degree program?

Digital media is a rapidly growing field that brings together various elements that were once offered through separate degree programs—like social media and copywriting. As a result, it enables individuals to cross-train in related media specializations and adapt their skills to meet the evolving demands of today’s marketplace.

At their core, digital media degree programs focus on practical skills and hands-on experience. These programs cover areas like:

• Content creation
• User experience (UX) design
• Social media

“Digital media is about doing and making,” says Cynthia Baron, the Academic Director of Northeastern’s Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media. Therefore, students in these programs can expect to take part in projects that solve real-world problems from start to finish using skills like storytelling, user-centered design, and digital strategy. For example, a student might work with a nonprofit client to create a comprehensive digital campaign, combining social media strategy, visual content, and data analytics to increase engagement and drive donations.

However, not all programs are created equal. Differences in curriculum, faculty, and opportunities for specialization mean that choosing the right program is essential. Whether you’re starting out, advancing your career, or pivoting to a new path, it’s important to look for key factors to ensure the program aligns with your goals.

5 Things to look for in a digital media degree program

1. Interdisciplinary curriculum

Success in digital media often hinges on the ability to collaborate across disciplines. Careers in this field require working with diverse teams to tackle complex challenges and blending creativity with technical expertise to deliver innovative solutions.

“When solving a client problem,” Baron notes. “You’re rarely going to sit with people of the same focus. Instead, you’ll be collaborating across disciplines.”

Finding a program that fosters this kind of collaboration is essential. A well-rounded digital media curriculum should include courses that span various subsets of the field, such as user experience design, digital storytelling, and game design. As Baron notes, “We don’t live in a silo. So it’s important to find a program that has courses in a variety of subsets inside digital media.”

Moreover, collaboration doesn’t have to be confined to digital media specializations. Many digital media roles require professionals to work on larger, more diverse projects that draw from multiple disciplines. Programs that encourage interdisciplinary collaboration—like Northeastern’s—help students build these skills by offering opportunities to work in real-world settings that can span across departments and industries.

In the case of Northeastern’s Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media, this approach is particularly valuable because of the university’s expansive network. “The fact that we’re part of Northeastern’s ecosystem allows us access to real clients and projects that many other programs don’t offer,” Baron says. These experiences allow students to engage in meaningful, real-world projects, giving them the skills and confidence to thrive in today’s dynamic digital media landscape.

2. Portfolio development opportunities

In digital media, your portfolio is often your most valuable asset. It’s a tangible showcase of your skills, creativity, and ability to solve real-world problems. Therefore, professionals looking for a digital media program should consider ones that prioritize hands-on projects over theoretical assignments.

“Our students graduate with a fully fledged portfolio of real-world work,” Baron notes. “And that’s important to us because that means they can more confidently showcase what they’ve done, how they did it, and why it matters.”

Employers increasingly value this kind of hands-on experience. “Employers don’t care about your GPA; they want to see outcomes,” Baron adds. That’s why programs like Northeastern’s take this a step further by aligning projects with current trends and technologies to ensure their students stay relevant in the fast-changing digital media landscape.

For example, students enrolled in Northeastern’s Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media might collaborate with a startup to design a mobile-optimized e-commerce platform. This project could include researching user behavior and integrating AI-driven recommendations to promote future business scalability. By working with AI, students not only learn practical applications but also understand how emerging technologies shape business strategies and meet evolving consumer demands.

3. Global perspectives

In digital media, a global perspective isn’t just a benefit—it’s a necessity. Online education has made this more accessible than ever, connecting students from around the world in virtual classrooms.

This format allows learners to engage with diverse perspectives and collaborate across cultures. “Online education creates classrooms of students from everywhere,” Baron says. “This creates a back-and-forth on cultural differences and ways of solving problems, which can be a huge advantage for professionals.”

Diverse perspectives can be a game-changer for creativity and problem-solving in digital media. Working alongside peers with different cultural backgrounds helps students think beyond familiar approaches and develop innovative solutions. “You aren’t always going to be the leader in everything,” Baron adds. “So maintaining a narrow view of what’s out can actually result in your missing opportunities. So our program makes sure students see beyond those limitations.”

Beyond diverse perspectives, this kind of education can also help build a strong professional network in the field. And while a nation-wide network is valuable to any career, gaining international connections can help you stand out from the crowd.

For example, Northeastern’s Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media offers students a unique global perspective. “Northeastern’s intentional global reach through our satellites and international connections gives students amazing networking opportunities that I don’t think many programs can offer students today,” Baron explains.

4. Specialization options

In the diverse field of digital media, programs with focused tracks or concentrations allow students to tailor their education to their career aspirations. By offering opportunities to dive into areas such as game design, social media strategy, or digital storytelling, these tracks help students develop the specialized skills needed to succeed.

“We aren’t just a digital media program,” Baron explains. “We have specializations where students can go deep into their areas of interest.”

For example, Northeastern’s Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media offers concentrations in:

• 3-D animation
• Digital media management
• Digital video
• Game design
• Interactive design
• Social media

In contrast, programs offering only a general digital media degree often lack these tailored opportunities. Without specializations, students may struggle to explore their interests or gain the expertise required to excel in specialized roles. Concentrations provide the structure and depth needed to prepare for careers in highly competitive fields.

By choosing a program with robust specialization options, students can align their education with their passions and long-term career goals, ensuring they are prepared to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.

5. Experienced faculty

The quality of a digital media program often hinges on its faculty. Learning from instructors who are actively engaged in the digital media industry offers students invaluable insights into current trends, tools, and best practices.

Faculty members with industry experience can bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application. “The faculty should be focused on both theory and practice so students graduate ready to work in the real world,” Baron adds.

Beyond classroom instruction, mentorship from experienced faculty plays a critical role in students’ professional growth. Instructors who understand the demands of the digital media industry can offer personalized guidance to help students refine their technical skills, explore their career interests, and identify opportunities for advancement.

“Students don’t just learn from faculty; they’re mentored by professionals who help them navigate their career paths and adjust to evolving industry demands,” Baron adds.

Stay ahead of the curve

No matter what industry you’re in, choosing the right degree program is crucial to building a successful career. However, with so many pathways in digital media, it is particularly important to do research when looking for the right degree program.

Northeastern’s Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media degree program ensures students graduate with the skills, portfolio, and professional connections needed to excel in their specialized careers. So if you’re ready to advance your career in digital media, explore Northeastern’s program to discover how it can help you achieve your goals and thrive in this dynamic industry.