The Master of Science in Medial Innovation and Data Communication will offer a distinctive approach to knowledge and innovation in media fields, an approach rooted in the rigor of professional journalism—with its emphasis on empowered knowledge acquisition, empirical verification, and storytelling in the public interest—but one keenly attuned to emerging, data-driven technologies and their potential. The program capitalizes on the revolution in data storytelling and computational methods in media work; the rapid evolution in video, animation, and augmented/virtual reality technologies; and social networks and digital analytics. Our graduates will be prepared to become leaders in media firms and outlets engaged with cutting-edge technologies and innovative digital startups, as well as a broad range of media and communications organizations across the rapidly evolving digital economy.
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.
Core Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ARTG 5330 | Visualization Technologies 1: Fundamentals | 4 |
| JRNL 6306 | Media Innovation Studio 1 | 4 |
| JRNL 6307 | Media Innovation Studio 2 | 4 |
| JRNL 6340 | Fundamentals of Digital Journalism | 4 |
| JRNL 6341 | Telling Your Story with Data | 4 |
Concentration or Electives Option
A concentration is not required. Students may complete one of the following concentrations or the electives option.
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
36 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required
Data Storytelling Concentration
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
| Information Design History | |
| Visual Communication for Information Design | |
| Statistics for Design | |
| Design for Dignity | |
| Human-Centered Design | |
| Information Design Mapping Strategies | |
| Design for Storytelling | |
| Coding for Digital Storytelling | |
| Open-Source Investigations | |
Digital Journalism Concentration
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| JRNL 6200 | Enterprise Reporting 1 | 4 |
| JRNL 6202 | Perspectives on News Media Ethics and Diversity | 4 |
| 8 |
| News Documentary Production | |
| Video News Reporting and Producing | |
| Coding for Digital Storytelling | |
| Open-Source Investigations | |
| Enterprise Reporting 2 | |
Media Advocacy Concentration
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| JRNL 5400 | Media and Advocacy in Theory and Practice | 4 |
| 12-15 |
| Strategizing Public Policy | |
| Introduction to Legal Studies 1: Law and Legal Reasoning | |
| Law and Strategy | |
| Negotiation and Advocacy | |
| Legal Foundations of Public Policy | |
| Current Issues in Law and Public Policy | |
| Nonprofit Organizations and Social Change | |
| The Nonprofit Sector in Civil Society and Public Affairs | |
Media Ethics Concentration
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| COMM 5250 | Communication and Technology Research Methods | 4 |
| MSCR 5300 | Media and Technology Ethics | 4 |
| 8 |
| Critical Data Studies | |
| Digital Technologies and Global Society | |
| Democracy, Technology, and Equality | |
| Race and Technology | |
News Media Strategy and Leadership Concentration
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| JRNL 5410 | Innovation in the News Media Business | 4 |
| JRNL 6202 | Perspectives on News Media Ethics and Diversity | 4 |
| 8 |
| Communication and Technology Research Methods | |
| Research for Media Strategy | |
| AI in Media Industries | |
Public Relations and Strategic Communications Concentration
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| JRNL 5400 | Media and Advocacy in Theory and Practice | 4 |
| JRNL 5480 | Research for Media Strategy | 4 |
| 8 |
| Communication and Technology Research Methods | |
| Technology and Strategic Communication | |
| Political Communication | |
| Public Relations Strategies for Managing Scandal in Business and Politics | |
Electives Option
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
