Naperville, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Why pursue an Interactive Media Studies degree at North Central College?
The separate interactive media studies track of convergent media and interactive media technology focus on the creative side of the media industry. Convergent media program majors explore visual, written, and interactive media along with the aesthetics of modern media forms. Interactive media technology majors focus on the intersections among web, gaming, and design, with an emphasis on computer science components. Students have access to dedicated Mac labs and equipment in support of their creative projects surrounding web and game design.
Through our interactive media program, we strive to create a bridge between applied science, fine arts, and interactive entertainment to help students develop both strong technical skills and a keen understanding of modern media art.
You can also:
- Obtain hands-on experience and skills in creative, interactive content design, game development, media production, and many other opportunities through our unique Practicum courses.
- Develop an interactive design portfolio with samples of your visual effects, animation, and/or motion graphics.
- Forge corporate connections that can lead to valuable experiences in internships and jobs.
Curriculum
Interactive Media Studies, Convergent-Media Track, BA
Major Requirements
Core Courses
- MEDI 200 - Digital Media Writing
- MEDI 240 - Media Law and Ethics
- ARTD 140 - Digital Art and Design
- COMM 185 - Global Media in a Digital Age
Web Design
- ARTD 245 - Web Design
Practica
Two semesters from any of the following:
- MEDI 113 - Video Practicum
- MEDI 152 - College News Practicum
- MEDI 297 - Internship
- MEDI 397 - Internship
- MEDI 497 - Internship
- ARTD 195 - Practicum: Design Agency
- ENGL 118 - College Humor Magazine Practicum
- ENGL 120 - College Literary Magazine Practicum
Capstone
One of the following:
- MEDI 485 - Multimedia Production Capstone
- ARTD 494 - Professional Practices
Convergent Media Courses
One of the following:
- MEDI 225 - Newsgathering I
- MEDI 255 - Social Media
- MEDI 370 - Screenwriting
- ENGL 212 - Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies: Text/Technologies
- ENGL 280 - Introduction to Professional Writing
Multimedia Production Skills
Three of the following, no more than two from the same department:
- MEDI 222 - Video Storytelling I
- MEDI 262 - Introduction to Digital Audio
- MEDI 265 - Photo Journalism
- MEDI 322 - Video Storytelling II
- MEDI 405 - Advanced Digital Audio Production
- ARTD 100 - Visual Literacy
- ARTD 107 - 2D Design: Explorations in Image-Making
- ARTD 340 - Motion Graphics
- ARTD 242 - Graphic Design I: Typography
- ARTD 275 - Photography II: Digital
- ARTD 280 - Animation I: Methods and Story
- INFS 110 - Introduction to Data Analysis, Modeling, and Presentation
- INFS 115 - Introduction to Website Development
- INFS 215 - Introduction to Web Programming
- MUSI 385 - Computer and Electronic Music
Advanced Analysis, Context, and Writing
Two of the following, no more than one from the same department:
- MEDI 315 - History of Journalism
- COMM 389 - Gender, Sexuality and Mass Media
- COMM 412 - Media Criticism
- COMM 415 - Media Institutions
- ENGL 342 - Advanced Creative Nonfiction
- FILM 300 - History of Global Film
- FILM 490 - Film Theory and Criticism
Additional Requirements for the BA Degree
Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language.
Career Opportunities
A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.
Internships
- Intern, Naperville Community Television
- Intern, Wizdom Systems Inc., Naperville
- Sports news intern, Fox News Chicago
- Interactive media manager, The Union, Naperville
- Graphic designer, Sightmark Inc / SpeediSign, Naperville
- Gaming website editor, GamesRadar/Future US, South San Francisco, CA
- Web developer, Automotive Internet Media, La Grange, IL
- Production design, Sourcebooks Inc., Naperville
- Interactive media studies in food marketing, Future Ceuticals, Momence, IL
- Graphic designer, Fastsigns, Naperville
- Intern, New Home Star
- Intern, Pesola Media Group
- Intern, Neary Martin
- Intern, Flavorchem, Downers Grove, IL