Beginning with students admitted in the fall of 2026, all students pursuing on-ground master's degree programs must complete a university-level experiential learning requirement. This requirement may be fulfilled through the curriculum, co-op, or other work- or industry-integrated learning experiences.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Milestone
Thesis completion
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Studio | ||
| During the first year, students complete a studio course based on their intended area of specialization. | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
| Information Design Studio 1: Principles | ||
| Experience Design Studio 1: Principles | ||
| Intermediate Studio | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
| Information Design Studio 2: Dynamic Mapping and Models | ||
| Experience Design Studio 2: Group and Interpersonal | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studio | ||
| INAM 6000 | Interdisciplinary Critique Studio | 4 |
| Thesis Sequence | ||
| Complete each course twice: | 16 | |
| Design Project and Exhibition | ||
| Thesis 1 | ||
| Registration in the following is required if the thesis is not completed by the conclusion of the second term of registration for ARTG 7990: | ||
| Thesis Continuation - Half-Time 2 | ||
- 1
ARTG 7990 is repeatable for credit. However, the third completion of that course will not apply to requirements of this program and will increase the total cost of the program and the duration of the program.
- 2
There is a 1-semester-hour tuition charge for Thesis Continuation - Half-Time (ARTG 7996), and registration is limited to one term.
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Theory | ||
| Complete 8 semester hours from the following: | 8 | |
| Information Design History | ||
| Research Methods for Design | ||
| Visual Cognition | ||
| Notational Systems for Experience | ||
| Information Design Theory and Critical Thinking | ||
| Mixed Research Methods for Games | ||
| Group B: Design | ||
| Complete 4 semester hours from the following: | 4 | |
| Topics in Design | ||
| Visual Communication for Information Design | ||
| Design Systems | ||
| Design for Dignity | ||
| Design for Behavior and Experience | ||
| Information Design Mapping Strategies | ||
| Graphic Design Synthesis | ||
| Applied Game Design | ||
| Psychology of Play | ||
| Telling Your Story with Data | ||
| Group C: Technical | ||
| Complete 4 semester hours from the following: | 4 | |
| Statistics for Design | ||
| Visualization Technologies 1: Fundamentals | ||
| Visualization Technologies 2: Advanced Practices | ||
| Prototyping for Experience Design | ||
| Collecting, Storing, and Retrieving Data | ||
| Developing Extended Realities (XR) | ||
| Designing Extended Realities (XR) | ||
| Game Design and Analysis | ||
| Biometrics of Design | ||
| Data-Driven Game Design | ||
| 3D Modeling and Asset Creation Principles | ||
| Information Design and Visual Analytics | ||
| Program Electives | ||
| Complete an additional 12 semester hours from any of the electives listed above. At least one course must be from Group B or Group C. | 12 | |
| Interdisciplinary Elective | ||
| In consultation with the faculty advisor, complete any Northeastern University graduate coursework for a total of 4 semester hours | 4 | |
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
60 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required