College of Professional Studies

Digital Media Connect

Master's: Vancouver, BC
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Master's : Online
Master's : Boston, MA
Master's : Online
Master's : Boston, MA
Master's : Vancouver, BC
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The Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media Connect program is designed for students without prior experience in core technical and/or creative concepts. This program requires an additional 12 quarter hours of credit, with courses providing intensive, hands-on guidance into the essential knowledge required for the MPS Digital Media curriculum.

Vancouver, BC
Location
Full-Time
Part-Time
Commitment
18-24 Months
Duration of Program
Fall, Winter
Entry Terms
Yes
Meets Study Permit Requirements
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Overview

The Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media Connect 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 solid preparation in the three core digital media knowledge areas: design thinking, technical competency, and creative expression. 

Students in the program 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. 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.

All courses in the program are offered at a Master’s level and form the basis of the degree program.

Canadian residents beginning their studies for the inaugural fall 2024 cohort are eligible for a scholarship of 25% or up to $10,000 CAD toward their total tuition for the duration of the program.

More Details

Unique Features

  • Change careers and break into the digital media industry without getting a second bachelor's degree. Prospective students should be aware that there are 12 quarter hours of programming coursework required that should be completed in the first quarter of the program.
  • Four foundation courses focus on visual communications, programming foundations, and web creation, helping you connect your current background to a new digital media track.
  • Complete an in-depth capstone experience working under the guidance of a faculty advisor.
  • Concentration areas of Game Design and 3D Animation are available
  • The cohort program format is designed to enhance collaboration and networking opportunities for students.

Program Objectives

  • Four foundation courses help students connect their current background to a new digital media path.
  • The cohort program format is experiential by nature and is designed to enhance collaboration and networking opportunities with students around the globe. The program offers hands-on experiences such as specialized technical workshops to help students learn the operational techniques for items like web development, game programming, and design software. 
  • Our signature experiential learning model combines academics with professional practice to help students gain relevant, real-world skills they can apply to their desired industry. Northeastern offers a variety of ways for students to add experience to their resumé, including:
    • Our Experiential Network (XN), allows students to work virtually with a sponsoring organization on a short-term project over a six-week period.
    • An in-depth capstone experience working under the guidance of a faculty advisor.

Career Outlook

Employers are actively looking for digital media professionals with diverse backgrounds in social sciences, arts, music, biology, business, education, languages, and more. Advance in your current field or pivot to a new career in digital media and technology. Vancouver offers an extremely favorable employment outlook in tech—especially for professionals specializing in digital media:

  • Vancouver is the #1 VFX and animation hub in the world (2020) according to Variety, 2021. (Vancouver Economic Commission)
  • Vancouver is the third largest film and TV production centre in North America. (Vancouver Economic Commission, 2022)
  • Vancouver leads North America for high-tech job growth (+26%) over 2021-2022. (CBRE, 2023 Tech-30 report)
  • The Government of B.C.'s 10-year labor market outlook forecasts 4,600+ expected job openings for web designers and developers and 13,000+ expected job openings for computer programmers and interactive media developers from 2022-2023. (WorkBC)

Learning Outcomes

  • Specialized Knowledge
    Design and produce interactive websites and application prototypes, incorporating a variety of digital media based on established human-computer interaction principles, theory, and research.
  • Integrative Knowledge
    Assess broad communication and entertainment project goals to then design a variety of interactive digital media projects, drawing on the perspectives and methods of several interrelated creative fields.
  • Applied and Collaborative Learning
    Apply digital media narrative principles and a range of technologies and visual, design, and programming ideas to provide creative and timely solutions for practical digital media challenges.
  • Civic and Global Learning
    Develop a formal proposal, real or hypothetical, addressing a challenge or opportunity in cross-cultural and global information and communication.
  • Experiential Learning 
    Synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations within coursework or beyond the classroom.

Testimonials

"Northeastern has provided me with the skills and tools necessary to go out into the workforce and has given me the ability to test out lighting equipment, test out sound equipment, and learn on the job."

– Sarah Hoye, Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media '19

"I never thought I could do a lot of things that the program really challenged me to do; it was great to have the experience of really being pushed by professors, and by my classmates, to just learn something new."

– Rachel Newborn, Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media '18

Looking for something different?

View more Digital Media & Design programs
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

$51.9K *
Tuition for Canadian Residents (CAD)

International Students Tuition rate for International (Non-Canadian Resident): $60,368 CAD

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

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
    • The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)
  • 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

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

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Professional Studies admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:

Domestic Application Guidelines

International Application Guidelines*

*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.

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

The cohort program format is experiential by nature and is designed to enhance collaboration and networking opportunities with students around the globe. The program offers hands-on experiences such as specialized technical workshops to help students learn the operational techniques for items like web development, game programming, and design software.

  • Applied and Collaborative Learning: Apply digital media narrative principles and a range of technologies and visual, design, and programming ideas to provide creative and timely solutions for practical digital media challenges.
  • Civic and Global Learning: Develop a formal proposal, real or hypothetical, addressing a challenge or opportunity in cross-cultural and global information and communication.

Students also gain real-world experience through our Experiential Network (XN), helping to give them an advantage and apply learnings to their workplace.

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 be connected to students at our 13 campuses, as well as 300,000-plus alumni and more than 3,500 employer partners around the world. Our global university system provides you with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally and serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

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