Boston University - College of Communication
MA in Emerging Media Studies
Boston, USA
MA
DURATION
3 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
03 May 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 69,870 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* priority deadline: February 1; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until our final deadline: May 1
** additional fees may apply
Key Summary
Explore the forefront of media evolution with Boston University's Master's program in Emerging Media Studies (STEM eligible). Delve into the theoretical, philosophical, and practical dimensions of how emerging media technologies shape cultures, industries, and communities, covering human behavior, social media analysis, organizational communication, and Big Data. Through a 10-month curriculum, you'll:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of emerging media's impact, blending theoretical insights with hands-on experience
- Hone methodological and empirical skills, conducting original research
- Utilize cutting-edge software for data visualization, advanced Big Data analysis, and user experience research, from quantitative techniques to machine learning.
- Refine communication skills, presenting research findings to diverse audiences, from peers to industry leaders.
- Co-create a final semester-long project in which you and a group of classmates will work with a client to solve a critical media challenge, demonstrating practical value and enhancing your professional portfolio.
- Learn from leading researchers who bring theory to life.
- Ultimately join a vibrant alumni network working in tech, media, and beyond, or pursuing a PhD program in a related field
Immerse yourself in world-leading software platforms, innovative analytic techniques, and best practices in research project leadership. Whether your interests lie in commercial, nonprofit, governmental, or academic sectors, our program equips you with the expertise to navigate the complex landscape of emerging media. Join us and embark on a transformative journey into the future of media, journalism, politics, policy, and more.
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.
Required Classes
- COM EM 700 Introduction to Emerging Media
- COM EM 747 Trending Insights: Social Data Analysis and Visualization
- COM EM 757 User-Producers 2.0: Developing Interactivity
- COM EM 777 Master Collaboratory Project
- COM EM 797 Connecting Humans: Networks, History and Social Media
Electives (12 credits)
Three electives are required for completion of the program. In addition to the approved electives in other programs, students may especially wish to consider electives offered by the Division, such as:
- COM EM 755 Measuring Media Effects: Experimental Design and Measurement
- COM EM 795 Gamification and Motivational Design of User Experiences
- COM EM 797 Connecting Humans: Networks, History and Social Media
Please note:
- Students are encouraged to choose 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.
- A thesis (EM 909) or an internship (EM 911) may count as an elective toward the program.
- The thesis (EM 909) and the internship (EM 911) electives may require the student to extend the duration of the program an additional one to two semesters.
- Demonstrate by means of written papers and other coursework a theoretical, philosophical, historical, and practical understanding of how emerging media technologies come to affect cultures, industries, and the lives of individuals and communities.
- Make methodological and empirical skills and strategic, integrated thinking evident through coursework that addresses issues related to emerging media technologies. Coursework may encompass novel empirical research (including original data collection and analysis), systematic reviews of existing literature, and the development of prototype media applications.
- Display research skills related to cutting-edge and specialized hardware and software to analyze data collected via advanced quantitative analysis, text mining, machine learning, or physiology/psychology experiments.
- Via oral presentations – within the class, at campus research symposia, and at national and international conferences – exhibit competence in communicating scientific information to audiences of peers, industry leaders, and scholars.
- Co-create a project report, based on original research, that demonstrates value to a client, and incorporate this project into the student’s portfolio. Depending on the student’s interests, this report could address the commercial, service, nonprofit, governmental, or academic sectors.
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 a core fundamental tools (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SPSS, Stata).
Keep In Mind:
- The Professional Option includes three semesters of enrollment (fall, spring, and 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.
Benefit from Boston
One of BU’s greatest resources is its location. Consistently ranked among the most livable cities in the world, Boston is “America’s college town,” a city rich in history while remaining at the forefront of culture and innovation e. Boston is a Top 10 U.S. media market, and home to some of the world’s best creative agencies, media companies, and leading employers — offering boundless opportunities for internships and careers.