Academic Programs Catalog

The Master of Arts program in Media and Information prepares students for a broad range of professional positions in the fast-growing media and information sector. The flexible curriculum allows students to put together a customized program of study or to focus in one of three high-demand careers: user experience, management of media and information industries, and transmedia production (with an emphasis on film and/or games). The degree program also prepares students for further study at the doctoral level. Upon completion of this degree program graduates should possess a broad disciplinary base in the theory, methods, technology, design, and management of media and information in organizations and society.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Admission is determined by an evaluation of information regarding the applicant's academic record, goals and interests, experience, personal references, and other materials submitted as indicators of intellectual promise.

A bachelor's degree is required. As an interdisciplinary program, multiple backgrounds are suitable for admission to this program. Although evidence other than grades influences the admission decision, the department uses the following guideline: students whose grade–point averages for the third and fourth years of undergraduate study are 3.25 or better are admitted to regular status. Students whose grade–point averages are below 3.25 may be admitted to provisional status. Students whose grade–point averages are below 3.00 are rarely admitted.

Students may enter the program either during fall or the spring semester. However, it is highly recommended that students start their program in the fall. Additional current information may be obtained from the department’s general Web site (mi.msu.edu) or its dedicated Web site for the graduate program (gradstudies.mi.msu.edu) or the Director of Graduate Studies.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Media and Information

A minimum of 30 credits is required for the master’s degree in media and information under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis).The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.

The Graduate Certificate in Serious Game Design and Research is designed for game industry professionals already versed in game design who want to expand their knowledge to the domain of serious games, professional educators and educational technology specialists who want to understand how and why games can be used for learning, and graduate students who would like to add expertise in serious games to their courses of study. The certificate program exposes students to the state of the art in different strands of serious games such as games for learning, corporate training, newsgames, games for health, exergames, military games, and games for social change; distribution; industry structure; and theories and methods of game design

Admission

To be considered for admission into the Graduate Certificate in Serious Game Design and Research, applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Serious Game Design and Research

Students who are currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at MSU may substitute an alternative course for MI 841. This course must be related to the need for, or evaluation of, serious games. It must be selected to contribute to each student’s development of expertise and research in the chosen discipline. This alternative course must be approved by the advisor for the Graduate Certificate in Serious Game Design and Research.

The Master of Science degree in User Experience program will prepare students for many kinds of careers in human-computer interaction, user experience design, and human-centered research. The online Master of Science in User Experience program is designed to accelerate career prospects of early and mid-career professionals for leadership roles within information technology environments. The program will provide advanced user experience design training that integrates foundational human-computer interaction (HCI) knowledge with industry-relevant methods and social responsibility, which are necessary in the dynamic, agile IT development environment of the 21st century global workplace. 

Admission

Applications for admission to the program are reviewed by faculty who look for indications of a high probability of success. Such indications include a high level of academic performance, experience with educational technology, and consistency of professional goals with the objectives of the program.

To be considered for admission to the program, an applicant must:

1. Have earned a bachelor’s degree from a recognized, accredited educational institution.
2. Present evidence of competency in English, assessed with TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores, if English is not the first language.
3. Submit a letter of recommendation.
4. Submit official transcripts.
5. Submit a resume/CV and portfolio (optional).
6. Submit a 1-2 page statement describing the applicant’s background and interest in the program.
7. Submit both departmental and university application forms.

The Graduate Specialization in Management of Information Technology, which is administered by the Department of Media and Information, is available to students enrolled in the Master of Arts degree in Media and Information. With the approval of the student’s academic advisor, courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the master’s degree.

The specialization is intended for students who want to study the management of information technology, based upon a cooperation between the Department of Media and Information, and the Department of Accounting and Information Systems in the Eli Broad College of Business.

The specialization is designed to provide multiple perspectives on how information and communication technology affect the workplace, and how these technologies can be implemented in effective ways.  Students will train for roles in organizations where they will be designing, implementing and evaluating information and communication technology.  Areas of focus include business processes, the interaction of social and technical systems within organizations, design of information technology systems, and evaluation of technology within organizations.

Admission

Students must apply to the department in writing, and fill out a plan of study prior to admission to the specialization.

Requirements for the Graduate Specialization in Management of Information Technology

The Department of Media and Information participates in the doctoral program in Information and Media. This program is described under the College of Communication Arts and Sciences listing.