College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences > Academics > Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse > Graduate > New Media Studies

New Media Studies (MA)


This program is no longer accepting new students; however, many of the New Media Studies courses are now offered as part of the professional and digital writing concentration in the Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse MA program. Learn more.


New Media Studies (NMS) examines the processes and platforms through which digitally-encoded media (photographs, text, audio, film) operate and circulate. The program focuses on how these media are combined into new media forms including websites, interactive games, graphic design, webcasts, sales and technical information.

In this Master of Arts program, student study ways to create and better understand:

  • Content strategies
  • Web and interactive design and development
  • The transformation of visual and written communication on digital platforms
  • The role of visual and written communication within a broad digital culture

Program Highlights

Theoretical Depth
Our program stresses big thinking. Student gain an understanding of the historic role of new media in shaping contemporary consciousness, as well as of the relationship between new and old media. Courses focus on:

  • Rhetoric and visual design- how visual, image-based communication differs from and interrelates with text
  • Traditional written communication
  • How design, as a deliberate shaping of spatial and media environments, affects the way we make meaning as communicators and readers

Practical Application
We strive to give students the hands-on skills needed to:

  • Make decisions about media
  • Move digital media projects from idea to completion
  • Build and sustain successful ongoing digital campaigns
  • Connect with us

    NMS maintains a robust Facebook group that connects current students with alumni. Join for posts about new media-related meetups, job leads and more.

     

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