Overview – M.A. in Multimedia

Why Earn an Online Master’s in Multimedia?

When you earn a Master of Arts Degree in Multimedia from Point Park University you’ll be prepared with a breadth and depth of knowledge that will help you excel in modern careers in communication, marketing, PR, and more. This is a compelling degree option for those who are already in the marketing and communications industry and want to increase their knowledge in an ever-changing tech world. It’s also perfect for recent grads who want to focus on skills they can take directly into their current position. Graduates enjoy careers within marketing, non-profits, government, private business, education, journalism, podcasting, and more.

Multimedia Curriculum Overview

Point Park University’s master’s degree in multimedia is designed to help working students succeed through flexible course options and personalized support when needed. Our programs are career-ready and convenient, and they are taught by professionals in the field who extend their expertise and knowledge to the classroom.

Explore a curriculum that will prepare you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed with multimedia technology that is relevant and crucial today. You’ll learn how to use tools like Adobe Premier, InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Word Press, and more. Understand how to produce content for websites, video, social media, and more.

Contact an enrollment counselor to learn more.

  • Next Start Date: August 27, 2023

Program Length: 18 months to 2 years
Credit Hours: 36 Hours
Course Length: 8 Weeks
Cost Per Credit: $759
Transfer Credits Accepted: Up to 9

  • Est. Program Length: 18 months to 2 years

  • Credit Hours: 36 Hours

  • Course Length: 8 Weeks

  • Cost Per Credit: $740

  • Transfer Credits Accepted: Up to 9

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Course Offerings

Admission Requirements

Course Description
This course surveys contemporary theories in the field of communication including theories of mass communication, media and society, media content, new media, social construction of technology, and the impact of media on audiences. Theories and models originating both in the social sciences and the humanities are examined.

Course Description
Study of contemporary and classic cases related to state and federal law of freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Problems caused by efforts by government to control mass media and the freedom of government/public information also are addressed. Not open to the students with credit in JOUR/COMM 418. This course may be waived based on previous professional experience and/or academic work. Any waived course must be replaced by elective credits.

Course Description
Students examine mass communication professionals’ characteristics and work environments. Students also examine ethical issues presented in the modern media, including their historical contexts and practical ramifications. The course compares and contrasts ethical standards and systems with professional processes and practices, and legal principles. Not open to the student with credit in JOUR/COMM 412. This course may be waived based on previous professional experience and/or academic work. Any waived course must be replaced by elective credits.

Course Description
Students analyze and apply social scientific research methods used by academic researchers and/or in industry and professional research especially surveys, polls, content and textual analysis, controlled experiments, focus groups, in-depth interviews, case studies, ethnography, and cultural/critical studies. Students also learn the structure, purpose, and philosophy of mass communication theory, and tailor homework assignments and term papers to their own professional/industry interests.

Course Description
This course is for students who wish to attain a comprehensive vision of communication and broaden their perspectives across the traditional fields. It explores the intersection of communication, technology and culture with a focus on six major areas: information, networking, socialization, identity, entertainment, and globalization. Covers issues such as technological determinism, social shaping of communication technologies, identity formation, cultural transnationalization and globalization.

Course Description
Intermediate field video pre-production, production and post-production concepts and techniques are developed and applied. Students combine fundamentals of all three phases of the production process into a unified system of video planning, creation, construction, and feedback. Prerequisite: MULT 528 or permission.

Course Description
This course serves as an intermediate study of visual communication design. Students will learn to apply theory, concepts, and technical skills to visual and interactive design in order to create products used by advertising, public relations and journalism professionals. Projects will span print and digital design, and may include page layouts, newsletters, brochures, infographics, social media design, photo essays and more.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Discuss historical and contemporary elements of visual communication design.
2. Critique published visual design pieces.
3. Demonstrate proper use of line, color, composition, and type in design.
4. Explain relevant legal and ethical concerns in design.
5. Design industry-quality print and digital projects using industry standard tools.

Course Description
This course will provide technical background for those students in the Digital Media field. Students will incorporate Web design theory and technical skills to create a series of Web products, including graphics, animations, and Web pages. Students will learn the current practices of Web publishing, which may include HTML, Flash, PhP coding, and the use of Content Management Systems. Upon completion of this class, students will have a variety of Web design pieces to add to their portfolios.
CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING :

Course Description
Intermediate field video pre-production, production and post-production concepts and techniques are developed and applied. Students combine fundamentals of all three phases of the production process into a unified system of video planning, creation, construction, and feedback. Prerequisite: JOUR 528 or permission.

Course Description
The information and communication technologies revolution generates a flow of global communications that transcend national boundaries. This course focuses on the emergence and growth of communication channels and networks that operate on a global scale. Emphasis is placed on the opportunities for human communication brought by globalization, such as opening new communicative spaces, increasing social interconnectedness, adding platforms for participation, and challenges associated with the global – local divides. Enables students to improve their ability to communicate and use technology effectively and appropriately in an increasingly globalized world.

Course Description
Student must have completed 15 credit hours toward the degree and prerequisite courses or practical experience for eligibility. A minimum of an average of 15 hours a week (a total of at least 225 hours) must be 142 worked in a media-related position. Regular reports and periodic conferences with the instructor are required, as well as a final report. A total of six credits in internships may be earned toward the degree. Other specific criteria are published and applicable.

Course Description

Student must have completed 15 credit hours toward the degree and prerequisite courses or practical experience for eligibility. A minimum of an average of 15 hours a week (a total of at least 225 hours) must be worked in a media-related position. Regular reports and periodic conferences with the instructor are required, as well as a final report. A total of six credits in internships may be earned toward the degree. Other specific criteria are published and applicable.

Course Description
Courses are offered in specialized topics including branding, government lobbying, international advertising, media relations, history of public relations and advertising, high school journalism, alternative and minority media, community and citizen journalism, and others. Students may elect to take several JOUR 595 courses as long as the topics differ.

Course Description
Application of visual communication theories to the analysis, interpretation, and critical assessment of visual messages. Examines the implications of various means of creating, manipulating, and disseminating visual messages. Course topics include but are not limited to visual language, semiotics, visual rhetoric, visual ethics, and visualization strategies for professional communicators. Enables students to develop a range of visual communication competencies.

Course Description
Examination of technology mediated communication with special attention to the role of communication technology in diverse settings ranging from interpersonal to group communication, organizational communication and business communication. Emphasis is placed on strategies for communication problem solving in mediated contexts.

Course Description
Students will learn to use electronic photo and graphics editing tools such as a slide and negative scanner and industry standard software such as Photoshop. As the photojournalists move out of the darkroom and into the electronic newsroom, these skills will be increasingly vital to their careers. Not open to the student with credit in PHOT 350.

Course Description
This course will provide students the conceptual and technical understanding of the power and philosophy of social media. The course will specifically focus on how social media is changing media, business, journalism and government in fundamental ways. Upon completion of this course, students will have practical knowledge in the use of social media tools and building and maintaining an online community as well as a solid foundation in writing and reporting for social media. Dual listed with JOUR 306.

Course Description
This course will teach students how to prove return on investment (ROI) to clients by understanding and evaluating analytics. In addition, students will learn search engine optimization best practices to further increase a brand’s social media ROI. Students will have a deeper understanding of the principles and how to measure and prove the ROI of social media and a working knowledge of various industry-standard analytics tools. Stu-dents will write social media reports for clients based on ROI and analytics results.

Students should take either both Thesis courses or the Professional Track courses

Course Description
The student works with a faculty committee of three on a topic and research for a major paper that will require two terms for completion. A proposal and committee chair must be approved before registration. Development of a bibliographic essay, outline, and research method(s) are emphasized in the first semester. Writing a fully documented original thesis of not less than 90 pages using the American Psychological Association’s (APA) style is the goal for the second term. In order to participate in graduation ceremonies in the Spring, Thesis I must be completed by April. For the diploma to be dated that year, Thesis II must be completed before the last day of the following term. COMM 597 and COMM 598 may be Pass (“P”), Fail (“F”), or Incomplete (“I”) depending on progress in Thesis. Student with Incomplete (“I”) in COMM 598 must continue work by enrolling in COMM 599 for one regular academic term only. Prerequisite for COMM 597:COMM 593.

Course Description
Application of visual communication theories to the analysis, interpretation, and critical assessment of visual messages. Examines the implications of various means of creating, manipulating, and disseminating visual messages. Course topics include but are not limited to visual language, semiotics, visual rhetoric, visual ethics, and visualization strategies for professional communicators. Enables students to develop a range of visual communication competencies.

OR

Course Description
The student will read, summarize, and critique six selected books, at least four of which must be scholarly, in a significant area of mass communication not otherwise covered in the curriculum, then synthesize them into a major paper comparing and contrasting them in multiple ways. A faculty member must oversee the project, a proposal for which must be approved by that faculty member and the program director. Final paper’s text must be at least 20 pages. May constitute three of the six hours of the candidate’s required research obligation. Only students with Incompletes must continue work by enrolling in COMM 599 for only one regular academic term. 144 Prerequisite: 18 credits.

Course Description
The student earns credit for off-campus work on an investigative, interpretive series in a medium such as print, a media script, publications/advertising campaign, or other significant project. Proof of intended implementation is required. A faculty member must oversee the project, a proposal for which must be approved by that faculty member and the program director. May constitute three of the six hours of the candidate’s required research obligation. Only students with Incompletes must continue work by enrolling in COMM 599 for only one regular academic term. Prerequisite: 18 credits.

Career Outcomes

The M.A. in Multimedia is a versatile degree that can help you become an expert in a number of marketing and communications careers including advertising, promotions, marketing, and public relations.

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PR Manager
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Marketing Manager
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Advertising Manager

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