Narrative and Emerging Media, MA
Learn how to direct, produce and create impactful content using emerging media next-generation techniques such as virtual, augmented and mixed reality, artificial intelligence, and experiential media in this one-of-a-kind program in the heart of Los Angeles' media scene.
Quick facts
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
In the Master of Arts program in narrative and emerging media, you learn how to tell stories that aren't just watched or read --- they're experienced. In under one year, you learn innovative storytelling techniques, explore the emerging media marketplace, connect with the field's top professionals and develop critical media project management skills.
Through hands-on learning, you explore the entire landscape of emerging immersive media techniques --- including augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality, 360 video, animated graphics, short-form digital video and documentary production --- to tell creative fictional stories or create nonfiction journalistic work. You capture and create content for workflow in multiple industries, and you learn to lead teams of producers, engineers, writers and artists across different technologies. You build business acumen and gain enhanced insight into the research, development, and finance and business models driving the future of emerging media, which are central to the program.
Delivered exclusively at the ASU California Center Broadway location in downtown Los Angeles, the program immerses you in a state-of-the-art emerging media hub. The building includes a state-of-the-art virtual production stage --- and ASU is one of only a handful of U.S. universities to provide a studio of this caliber. In addition, the building has a green screen studio that allows for virtual-reality productions and live broadcasts, as well as markerless motion capture. You learn and work in these spaces to create compelling visual storytelling for client productions and your own passion projects.
You engage in courses that anchor content creation and project management with communication theory and current case studies, along the way building a cohesive portfolio of professional work aligned with industry standards. You also network and receive critiques from industry professionals whose work may inspire your own. When you complete the program, you are well-prepared to leap into creation, production and project management roles across the media industry or to pursue independent work.
This is a joint program offered by The Sidney Poitier New American Film School and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (NEM 693)
Required Core (21 credit hours) Other Requirements (3 credit hours) Electives (3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students must complete one course from the Other Requirements list.
NEM 501 Emerging Media (3)
NEM 510 Narrative Development and Pre-Production (3)
NEM 515 Emerging Media Production (3)
NEM 530 Emerging Media Project Management (3)
NEM 550 Diversity and Ethics in Emerging Media (3)
NEM 585 Portfolio (3)
NEM 630 Emerging Media for Clients (3)
NEM 520 AR/VR/XR for Storytelling (3)
NEM 525 Virtual Production for Storytelling (3)
NEM 601 Short Form and 360 Video Production (3)
NEM 593 Applied Project (3)
NEM 585 is a one credit hour course that must be taken three times, for a total of three credit hours.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Create compelling independent, original narrative arcs for emerging media.
- Develop an advanced and systematic critical and entrepreneurial understanding of the business for emerging media production.
- Analyze industry-specific representational practices.
Create compelling independent, original narrative arcs for emerging media. Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of the Graduate College, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 credit hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 06/01 | Final* |
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/15 | Priority* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Explore expanded study opportunities
Study abroad is possible for graduate students. Students may use elective slots to participate in applicable study abroad experiences. Students are also encouraged to pursue work globally for their applied projects.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Graduates are prepared to thrive in a growing, emerging media industry. According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report in 2023, the world's largest economies will see a 23% increase in jobs related to virtual reality by 2030.
Graduates are well-suited to careers in AR, VR and XR production; immersive storytelling; virtual production; journalism and documentary production; and media project management, or to become entrepreneurial storytellers ready to seek funding for their own projects.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
The Sidney Poitier New American Film School
and
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
|
HEXB 510-512
MANEM@asu.edu
602-496-5555
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
