MA in Digital Media Design for Learning

Format: Full-time/Part-time
Credits: 36

Area of Focus

1. Learning Analytics and Educational Data Science (LADS) Specialization

You'll learn how to design and create information and decision-making tools for educational settings that are based on data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

2. Online Learning Design (OLE)

In this highly relevant specialization, you’ll learn about the specific challenges and opportunities in conducting learning and interactivity at a distance. You will build on the latest findings in learning sciences to design engaging online experiences for K–12, higher education, and adult learning environments.

3. Games for Learning (G4L) Concentration

You'll create, use, and evaluate digital games for use in learning environments, both formal and informal.

4. How to create, use, and evaluate media and technology for learning across varied contexts—K–12 schools, universities, workplaces, museums, nonprofits, and international development.

5. How to critically analyze historical developments, theoretical shifts, and broad trends in practice in the field of educational technology, focusing especially on challenges and opportunities afforded by changes in media & technology landscapes and educational trends.

6. Skills to produce prototypes, support design thinking and instructional design processes as well as produce media in traditional and emerging media.

7. How to apply principles of design and practice that hold the greatest promise for enriching learning experiences across the spectrum of learning environments- from informal to formal learning as well as face to face and online learning.

How you'll learn

Core Courses and Electives

You will study media design principles and theoretical perspectives drawn from the cognitive sciences, the learning sciences, developmental models of learning, constructivist and constructionist philosophies of learning, and social learning theories. At the same time, our project-based curriculum prepares you to design rich technology-based, multimedia learning environments and to understand and evaluate their use in wide-ranging educational settings.

The program exposes you to the design of computer-based, multimedia simulations and games for learning, dramatic and documentary narratives, media that support advocacy and advance social justice, the educational potential of social media, educational data mining, learning analytics and educational applications of media and technology for international development.

Flexible Study

The curriculum offers flexibility in creating a program of study that you and your adviser can tailor to fit your professional goals and interests. You can choose to study full-time or part-time

Fieldwork and Internships

Interns in the DMDL program gain professional field experience in chosen career areas. Students have the opportunity to explore diverse opportunities in the profession throughout the New York metropolitan area. They learn through supervised participation in learning technology, instructional design and production, product design and development and a wide range of other professional positions and practices.

Thesis Capstone Project

The thesis capstone project is a culminating project in which you will integrate and apply what you have learned through previous academic work, internships and other experiences and interests – with faculty supervision. These projects may be "new," relative to work done in previous courses; or they may be projects started in a previous course that become significantly expanded and enhanced for the thesis capstone.

#47 out of 300 universities worldwide for Education, QS World University Rankings

Through course work, internships, and your thesis project, you’ll be prepared to:

• Create, use, and evaluate media and technology for learning across varied contexts – K–12 schools, universities, workplaces, museums, nonprofits, and international development.
• Critically analyze historical developments, theoretical shifts, and broad trends in practice in the field of educational technology, focusing especially on challenges and opportunities afforded by changes in media and technology landscapes and educational trends.
• Produce prototypes and media, and support design thinking and instructional design.
• Apply principles of design and practice that hold the greatest promise for enriching learning experiences across the spectrum of learning environments – from informal to formal learning as well as face-to-face and online learning.

You’ll have the skills and knowledge for a breadth of careers, including:

• Designer or producer in educational software companies designing and producing technology-based learning.
• Consultant to schools and school districts at all levels, as academic technology coordinators or professional development specialists in the integration of technology in curriculum and instruction.
• A faculty member or other leadership role in a college/university setting in areas such as instructional design & technology, faculty teaching and learning support services, academic innovation, or online/e-learning course development.
• Director or instructional designer in the learning and development departments within corporate settings.
• Interactive exhibit designer or website developer for cultural institutions such as visual arts and children's museums, science centers, and museums, and historical and international societies.
• Designer or producer in media production company or organization, designing and producing educational programming, interactive digital games, simulations, and narrative fiction.
• Producer or educational technology director at a publishing company that is increasingly producing media as companions or replacements to textbooks in every subject for every grade level.

Program Benefits for International Students

If you’re an international student, you may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in this program may also be eligible for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing you to extend your time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years.