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College of Professional Studies

Narrative Design

Certificate

Develop expertise in creating interactive, media-rich stories for digital platforms through practice-oriented problem-solving approaches that meet growing industry demand.

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Program Format
Online
Time Commitment
Part time, Full time
Duration
6 - 12 Months
Entry Term(s)
Fall, Spring
Meets F1 visa requirements
No

Program overview

Story-driven design

The Graduate Certificate in Narrative Design provides interdisciplinary training in storytelling, interactive design, and digital media production. This program prepares students for roles in the gaming industry, digital entertainment, and interactive media by teaching them how to create compelling narratives that enhance user engagement and drive commercial success.

Students gain real-world experience through practice-oriented problem-solving approaches and real-world projects with industry collaborations. The certificate offers maximum flexibility for completion and helps establish pathways toward advanced degree programs for continued professional development.

  • Flexible learning options: Complete coursework through a combination of on-ground and virtual models built to accommodate working professionals.
  • Global perspective: Learn alongside students from more than 15 countries, engaging with diverse cultural storytelling traditions and building international professional networks.
  • Industry connections: Collaborate on real-world projects with gaming and digital media industry partners, gaining practical experience with immediate professional application.
  • Expert faculty: Learn from renowned faculty with extensive experience in narrative design, game development, and interactive media production.

Admissions

Apply to the program

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.

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.


  • Online application

  • 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.)

  • 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

  • Other materials may be required

Program objectives

Prepare for success

Prepare for success in narrative design by developing storytelling, interactive design, and collaborative skills that meet the growing demand for effective storytellers.

Workforce ready

Develop the storytelling skills you need to meet the growing demand for effective narrative designers in the game design industry and digital media sectors.

Interactive storytelling

Explore the process of creating interactive, media-rich stories for digital platforms using industry-standard tools and proven methodologies.

Learning by doing

Gain practical experience in narrative design through practice-oriented, problem-solving approaches and real-world project collaboration.

Narrative innovation

Bridge classic storytelling techniques with modern interactive media to create compelling narratives for contemporary digital platforms.

Connect with us

Want more information?

We’re here to answer your questions about this program, the application process, and more. Complete the form below to receive additional program details and speak with a member of our enrollment team. 

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Degree building

Stack your certificate

Earning a graduate certificate is a fast and affordable way to acquire specialized skills while building toward your master’s degree. Upon completion of this certificate program, you may be able to apply your credits to an eligible master’s program, saving time and money on your degree.

Some of the eligible master’s programs for this certificate include:

Contact an enrollment counselor to learn more about eligibility requirements.

Market outlook
Industry at a glance
Here's a look at current market trends and the career landscape.

Occupations

Cost of attendance

Tuition and financial aid

  • $14,592 - $15,808
    Tuition in USD

Estimated Total Tuition

This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2025-2026 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.

For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.

There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more. Connect with a financial counselor to learn about your options and make your dream a reality.

Visit tuition & financial aid
Online Programs

Your education, your way

A person with curly hair in a white zip-up jacket sits at a modern kitchen table, focused on their laptop. They hold a mug and appear engaged, with natural light filtering through a window behind them.

Northeastern's online classes give you the same top-tier education you'd get in person, on a schedule that works for your lifestyle and career needs. They offer a range of videos, interactives, breakout sessions, and experience-focused learning opportunities to immerse you in the material and build community. You'll graduate with the same degree as your in-person peers.

#8

Northeastern's national ranking for Most Innovative Schools

(U.S. News & World Report, 2024)

53.5%

Percent of graduate students in the U.S. enrolled in online courses

(NCES, 2022)

97%

Percent of students in the U.S. who recommend online education

(BestColleges, 2024)