Master of Science in Interactive Design and Media

Interim Dean, School of Design and Engineering: G. Cromarty, 215.951.2972 Phone, cromartyg@PhilaU.edu

Interim Program Director: Sherman Finch, 215.951.5679 Phone, 215.951.2564 FAX, finchs@PhilaU.edu

Campus Location: Main Campus

Degree Program

M.S. in Interactive Digital Design

Options

• 2-Year Program

• 3-Year Program

Interactive Design and Media has had a profound impact on today’s global economy and has changed the standards in which society communicates and interacts on a daily basis. When we look at any web site, hand held device, graphic user interface, or integrated system we can see how important the role interaction and innovation plays in communicating a rich media experience. For most businesses, success depends on a well-designed, engaging, dynamic, and robust experience. The Masters in Interactive Design and Media program is dedicated to teaching students the skill sets and critically thinking ability necessary for this rapid changing field. 

Philadelphia University offers the Interactive Design and Media student a unique opportunity to study in an interdisciplinary atmosphere.

Fundamental to being successful as a member of the interdisciplinary design team is the knowledge and skill to manipulate digital technology to communicate ideas, visualize design proposals and manage information.

The predominant feature of the M.S. in Interactive Design and Media is the development of new and innovative ways of communicating, and to learn to work as a team.

The M.S. in Interactive Design and Media program emphasizes the following:

• Competence in digital technologies, analytics, information design, strategy, and methods of usability.

• A dynamic, non-linear educational environment in which students understand the overarching principles of digital technologies so they are able to adjust to and determine future technological directions in the workplace.

• The importance of collaborative and interdisciplinary work as fundamental to the success of graduates in the interactive design field.

• A strong understanding of and appreciation for cultural diversity as fundamental to the design student’s ability to serve society in a responsible and meaningful way.

• The adaptation of teaching and learning practices as a response to the possibilities afforded by new media.

The M.S. in Interactive Design and Media program concludes with a capstone final research project. In this synthesis studio, students will develop a final, working prototype of a product, service, entertainment or publication of their choice that synthesizes all of their knowledge and skill from the previous semesters. The final project will demonstrate marketability and/or successful functionality within the larger community. This project will prepare the student to enter the rapidly expanding field of interactive design by closely emulating the professional interactive design environment. It will prepare the student to enter a profession that requires innovative designers with the ability to work within a collaborative interdisciplinary team.

Admissions Criteria

M.S. in Interactive Design and Media 2-Year Program

Undergraduate design degree highly recommended.

Applicants must demonstrate a high degree of technical proficiency in interactive design as well as the ability to conceptualize and produce at a sophisticated level of communication. The background for this skill set could come from significant professional experience and/or previous study. An interactive design portfolio is necessary, along with a letter of intent specifying the student’s goals for the period of study.

M.S. in Interactive Design and Media 3-Year Program

Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of and aptitude for design or the visual arts, either through professional experience and/or previous study. A portfolio demonstrating the candidate’s creativity is required, along with a letter of intent specifying the student’s goals for the period of study. The initial courses in this track are an appropriate foundation for students who have a background in the visual disciplines but would benefit from additional design or interactive experience before they start the final years’ coursework. In some cases students from other disciplines who demonstrate a particular aptitude for design could also be accepted in the program.

Curriculum Sequence

Because of the interdisciplinary emphasis of the Interactive Design and Media program, it is anticipated that prospective students will come from various backgrounds and levels of expertise. The program is designed to accommodate these different backgrounds by offering two distinct curricular sequences as outlined on the next page.

This post-professional program is open to students who already possess an undergraduate degree or professional experience in design. They must demonstrate a high level of technical and conceptual competency in a core group of technological abilities including digital video production, web page design and rich media and/or 3D modeling and rendering.

2-Year Program

(36 graduate credits)

Year I

FALL SEMESTER 

SPRING SEMESTER

Year II

FALL SEMESTER

SPRING SEMESTER

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 36 Credits

3-Year Program

(18 foundation credits and 36 graduate credits)

This program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree. Typically, this degree will be in a visually based discipline, although in some cases students from other disciplines who demonstrate a particular aptitude for design could also be accepted in the program. Students in the 3-year program will be required to take 18 credits of foundation courses in their first year. After a summer break, they will begin master’s-level coursework.

Year I

FALL SEMESTER

Foundation Courses

SPRING SEMESTER

Foundation Courses

FOUNDATION CREDIT HOURS 18 Credits

Year II

FALL SEMESTER

SPRING SEMESTER

Year III

FALL SEMESTER

SPRING SEMESTER

GRADUATE CREDIT HOURS: 36 credits

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 54 credits