Skip to content

Digital Media Design Master’s Degree Program

  • Online Courses

    11 out of 12 total courses

  • On-Campus Experience

    1 weekend or one 3-week summer course

  • Tuition

    $3,220 per course

person working on laptop

Deepen your knowledge and skills to create dynamic digital content

Learn to design and develop multimedia applications and content through flexible online classes and an immersive on-campus experience.

Program Overview

Today’s continuously evolving digital landscape requires skilled professionals who are adept at producing engaging multimedia experiences.

Whether you aspire to work as a web designer, content developer, videographer, or game designer, you will deepen your industry knowledge and master new skills — and position yourself for a rewarding career in this high-impact degree program.

Program Benefits

  • Map with a flag.

    Customizable path, stackable certificates, & experiential learning

  • Teacher speaking to class.

    Expert instruction from Harvard faculty and industry professionals

  • Two people talking at a table.

    Personalized academic and career advising

  • Lightbulb in a hand.

    Entrepreneurial opportunities through Harvard Innovation Labs

  • Checklist in front of computer monitor.

    Digital design capstone project

  • Graduation cap and diploma.

    Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation

Customizable Course Curriculum

The digital media design master’s degree program allows you to experience both the convenience of online learning and the immersive benefits of learning in person through online discussions, group projects, and other collaborative activities.

As you work through the program, you’ll take core courses to deepen your knowledge of essential digital media design topics such as computer science, applied learning design, and media production.

You’ll then build on that foundation by selecting elective courses that enable you to focus on the areas that are most important to you — for example, video editing, artificial intelligence, or animation.

11 Online Courses

  • Primarily asynchronous
  • Fall, spring, January session, and summer options

On-Campus Experience

You’ll complete 1 course in person at Harvard, at either an accelerated or standard pace:

  • An online course with an intensive weekend on campus in fall or spring
  • 3 weeks in the summer

Capstone Project

You’ll create an original digital work, such as a website, film, mobile application, or wearable device.

Admissions

The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.

First, you’ll register for and complete 2 required courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies and count toward your degree, helping ensure success in the program.

Getting Started

We invite you to explore degree requirements, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.

Earning a Stackable Certificate

After admission to the digital media design graduate program, as you work your way toward your master’s degree, you can take courses that also count — or “stack” — toward a graduate certificate. It’s a cost-effective, time-saving opportunity to build specialized skills and earn another professional credential.

For each certificate, you can choose courses that best fit your goals.

Here are a few examples of stackable certificates and courses.

Back End Web Development

Learn how to build and maintain the technology that powers the administrator side of a website.

Sample stackable courses:

  • Building Interactive Web Applications for Data Analysis
  • Web Programming with Python and JavaScript
  • Wearable Devices and Computer Vision
  • Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, and Artificial Intelligence

Learn more about the Back End Web Development Graduate Certificate.

Front End Web Development

Gain the technical knowledge and skills necessary to power dynamic visuals and interactions on the web.

Sample stackable courses:

  • Introduction to Web Programming Using JavaScript
  • Digital Media: From Ideas to Designs and Prototypes
  • Building Interactive Web Applications for Data Analysis
  • Creating and Maintaining Scalable Design Systems

Learn more about the Front End Web Development Graduate Certificate.

Learning Design and Technology

Learn to create and implement effective learning experiences on digital platforms.

Sample stackable courses:

  • Applied Learning Design
  • Video Editing and Digital Design
  • Designing Educational Media
  • Introduction to Media Production

Learn more about the Learning Design and Technology Graduate Certificate.

A Faculty of Digital Experts

Studying at Harvard Extension School means learning from the world’s best. Our instructors are experts in computational design, virtual reality, instructional design, web design, and more. They bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Our Community at a Glance

Our students in the Digital Media Design Master’s Degree Program are established professionals looking to deepen their expertise (41%), advance their careers (28%), or change careers (21%). Approximately half of the students enrolled in the program have professional experience in the field and work across various industries.

Download: Digital Media Design Master's Degree Fact Sheet

  • 37

    Average Age

  • 1-2

    Courses Taken Each Semester

  • 84%

    Work Full Time

  • 97%

    Would Recommend the Program

  • 54%

    Professional Experience in the Field

  • Most

    Pursued to Deepen Expertise

Widener Library with Harvard flags and students gathering in front of steps

Career Opportunities & Alumni Outcomes

Every organization needs to tell a digital story, making graduates of our Digital Media Design Master’s Program valuable employees in a wide range of industries.

Our alumni work in the fields of IT, media production, and publishing. They also work in management consulting, higher education, healthcare, and government administration.

Our master’s degree program covers a broad range of digital media design topics, opening several different career path options for our graduates. Students have gone on to become web designers, art directors, multimedia producers, content developers, videographers, photographers, and mobile app developers.

Our alumni hold such titles as:

  • UX Developer
  • Vice President, Product Design
  • Senior Digital Product Manager
  • Associate Creative Director
  • Front End Developer
  • Marketing Manager
  • Principal Software Architect

Our alumni work at a variety of leading organizations, including:

  • ADP
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • Deliotte
  • Google
  • Hewlett Packard
  • Liberty Mutual
  • National Park Service

Career Advising and Mentorship

Whatever your career goals, we’re here to support you. Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success offers career advising, employment opportunities, Harvard alumni mentor connections, and career fairs such as the Harvard Startup Career Fair, the Data Analytics, Science, and Technology Fair, and the Harvard Humanities, Media, Marketing and Creative Careers Expo.

Your Harvard University Degree

Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will earn the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Digital Media Design.

Expand Your Connections: the Harvard Alumni Network

As a graduate, you’ll become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).

Vincent Liu.
Harvard Extension School saved my life, not just academically, but in a manner much more profound and transcendental.
Vincent Liu
Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in the field of Digital Media Design, '23

Tuition & Financial Aid

Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.

Our Tuition (2023–24 rate) $3,220 per course
Average Tuition of Peer Institutions $4,330 per course
Average Total Cost $38,640

After admission, you may qualify for financial aid. Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.

FAQs

How do I know if the digital media design master’s program is right for me?

This is an advanced degree program, so it is helpful to have an undergraduate degree in business, management, graphic design, communication design, digital media, education, fine arts, information technology, or data analytics.

You should also have a minimum of two years of work experience and be comfortable using technology and web development tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You should also have strong visual communication skills and an eye for design.

How will the digital media design master’s program help me advance in my career?

A graduate degree in digital media design will provide you with an advanced understanding of the field and help you develop the skills and knowledge required to create multimedia applications and content.

Many employers prefer — or even require — candidates with advanced degrees for higher-level roles. If you aspire to become a leader in your organization, a master’s degree in digital media design may be essential for advancing your career.

How long will it take me to complete the program?

Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.

For an accelerated journey, we offer year round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.

While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.