Media Arts and Technology Master of science degree
Media Arts and Technology
Master of science degree
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.
The MS degree in media arts and technology is a one-year program that concludes 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 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 a range of graduate departments and programs at RIT.
Capstone project
The capstone project requires students to develop and demonstrate extensive knowledge of 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
Typical Job Titles
| Client Service Manager/Coordinator | Content Manager |
| Creative Director | Cross-media Specialist |
| Digital Production Specialist | Director of Creative Strategies |
| Director of Media Planning and Analysis | Doctoral Candidate |
| Manager of Media Technology | Multimedia Account Executive |
| Marketing and Communications Project Coordinator | Mobile Media Specialist |
| Production Manager | Project Manager |
| Social Media Project Manager | Teacher |
| Web Applications Manager | Web Consultant |
Featured Work
Prepped for Success
Students in RIT's Media Arts and Technology master of science program are prepared to enter various fields upon graduation. They develop a diverse skill set that allows them to succeed as...
Digital Image Archive
Students in RIT’s Media Arts and Technology MS program take a variety of courses during their rigorous, one-year curriculum. Courses in the degree were selected to give students immersive experiences...
Featured Profiles
Advancing the Photographic Industry
Bob Rose
Assistant professor Bob Rose brings his vast industry knowledge and impact to his students.
Balancing Academics and Athletics
Logan Land, a student in the Media Arts and Technology master of science program, has maintained a busy lifestyle as a student-athlete at RIT. The captain of RIT's 2019-20 women's hockey team,...
Curriculum
Media Arts and Technology, MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| PHMS-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 and improve business practices, operations, resource allocation, and services models.
|
3 |
| PHMS-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 efficiently in various traditional and emerging publishing solutions and business models.
|
3 |
| PHMS-743 |
Perspectives on Contemporary Media and Communications
This course examines publishing’s evolution in response to changes in technology and social habits. Students gain an understanding of various publishing structures and publication types through the analysis of audience and content. The course covers various forms of books, periodicals, and their role from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Topics include: trend recognition, promotion and marketing, materials, processes, typography, copyright issues, and innovations in publishing.
|
3 |
| PHMS-746 |
Capstone I
This course introduces students to the resources of Rochester Institute of Technology necessary for the completion of a capstone project in a one-year timeframe. Students learn project management skills required to successfully propose a capstone project that is meaningful, relevant and feasible.
|
3 |
| PHMS-747 |
Capstone II
This course guides students from their capstone proposal through the completion of a capstone project. Building on Capstone I, students complete a meaningful and significant capstone in their relevant domain. In addition, students prepare for their chosen post-masters endeavors, including the implementation and potential publishing of their capstone project.
|
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-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-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 |
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 88 (internet-based) is required. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (with balanced sub-scores) 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.
Learn about admissions, cost, and financial aid
Latest News
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March 5, 2020
![A portrait of Ben Camp.]()
Hands-on experience at RIT leads to career success for alumnus
Ben Camp '13 BS, '18 MS (Media Arts and Technology) is a graphic designer at Illuminate, a clinical sales training and development agency.
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December 23, 2019
![A headshot of Lynne Tseng.]()
Student combines industry experience with graduate studies
As a working professional and graduate student in RIT's Media Arts and Technology program, Lynne Tseng '11 (Photographic Sciences) has learned how to balance a career with furthering her education.
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November 20, 2019
![Students, faculty and Dean Todd Jokl pose for a photo with Steve Sasson]()
Digital camera inventor visits graduate photography class
Steve Sasson, a longtime engineer at Kodak, engaged students with the story of his life-changing work in Kodak research labs — from the technical challenges to how a prominent world news event helped push the technology to market.
