The MA in Digital Communication and Media Arts (DCMA) teaches students to bring stories to life. Transmedia is the art and craft of telling a story across a span of digital (and non-digital) media. Whether this be in the style that builds campaigns around franchises and popular fandoms, or the approach of splintering a story across media to take advantage of the affordances of each form, transmedia is the nexus to which all media converges.

This program uniquely bridges two colleges (CDM and the College of Communication), resulting in a truly interdisciplinary degree that affords students the opportunity to apply theory and research to medium specific design practices and transmedia storytelling. This is a practical degree, in that it teaches students technical and artistic skills in various digital (and physical) media, while giving them the critical tools to become better communicators in a digital environment.

Students choose one of two tracks. The Media Arts track offered through CDM prepares professional media artists to be leaders in transmedia storytelling and media production. The skills they acquire will open up a range of career opportunities that include: online marketing, mobile communications, interactive media design, online content creation, web design, social media, digital product design and development. Students coming into the program with previous training or experience in a digital medium can prepare for roles in media art direction, project management and digital media management.

Students interested in the Digital Communication track, which focuses on the theory and strategy of planning and writing about media, should apply through the College of Communication.

Degree Requirements

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Understand and effectively explain how digital technology has affected communication practices across a range of subjects and disciplines, including the underlying ethical issues digital technology has brought to contemporary society.
• Assess and inventory relevant media projects; apply varied research methods and design thinking to develop new and relevant digital media products that address contemporary problems.
• Adequately demonstrate key competencies in still and moving image production, graphic and interactive design, and other technologies related to digital media arts.
• Identify and employ the affordances of digital media components in order to effectively develop a story or campaign across multiple media formats.
• Develop and deliver professional-level project pitches and research presentations.

Alumni Insights

“The DCMA program is made up of incredible faculty and backed by a stellar college. I felt supported 100% of the time and always felt comfortable with my professors. I was allowed to tailor the classes to fit what I wanted to learn, which is incredibly valuable.”

“I gained a tremendous amount of knowledge, not just from the classes, but from my peers as well. I feel more confident and skilled in digital media.”

“DCMA is a great program and I highly recommend it if you're trying to get into the digital marketing field or design.”

Curriculum Requirements

Introductory Courses

No Introductory Course may be substituted for any other course at any level.

Introductory courses may be waived for any of the following conditions based on faculty review:

• The student has the appropriate course work to satisfy an Introductory Course based on an official transcript review by faculty and successful grades, typically B or better.
• The student has appropriate and verified professional experience to satisfy an Introductory Course which is demonstrated through successful completion of a GAE exam.
• If a Graduate Assessment Examination (GAE) is available for the Introductory Courses, upon successfully completion of a GAE, a waiver will be issued.

•  DMA 402 Intro to Visual Communications Principles
•  DMA 405 Intro to Visual Communication Tools

Foundation Courses

•  CMNS 570 Introduction to Digital Cmn
•  DMA 525 Foundation of Digital Media
•  DMA 530 Design Thinking and Storytelling
•  MCS 575 Digital Media Ethics

Advanced Courses

•  DMA 527 Creative Process and Strategy
•  DMA 535 Storytelling Across Media

Students should also select 12 credit hours of advanced courses from the following list:

•  DMA 410 Design Workshop
•  DMA 415 Audio Workshop
•  DMA 425 Still Image Workshop
•  DMA 475 Moving Image Workshop
•  DMA 480 Web/Media Delivery Workshop
•  DMA 490 Portfolio
•  EXP 440 Designing Playful Experiences
•  EXP 442 Designing Interfaces for Emerging Technologies
•  FILM 401 Fundamentals of Cinema Production
•  HCD 421 Design and Human Experience

Thesis/Capstone

•  DMA 695 Thesis I
•  DMA 698 Thesis II

Major Elective Courses

Students are required to take 8 credit hours from Major Elective Courses according to the following criteria:

• Students should choose the eight (8) Credit Hours of graduate level elective courses from a College of Communication graduate program.

Master's Thesis Project

Students must complete a Master's Thesis Project as part of the degree requirements. Students have two options for how to complete the Master's Thesis Project:

• Individual - The student will create an original project and a 20-30 page accompanying written research documentation and report/analysis.
• Collaborative - Students work in teams of 2-4 students to complete an original project and a 40-60 page accompanying written research documentation and report/analysis.

Students must have completed the necessary prerequisite classes and at least 8 courses (32 credit hours) in the DCMA program toward their 52 required credits (credits earned from Introductory Courses do not count toward the required total credits). Students should discuss a meeting with a faculty member to discuss the requirements.

Thesis Milestones:

• Fall - Before the end of the fall quarter, students should submit a written proposal to advising faculty outlining their Thesis concept.
• Winter - Enroll in  DMA 695 Thesis I.
• Spring - Enroll in  DMA 698 Thesis II.
• Spring - Participate in end of the year showcase and/or symposium.

 

Degree Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 52 graduate credit hours in addition to any required introductory courses of the designated degree program.
• Complete all graduate courses and requirements listed in the designated degree program.
• Earn a grade of C- or better in all courses of the designated degree program.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Students pursuing a second (or more) graduate degree may not double count or retake any course that applied toward the completion of a prior graduate degree. If a required course in the second degree was already completed and applied toward a previous degree, the student must meet with a faculty advisor to discuss a new course to be completed and substituted in the new degree. This rule also applies to cross-listed courses, which are considered to be the same course but offered under different subjects.
• Students pursuing a second master's degree must complete a minimum of 52 graduate credit hours beyond their first designated degree program in addition to any required introductory courses in their second designated degree program.

Students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher will graduate with distinction.

For DePaul's policy on repeat graduate courses and a complete list of academic policies see the DePaul Graduate Handbook in the Course Catalog.