MA in Emerging Media Studies at Boston University

Programme overview

A programme on social and emerging media from technology-studies and social-science perspectives, covering Big Data, social media analytics and human behavior related to communication technology.

Faculty: College of Communication | Department: Division of Emerging Media Studies | Duration: Normally three terms (40 units); thesis or internship option may add one to two terms | Study mode: full-time | Location: Boston, MA, United States

What you will study

28 required units including Introduction to Emerging Media Studies, Social Data Analysis and Visualization, Developing Interactivity, Networks, History, and Social Media, and a three-term Master's Collaboratory; plus three electives (12 units). Thesis or internship may count as an elective.

Career pathways

Alumni work in the tech industry and data sciences, creative media, digital marketing and public relations; some pursue a PhD.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

MA applicants: GRE not required; two letters of recommendation; personal statement of no more than 750 words; academic writing sample (recommended maximum 30 pages); resume or CV. International applicants whose degree is not from an English-language institution: TOEFL iBT 100 (before Jan 2026) or 5.0 (Jan 2026 onward), IELTS 7.0, Duolingo 130, TOEFL Essentials 10.5. Priority deadline February 1; final deadline May 1.

Requirements published at program group level.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences master's programmes admit for Fall 2027; Spring 2027 entry is offered for selected programmes (Economics MS programmes, History of Art & Architecture MA, Preservation Studies MA, Online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence).

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Fall 2027 master's deadlines are mostly priority January 15 and final March 15 (African American & Black Diaspora Studies priority February 15, final March 15; Preservation Studies February 15; Sociology and History of Art & Architecture January 15). Spring 2027 deadlines for selected programmes are priority October 15 and final November 15. Applications are submitted through the online application; the GRE is required only for the Economics MS/MA programmes and the MS in Psychological & Brain Sciences.

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