The Master of Arts degree in Digital Media Design for Learning is a 36-credit program, as follows:

• DMDL Foundation Courses: 15 credits
• DMDL Specialization Courses: 9 credits
• Cognate Courses (Electives): 6 credits
• Master of Arts Thesis Courses: 6 credits

DMDL foundations courses are required and include:

• Educational Design of Media Environments
• Cognitive Science and Educational Technology I
• Cognitive Science and Educational Technology II
• Interaction Design for Learning Environments
• Architecture of Learning Environments

Students select both DMDL specialization courses and cognate courses on an individual basis with faculty advisement. Specialization courses are listed as such on the DMDL Courses page. Cognate courses are professional electives; to fulfill this requirement, students may select electives offered by graduate programs other than DMDL, based on individual interests and goals, or take additional DMDL specialization courses.

Students take the thesis course twice, in two consecutive semesters (Research in Educational Communication and Technology). Students are advised to complete all other course requirements prior to enrolling in the thesis course for the second time, in order to devote their final, graduating semester exclusively to the thesis.

Background in education, teaching, learning, and such related areas as psychology is useful to successful completion of the Program. Students who in their adviser's view lack background academic or work experience necessary to effective performance in the Program or achievement of individual goals may be required to complete course work in such areas, either to fulfill the cognate requirement or by taking courses beyond the 36 credit requirement for the degree.

International students may be required to take English language courses in addition to the 36 credits required for the Master of Arts degree. This determination is made on the basis of scores on an English language proficiency examination all international students take upon arriving at NYU.

Master of Arts students develop their thesis projects in the course EDCT-GE 2095, Research in Educational Communication and Technology. Students take the thesis course twice, in two consecutive semesters. They are advised to complete all other course requirements prior to enrolling in the thesis course for the second time, in order to devote their final, graduating semester exclusively to the thesis.

Thesis projects take various forms, including design and development of technology-based learning environments; scholarly critical inquiry papers; small-scale research projects; action media projects, and field service media projects.

The thesis is a culminating project for which graduating students are expected to integrate and apply what they have learned through previous academic work and field experiences, with faculty supervision. Thesis projects may be "new," relative to work done in previous courses; or they may be projects started in a previous course that become significantly expanded and enhanced for the thesis.

Thesis students meet in class as a group weekly, reporting on the progress of their projects, discussing their research, and screening prototype media for peer and faculty critique. At the conclusion of the semester, students present their thesis projects to the DMDL community at the Master of Arts Thesis Colloquium.

Recent Master's Thesis Projects

History of Master's Thesis Projects

Of the 36 credits required for the Master of Arts degree, students are required to take 24 credits in residency, defined as courses taken at NYU. A maximum of 30% of the 36-credits required for the degree may be considered for transfer from other universities; such courses must be evaluated by faculty advisors to establish whether they meet criteria established by the Steinhardt School.

Master of Arts students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in DMDL courses and in their overall academic record.

The Steinhardt School requires students to complete requirements for the Master of Arts degree within six (6) years of matriculation, defined as the first semester of enrollment for courses leading to the degree. The clock stops only during official leaves of absence. This applies to both full-time and to part-tim students.

Students who do not complete requirements for the degree within the six year period have an "expired matriculation." They may apply for an extension of matriculation, for which they will be evaluated by their faculty advisor. If approved, an extension period is established by their faculty advisor. Students whose matriculation lapses beyond 10 years must apply for "re-matriculation." If accepted, courses previously completed are re-evaluated for currency, and a new Statement of Requirements is issued.

Students must maintain "active status" throughout their studies, beginning with the first semester of matriculation and including the semester in which they intend to graduate. To do so, Master of Arts students must complete at least three (3) credits at the 2000-level (or higher) each fall and spring semester (not summer). If students can not enroll in course work in a given fall or spring semester, they must register for Maintaining Matriculation (E47.4747), for which they pay a non-credit bearing maintenance of matriculation fee.

Registration for Maintaining Matriculation entitles students to use the libraries and other facilities, consult members of the faculty, participate in University activities, and use student health services and the Coles Sports Center. This option may be used during the semester in which students intend to graduate, if they are completing incomplete course work but taking no additional course work. Students may register for E47.4747 only after they have been enrolled during one academic year for a minimum of three (3) credits and with permission of a faculty advisor. Students may register for E47.4747 for up to a total of two (2) years within the six-year period allowed to complete the degree.