Media Arts and Technology Master of science degree

7b7c04ba-a3be-4f86-beca-b23489a5853a | 107435

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Admissions Contact
David Wivell, Associate Director
585‑475‑5475, djwges@rit.edu
Program Contact
Michael Peres, Associate Chair
585‑475‑2775, mrppph@rit.edu

Offered within the
School of Photographic Arts and Sciences

Overview

Deepen your understanding of the importance of graphic communication and immerse yourself in the technologies that are changing the industry.

All businesses and organizations rely on graphic communications to increase their effectiveness in communicating ideas, instructions, and concepts. A graduate with a media masters understands the value of information design and recognizes the many ways it can be used to positively impact the bottom line. In the media arts and technology program, you will learn to leverage emerging technologies to your advantage. With a management focus, technical expertise, and comprehensive knowledge of how to drive the graphics process from concept through completion, you will be an attractive prospect in a wide range of industries, including education, engineering, marketing, research science, human resources, public relations, and more.

This program is transitioning to the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, in the College of Art and Design, effective July 1, 2019.

The MS degree in media arts and technology is a one-year program concluding with a capstone project. Students develop relevant knowledge and skills with a technical emphasis and business-oriented approach. Students recognize new ways for operating and identifying emerging technologies to meet and exceed evolving market demands, and for becoming leaders in the improvements of cross-media products and processes. The program provides students with the ability to create meaningful and measurable changes in graphic communications through applied cross-media initiatives. The required capstone project allows students to develop and demonstrate in-depth knowledge in a specific topic area. Led by senior faculty, the capstone project is designed to prepare students to be innovators in the rapidly evolving media landscape.

The curriculum concentrates on the latest technologies, processes, and strategies that allow students to employ knowledge of print, web, mobile, and social media workflows to solve communication problems. The diverse expertise of the faculty assures a breadth of relevant experience while educating students on issues and trends across the graphic communications field. The School of Media Sciences strives to be on the leading edge of graphic communications and give students the opportunity to address real-world problems within the industry. This program aims to create a collaborative environment where students combine course work with access to faculty expertise, staff support, and extensive facilities to extend their current knowledge base.

Plan of study

The program includes 30 credit hours of study and culminates in a capstone project.

Electives

Students may choose elective courses from a variety of courses offered in the School of Media Sciences or with other graduate departments and programs at RIT.

Capstone project

The capstone project requires students to develop and demonstrate extensive knowledge on a specific topic related to graphic communications. Students complete original work in the form of a number of methodologies, including experiments, comprehensive case studies, surveys, focus groups, and research analysis. Outcomes from this experience include innovation of a process, recognizing unmet customer needs, solving cross-media issues, or identifying resources required for business transformation or media solutions.

Industries

  • Advertising, PR, and Marketing

  • Consumer Packaged Goods

  • Design

  • Journalism, Media, and Publishing

Curriculum

Media arts and technology, MS degree, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
PPRT-642
Industry Issues and Trends
Industry Issues and Trends presents a detailed analysis of the critical trends and issues related to the Graphic Communications industry. It provides an in-depth analysis of key technologies with a special emphasis on emerging, disruptive innovations as well as business, environmental and regulatory issues. This course emphasizes technological trends and is intended to provide students with a fuller understanding of changes in Graphic Communication constituencies and their role within the industry. By tracing historical roots, analyzing present issues and detailing future trends, students are prepared to develop insights into the nature and scope of the major challenges facing industry leaders and how to manage these challenges.
 3
PPRT-743
Perspectives on Contemporary Publishing
This course examines publishing’s evolution in response to changes in technology and social habits. Students will gain an understanding of various publishing structures and publication types through the analysis of audience and content. The course will consider various forms of the book and periodical and their role historically and in contemporary culture. Topics will include trend recognition, promotion and marketing, materials, processes, typography, copyright issues, and innovations in publishing.
 3
PPRT-731
Digital Content Management
This course addresses digital content management through the exploration of media organization and structure. Students learn how to use the structure of digital content to deploy and style for various publishing solutions. This course will focus on understanding and analyzing digital content solutions as they apply in various business models.
 3
PPRT-603
Operations Management in the Graphic Arts
An in-depth study of the factors affecting the efficiencies and effectiveness of print media organizations and ultimately their profitability. Includes consideration of both internal factors, such as quality level goals, training, scheduling, plant layout, and financial management, and external factors, such as environmental and legal issues and safety enforcement.
 3
PPRT-703
Cross Media Workflow
This course is designed to expose students to all elements needed to master a cross media publishing project. Concepts and tools necessary for the implementation of a cross media workflow will be discussed and reinforced through hands-on exercises. Content management and industry standards and practices will be studied and applied through the context of cross media publishing.
 3
PPRT-721
Implementing Media Business Change
This course provides the knowledge required to improve a graphic communication business. Students gain an understanding of the business assessment process and the knowledge to apply analysis and decision-making skills to engage in implementing change in the Graphic Communications Industry. Students learn how to evaluate a firm’s economic, operational, and market positions and to apply practical solutions to improve business practices, operations, resource allocation, and services model.
 3
PPRT-746
Capstone I
This course will acquaint students with the resources of Rochester Institute of Technology necessary for the completion of a meaningful capstone project in a one-year timeframe. In addition, students will be introduced to the project management skills required to successfully propose a capstone project that will be meaningful, relevant and feasible.
 3
PPRT-747
Capstone II
This course will take students from their capstone proposal through the completion of a capstone project. Building on the student work in Capstone I, students will report on their capstone progress and be led by faculty through a meaningful and significant capstone in their relevant domain. In addition, students will be prepared for their chosen post-masters endeavors, including the implementation and potential publishing of their capstone project.
 3
 
Free Electives
 6
Total Semester Credit Hours
30

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MS program in media arts and technology, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Complete a graduate application.
  • Hold a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
  • Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work.
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
  • Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
  • Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources.
  • International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. A minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based) is required. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required. The English language test score requirement is waived for native speakers of English or for those submitting transcripts from degrees earned at American institutions.

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