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Guide to Master's Degree

How to Get a Master's Degree in Graphics and Multimedia

Graphics and multimedia graduate degree programs offer students the opportunity to merge creativity and technology. Advantages of graphics and multimedia distance graduate education are twofold: as students earn a master's degree online, they develop computer and technology skills that can serve them beyond graduation, and online classes offer flexibility for students with full-time work schedules.

Before choosing a graduate graphics and multimedia program, carefully assess your interest in and aptitude for learning new computer hardware and software. You should also evaluate your artistic abilities. The reasons are clear: While graphics and multimedia can be a lucrative field--many professionals make more than $100,000 a year--the field is competitive and often requires major personal sacrifices.

In "Scrambling to Keep Up: New Media Careerists," a 2001 look at the field, CNN editor Porter Anderson concluded the following:

Written almost a decade ago, the report also mentions the scramble to keep up: multimedia workers spent approximately 13.5 unpaid hours per week teaching themselves new skills and programs.

The good news is the "new" graphics and multimedia industry is maturing. You can find excellent training grounds, where students can earn a high-quality new media or graphics and multimedia master's degree.

Types of Masters in Graphics and Multimedia

With so many traditional and online master's degree programs to choose from, youmay have a hard time narrowing down your options. This is partly because graduate training grounds for these artistic-meets-technical careers come with many names.

But, no matter which master's program you choose, your degree can help you introduce the next innovation in entertainment or information technology.

MS in Graphics and Mulitimedia

Due to the competitive nature of the field, master's programs that come with the greatest career mobility are probably titled:

Note: these degrees usually accompany concentrations in Computer Graphics, Video Game Technology, Video Game Design or Development.

This career mobility comes from the computer engineer's ability to build and deploy complex computer technologies, such as virtual words, computer/human interfaces, computer programs, and software.

MFA in Graphics and Multimedia

Keep in mind, whenever you see the Master of Fine Arts designation, the degree is the terminal, or highest, degree you can achieve in a particular artistic profession. So, the MFA in Graphics and Multimedia, a.k.a. the MFA in Visual Communications, usually emphasizes the artistry of graphic design using the latest computer and animation technology.

As you explore the curricula of online and campus-based Master's of Fine Arts in Graphics and Multimedia programs, consider these findings from AIGA's Defining the Designer of 2015 series. Future graphics and multimedia artists will need to understand or deliver:

The future of the graphic design field has moved far beyond magazine layout, ad design, and desktop publishing. Human-computer interaction, and human responses to those interactions, are essential for graphic designers.

MJ in Graphics and Multimedia

Gone are the days when a single reporter with hand-held tape recorder, notebook, and well sharpened pencil could grab a scoop and hammer out a story through the night for the morning paper. Now, that same reporter must distinguish which parts of a story are best told through video, audio, text, photos, and Flash animation. Then, that reporter must deliver the story in those formats.

The Master of Journalism in Graphics and Multimedia is also called an MJ in New Media. It differs from the MS and the MFA in Graphics and Multimedia degree programs, in that it focuses on telling news stories using a variety of equipment and technology. This includes digital cameras, computer networks, social media, and audio and video editing techniques. Director of the New Media program at Berkeley School of Journalism, Paul Grabowicz, describes the program as, "defining the new forms that journalism must take to reconnect with people in the digital age."

Skill Clusters for Careers in Graphics & Multimedia

Whether you earn a master's degree online, choose a campus-based graphics and multimedia graduate degree program, or opt for a hybrid version, consider what Indiana University calls "skill clusters." Those skill clusters fall into the following broad categories:

Understanding how these skill clusters fit together to identify personal strengths and weaknesses can help you choose your classes.

Career Tracks for Graduates with a Graphics and Multimedia Master's Degree

Whether you choose distance graduate education or a campus-based education, keep an eye toward potential employers in the following industries:

Resources: Exploring Careers in Graphics and Multimedia
Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences: Read the features with major players in the field for a quick glimpse of what's happening in video game and interactive design.

AIGA: Formerly the American Institute for Graphic Artists, AIGA has chapters in most U.S. cities. It publishes journals, awards scholarships, and provides an array of resources for professional graphics and multimedia designers.

Berkeley Center for New Media: Its New Media research summaries and Opinion 2.0 collaboration with the Department of State are just two good reasons to explore the Berkeley Center for New Media Web site, as you research a master's in graphics and multimedia.

How to Apply for a Master's in Graphics and Multimedia


Phase One: Find the Right Graduate Program

1. Explore Curricula, and Develop a List of Accredited Master's Programs
The U.S. Department of Education defines accreditation as "a voluntary, non-governmental process, in which an institution and its programs are evaluated against standards for measuring quality." Accreditation is a benchmark for higher education.

Whether you choose to pursue an MS in Computer Graphics and Multimedia, an MFA in Graphics and Multimedia or Visual Communications, or an MJ in New Media, accreditation can affect your ability to receive financial aid and impact the potential employers' perceptions.

Learn more about accreditation for campus-based and online master's degree programsat WorldWideLearn.com. You can also explore the resources listed below.

Resources: Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) was formed in 1944 and establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degree programs in graphics and multimedia. Visit NASAD's publications for an in-depth look at curricula for graphics and multimedia master's programs.

Visit the U.S. Department of Education's pages on accreditation to access more information when determining an accrediting agency's validity.

World Wide Learn also discusses the accreditation process for graduate degree programs. Independent accrediting agencies can be regional, national, international or career-specific.

2. Choose a Format: Earn a Master's Degree Online, Attend a Campus Degree Program, or Go Hybrid
Depending on where you choose to pursue an MS or MFA in Graphics and Multimedia, earn your master's degree online, enroll in concurrent online and campus courses, or stick with a traditional campus master's program. Thoroughly researching your options is your best bet.

3.Evaluate Program Quality: Find Out About Graduation Rates and Job Placement
Sometimes, you can determine this information on the program's website, but you probably need to ask the admissions and career services departments for formal data. Find out how many students who start master's programs finish and what employers are hiring them. Also, contact current and former students of the graduate graphics and multimedia programs you're considering. Ask about overall program quality, as well as which professors and classes were particularly helpful.

Phase Two: Apply to Master's Programs in Graphics and Multimedia

1. Complete Prerequisites
The first pre-requisite for any master's degree program is a bachelor's degree. WorldWideLearn's Guide to College Majors can help you explore online undergraduate degree programs that lay the foundation for a master's in graphics and multimedia. Here are some undergraduate degree programs for prospective graduate students:

All of the majors above can be found in the Arts & Humanities, Engineering, or Technology subsections of WorldWideLearn's Guide to College Majors. Because project-based work in graphics and multimedia often involves clients, undergraduate students might also consider a minor or dual major in business administration.

2. Gather Application Materials
Many progressive graduate schools and arts-based master's programs don't require GRE scores. However, your application to any master's in graphics and multimedia program must include some variation of the following materials:

1. Application for admission with processing fee
2. Graphics and multimedia portfolio, electronic or physical
3. Letters of recommendation from people familiar with your work
4. Statement of purpose, explaining why you want to pursue graduate study
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
Once you narrow your list of master's in graphics and multimedia programs to five, gather the above materials.

When you finish reading this guide, outline or brainstorm your statement of purpose. Then, re-read what you wrote. This exercise will either inspire you to begin your applications or help you evaluate whether you are ready for the commitment required of a master's degree program.

3. Apply for Financial Aid
If you already have a bachelor's degree, you may be familiar with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Fill it out online or on paper. You will need your most recent tax returns to complete this process.

After the federal government has received your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that explains your expected contribution. The Financial Aid Offices at the campus or online graduate schools you are considering also receive your SAR. They will work with you to develop a financial aid package to help pay for your graduate degree program.

To maximize your chances of success and funding, honor both admissions and financial aid deadlines.

Sources

 

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Pursue your Graphics & Multimedia degree today.

Virginia College

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Strayer University

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AIU Online

American InterContinental University Online's flexible curriculum allows you to study when and where it's most convenient. Earn your degree at an accelerated pace from an accredited school that is respected by employers.

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