Narrative and Emerging Media, MA

Program Overview

The Narrative and Emerging Media MA program equips students with the skills to tell impactful stories through emerging media like virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. The program offers a balance of content creation, project management, and industry insights, preparing graduates for careers in AR/VR production, immersive storytelling, and media project management. Located in downtown Los Angeles, the program provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and renowned industry professionals.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Narrative and Emerging Media, MA (NEMMA)

This program, offered jointly by The Sidney Poitier New American Film School and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills to tell impactful stories through innovative emerging media like virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality.

Within a year, students gain expertise in:

• Storytelling techniques
• The emerging media market
• Collaboration with industry professionals
• Media project management
The curriculum delves into immersive media techniques, including:
• Augmented reality
• Virtual reality
• Extended reality
• 360 video
• Animated graphics
• Short-form digital video
• Documentary production
• Students learn to create compelling stories – both fictional and journalistic – and work across various technologies, leading teams of creators across disciplines.
They also gain valuable business acumen and insights into research, development, finance, and business models within the emerging media landscape.
• Importantly, the program is housed in the ASU California Center – Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, offering access to state-of-the-art facilities:
• Virtual production stage (one of the few available in US universities)
• Green screen studio for virtual reality productions and live broadcasts
• Markerless motion capture
These spaces allow students to develop their creative vision and produce professional-level work.
• The curriculum balances content creation and project management with communication theory and current case studies, leading to a cohesive portfolio aligned with industry standards.
Students also network and receive critiques from renowned industry professionals. The program prepares graduates for diverse roles in:
• Creation
• Production
• Project management across the media industry, as well as to pursue independent endeavors.

Additional Highlights:

• downtown Los Angeles
• STEM-OPT eligible for international students on F-1 visas (potential 36-month extension)

Outline:

MA in Narrative and Emerging Media

Program Structure:

• 30 credit hours
• 9-month duration

Required Courses:

• Core (21 credits):
• Emerging Media
• Narrative Development and Pre-Production
• Emerging Media Production
• Emerging Media Project Management
• Diversity and Ethics in Emerging Media
• Portfolio
• Emerging Media for Clients
• Other Requirements (3 credits):
• Choose one from: AR/VR/XR for Storytelling, Virtual Production for Storytelling, Short Form and 360 Video Production
• Electives (3 credits):
• Student-selected
• Culminating Experience (3 credits):

Careers:

Career Opportunities:

This degree prepares graduates for success in the growing field of emerging media. Graduates are well-equipped for careers in:

• AR, VR, and XR production
• Immersive storytelling
• Virtual production
• Journalism and documentary production
• Media project management
• Entrepreneurial storytelling

Other:

• Global experience opportunities through study abroad and project work
• Access to industry-level facilities and equipment
• Connection with renowned industry professionals through networking and critiques

Conclusion:

The Narrative and Emerging Media MA program offers a unique and valuable opportunity for aspiring media professionals seeking to embrace the power of innovative storytelling techniques in a dynamic and rapidly evolving field.