The master’s program is normally a 10-month, 40-credit program, and includes a final project and participation in a year-long extended group research project seminar, which is known as the Master’s Collaboratory. Though most students complete the degree on a full-time basis, the curriculum may be completed part-time as well.

Students in the MA program are able to complete their degrees via one of the following three options. Normally, students select an option during the application process, but you are also able to change this upon completion of your first semester.

In the Emerging Media Studies program, you will learn:

  • Engage with world-leading software platforms and innovative analytic techniques that inform how to think theoretically and critically about emerging media.
  • Ways to effectively analyze new issues concerning online and offline behaviors using advanced theoretical and empirical models.
  • Approaches for leading and managing research projects on emerging media issues
  • Best practices in producing reports with sophisticated analytical tools
  • Skills to translate research results into terms meaningful to clients and audiences
  • A mastery of major issues in the fields of media, journalism, politics, and policy, depending on student interests
  • How to understand and create data visualization from raw data
  • Use of cutting edge tools in big data analysis (e.g., Gephi, NodeXL, UCINET) and user experience research (e.g., iMotions biometric platform), as well as core fundamental tools (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SPSS, Stata)

Keep In Mind:

  • The Professional Option includes three semesters of enrollment (fall, spring, summer). Students should anticipate three semesters of tuition and fees.
  • The Thesis and Internship Option may require an additional semester to complete.
  • While students are welcome to participate in the May commencement ceremonies in Boston, classes continue in the first summer session. Degrees are then formally awarded after all program requirements are complete.

Thesis/Pre-Doctoral Option

Students that select the Thesis/Pre-Doctoral option normally seek a more in-depth research experience. Often, these students will apply for entry to a doctoral program following completion of the MA degree. MA students are eligible to apply for the Ph.D. Program in Emerging Media Studies, but admission is not guaranteed.

Please be aware that choosing to complete a thesis could extend your course of study. A thesis may require an additional semester to complete.

Required Classes

  • COM EM909 Emerging Media Studies Thesis (4 cr.)

Electives

Two electives (8 cr.). Students are encouraged to choose graduate-level courses across COM, BU, and the Boston area consortium that enhance their research interests. Students should pay close attention to prerequisites for any course they seek to take.

Internship Option

Students that seek a professional career in emerging media immediately following completion of their master’s degree may choose to complete an internship to gain professional experience.

In some cases, the internship option lengthens the program by one semester. The internship option in EMS has the following guidelines:

  1. All students must have their internship approved by the Director of the Division of Emerging Media Studies and the Office of Graduate Affairs.
  2. No student in EMS may complete an internship during Summer Session I.
  3. International students may not complete an internship in their first academic year.
  4. US citizens and permanent residents may not complete an internship in their first semester.
  5. Part-time students must check with the Division of Emerging Media Studies regarding eligibility for an internship.

Required classes

2017/18 Internships

Electives

Two electives (8 cr.). Students are encouraged to choose graduate-level courses across COM, BU, and the Boston area consortium that enhance their professional interests. Students should pay close attention to prerequisites for any course they seek to take.

Professional Option

Students entering the program with prior work experience in a related field may choose to deepen their academic knowledge with additional elective credit. In this option, students are not required to complete an internship or a thesis.

This option is recommended for students who wish to complete the program in 10 months or for part-time students.

Electives

Three electives (12 cr.). Students are encouraged to choose graduate-level courses across COM, BU, and the Boston area consortium that enhance their research and/or professional interests. Students should pay close attention to prerequisites for any course they seek to take.

Approved Emerging Media Studies MA Electives

The following elective classes do not require prerequisite coursework.

Fall 2019 Electives

  • COM EM 793: Psychology of Emerging Media – EM 793 will be offered in the Fall 2019 semester.
  • COM EM 544: Social Consequences of Emerging Media – EM 544 will be offered in the Fall 2019 semester.
  • COM CM 703/707: Writing for Media Professionals – CM 707 will be offered in the Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semester. *Enrollment is contingent on available seats.
  • MET CS 201: Introduction to Programming – Contact Boston University’s Metropolitan College for information on when this course will be offered.
  • MET CM 737: Social Networks in Strategic Communication Planning – Contact Boston University’s Metropolitan College for information on when this course will be offered.
  • COM CM 831: International Communication – EM 831 will be offered in the Fall 2019 semester.
  • COM EM 855: Computer-Assisted Text Analysis – EM 855 will be offered in the Fall 2019 semester. Contact dems@bu.edu for course description.
  • COM CM 701: Contemporary Public Relations – CM 701 will be offered in the Fall 2019 semester. This class serves as the prerequisite class for most PR coursework. *EMS enrollment in CM 701 can begin August 16th after Public Relations students have finished registering. Enrollment is contingent on available seats.
  • COM CM 708: Principles and Practices of Advertising – CM 708 will be offered in the Fall 2019 semester. This class serves as the prerequisite class for most Advertising coursework. *EMS enrollment in CM 708 can begin August 16th after Advertising students have finished registering. Enrollment is contingent on available seats.

Spring 2020 Electives

Summer 2020/Fall 2020 Electives

  • COM EM 847: Time, Place & Social Data: Advanced Issues in Large Scale Analysis & Visualization – EM 847 will be offered in the Summer 2020 semester. Contact dems@bu.edu for course description.  
  • COM EM 889: Advanced Issues in Emerging Media Content Production – EM 889 will be offered in the Summer 2020 semester. Contact dems@bu.edu for course description.  
  • COM EM 911: Internship – EMS students are eligible to pursue an internship in the Summer II 2020 or Fall 2020 semester.*
  • COM EM 909: Thesis Project – EMS students are eligible to pursue a thesis project in the Spring 2019, Summer 2020 or Fall 2020 semester.

*In some cases, the internship option lengthens the program by one semester. The internship option in EMS has the following guidelines:

  1. All students must have their internship approved by the Director of the Division of Emerging Media Studies and the Office of Graduate Affairs.
  2. No student in EMS may complete an internship during Summer Session I.
  3. International students may not complete an internship in their first academic year.
  4. US citizens and permanent residents may not complete an internship in their first semester.
  5. Part-time students must check with the Division of Emerging Media Studies regarding eligibility for an internship.

The following elective classes do require prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite classes must be taken at least one semester before and cannot be taken simultaneously. Please take note of the required prerequisites and when they are offered to ensure you can take the desired class.