Combining the convenience of online learning with the prestige of NJIT’s renowned digital design curriculum, this program is designed to meet you where you are—professionally and creatively. Whether you're building foundational skills through our Digital Arts Essentials coursework or diving directly into specialized courses within your chosen concentration, you'll benefit from rigorous coursework, hands-on projects, and personalized guidance from expert faculty.
The MSDD is a 30-credit to 45-credit intermediate graduate program credential designed to combine the coursework of any three graduate certificate programs: Animation Essentials, Game Design and Interactivity Essentials, or UI/UX Design Essentials. Students with an undergraduate background in Digital Arts and Design can immediately begin taking coursework in any of these three specialized concentrations. For those who need it, the Digital Arts Essentials coursework provides a firm preparatory foundation.
Students are required to design their programs in consultation with the graduate advisor and lead faculty member in their area of specialization. For students without the requisite skills and knowledge to succeed in the specialized Digital Design concentrations, students will need to complete an additional 15 general prerequisite credits in Digital Arts.
Specialization Options
Students with a prior undergraduate background in design will choose courses from the following three areas of specialization to reach 30 credits:
Game Design and Interactivity Essentials
| Course No. | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DD 622 | Visual Storytelling and Storyboarding | 3 |
| DD 631 | History of Gameplay and Interactivity | 3 |
| DD 625 | Environment Design | 3 |
| DD 634 | Physical Computing for Designers – Interaction Design | 3 |
| DD 624 | Digital Audio | 3 |
Animation Essentials
| Course No. | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DD 622 | Visual Storytelling and Storyboarding | 3 |
| DD 623 | Acting for Animators | 3 |
| DD 621 | Character and Facial Modeling for Animators | 3 |
| DD 624 | Digital Audio | 3 |
UI/UX Digital Design Essentials
| Course No. | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DD 640 | User Interface/User Experience in Digital Design | 3 |
| IS 661 | User Experience Design | 3 |
| IS 664 | Customer Discovery | 3 |
| DD 634 | Physical Computing for Designers – Interaction Design | 3 |
Total required course credits: 30
Digital Arts Essentials (Bridge Courses)
Students who do not have a background in design from their undergraduate studies, will be required to take the following preparatory courses, which provide foundational knowledge needed for the specialization coursework:
| Course No. | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DD 601 | Graphic Design and Color Theory | 3 |
| DD 610 | History of Art and Design I | 3 |
| DD 603 | Video and Animation | 3 |
| DD 611 | History of Art and Design - Survey II | 3 |
| DD 602 | 3D Modeling and Composition | 3 |
Total Bridge Course Credits: 15 (if required)
