How to Get an MFA, PhD, EdD or DA in Multimedia & Web Design

Earning a doctoral degree in multimedia and Web design means combining technical tools and artistic ability at the highest level of education. These terminal degrees prepare you to teach, research, and operate confidently in this exciting and interactive field.

Multimedia and Web Design Degrees Start With Research

Before you start the application process for terminal and doctoral degrees, it's best to research your options. Researching different doctoral degree programs in multimedia and Web design is essential to your decision-making process. The benefits of such research are numerous:

• Save money on application fees by narrowing down your choices
• Earn the degree targeted to your specific educational and career goals
• Work with your ideal faculty and program requirements

Learning about different degrees and programs available in multimedia and Web design allows you to choose the program and field of study that best suits your goals. No two degrees are alike, and extensive research can save you time and money in the long run.

WorldWideLearn.com Offers Multimedia and Web Design Degree Information

Start your research at WorldWideLearn.com. You'll benefit from a wealth of doctoral degree resources, including school listings and easy-to-use contact forms. Whether you're interested in an MFA, PhD, EdD, or DA in Multimedia and Web Design, you can start your degree research with this free resource.

Creative MFA in Multimedia and Web Design

Enhance your portfolio and explore new design concepts with a Master's of Fine Arts (MFA) in Multimedia and Web Design. MFA programs typically require less of a time commitment than their doctoral counterparts, lasting two or three years in most cases. The MFA is a terminal degree, which means graduates can teach at the college level.

Typical MFA programs in multimedia and Web design require students to complete a thesis project. Your MFA thesis will:

• Serve as proof of your high level of knowledge of multimedia and Web design concepts
• Utilize advanced techniques and design ability to create a streamlined product
• Showcase your skills with technical tools and interactive components

Any master's or doctoral degree in multimedia and Web design requires advanced knowledge of tools like HTML, Javascript, CSS, Actionscript, PHP, Flash, and XML. Earning an online MFA in Multimedia and Web Design means learning and practicing the above concepts in an online environment, typically without classroom attendance requirements.

Earning a PhD in Multimedia and Web Design

Innovate within your field with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Multimedia and Web Design. The academic doctoral degree offers an intensive research opportunity, giving you a chance to focus on the specific concepts that interest you within the world of interactive Web design, multimedia, online content, human centered design, and more.

The basic framework for any doctoral degree includes three parts:

• Graduate-level coursework: Advanced instruction in specialized multimedia and Web design concepts
• Original research: Theoretical or application-oriented research that makes a new contribution to the field of multimedia and Web design
• Publishable doctoral dissertation: A book-length work of research at the highest level within your field

With a PhD in Multimedia and Web Design, your research should lead to an innovative dissertation that adds a new element to the field. PhD graduates go on to teach, consult, or research at a high level in public and private sectors.

Professional DA in Multimedia and Web Design

The Doctor of Arts (DA) is generally considered a professional degree, appropriate for those who wish to research or consult in the business world. However, the terminal degree is also appropriate as a preparation for teaching and academic pursuits. The DA and PhD are considered academically equivalent and require the same rigorous level of study and research.

The biggest difference between the DA and the PhD is the aims of the degrees. The PhD is considered appropriate for theoretical research, while the DA focuses more on advanced study. In other words, the PhD aims to innovate with new ideas, while the DA offers intense study of existing concepts.

Educational Leadership EdD in Multimedia and Web Design

The EdD in multimedia and Web design offers focused study in the theories and practices of enriching education through technology. Across disciplines, the Doctor of Education (EdD) focuses on the highest level of education-related training as it relates to the field. Earning an EdD in multimedia and Web design means connecting concepts of multimedia and Web design specifically to educational leadership.

A typical EdD program related to multimedia and Web design might include the following coursework:

• Instructional Design of Educational Technology
• Technology and School Change
• Object-Oriented Theory and Programming

Graduates go on to administrative or research positions within multimedia or Web design departments at the college level. With sophisticated technology playing a larger part in higher education, earning an EdD in Multimedia and Web Design is one way to prove your expertise in a highly useful industry. As with other doctoral degrees, a high level of research is generally required.

Alternative Doctoral Degrees in Multimedia and Web Design

No two terminal degrees in multimedia and Web design are alike. Many come with different names and a varying level of focus in media or design. Here are just a few alternative doctoral degrees in the field of multimedia and Web design:

• MFA in Web Design and New Media
• EdD in Instructional Technology and Media
• PhD in Multicultural Multimedia Studies
• PhD in Multimedia Engineering
• PhD in Human Centered Design and Engineering

These alternative degrees are hardly the limit of doctoral degree possibilities within the field of multimedia and Web design. Consider programs that focus on your ideal research and dissertation goals.

Choosing a Campus-Based or Online Doctoral Degree Program

Multimedia and Web design doctoral or master's degrees rely heavily on a facility with Web technology. Deciding between an on-campus or online MFA or doctoral degree in multimedia and Web design is a matter of evaluating your personal needs as a student.

• The online MFA or doctoral program in multimedia and Web design offers instruction within an interactive online medium, freedom and flexibility to attend classes online, and Web-based interaction with advisors and peers.
• The campus-based MFA or doctoral program in multimedia and Web design offers face-to-face interaction with advisers and peers, hands-on research opportunities, and access to design software and hardware.

Whether you choose an online or campus-based program, devote plenty of time beforehand to research different schools and departments. The specific resources offered by individual programs could ultimately make the difference in your degree decision.

Top Multimedia Fine Arts Programs Rankings

Find top-ranked programs in multimedia and Web design using online tools. U.S. News and World Report ranks top multimedia and visual communications programs within fine arts schools across the country. Use their rankings page for a listing of top schools ranked by their criteria.

Focusing Your Multimedia and Web Design Degree Options

Once you have your own list of likely candidates for a terminal degree program in multimedia and Web design, you can begin to narrow down your choices by considering different aspects of each program. Think about the following qualities in each degree program to easily narrow down your options to the schools that best fit your goals:

• Accreditation. Each of your potential schools should be approved by a third-party accrediting board. Without this important accreditation, your degree could be severely undervalued in both the academic and business worlds. Accreditation should be current at all schools, and the accreditation itself should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Degrees Offered. Multimedia and Web design programs may have similar aims, but the degrees they offer can be vastly different. Make sure the school you're interested in offers the specific PhD, EdD, DA, or MFA you're looking for. Additionally, look closer to ensure that the coursework required suits your own research goals. Departments in multimedia and Web design vary significantly enough that you should be able to tailor your degree to your career goals.
• Requirements. Application requirements vary by school, but typically require at minimum an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and entrance exam scores. Schools may additionally require letters of recommendation, experience in the multimedia and Web design industry, a statement of purpose, and application fees.
• Faculty. Departments should offer a comprehensive list of publications and conferences from their multimedia and Web design faculty. Check these lists to learn what recent faculty members are publishing and their general interests within the field. Because the multimedia and Web design degree relies heavily on current technology, it's smart to ensure that your faculty members practice innovation in the field.
• Competition. Top programs generally have a higher level of competition among applicants. Ask admissions counselors for data on the number of applicants versus department size from previous years. Other statistics such as average undergraduate GPA and a survey of majors should be available to potential students.
• Funding. Place funding as one of your top concerns for any multimedia and Web design program. Some schools offer teaching stipends or departmental scholarships, while others rely on federal grants and loans for potential students. Ask financial aid counselors for statistics on scholarships and stipends awarded versus average tuition and fees.
• Graduates. The alumni of multimedia and Web design programs can say a lot about the strength of the degree. Learn more about where graduates work after earning the terminal degree. Department chairs and advisors should have more information on job placement rates and tenure-track position placement.

Thoroughly researching each program can go a long way in determining your options in the search for the right multimedia and Web design doctoral degree program. Focusing on your program choices helps to ensure that you're choosing a terminal degree program that suits your ultimate career goals and educational needs.

Doctoral Degree Search Tools at WorldWideLearn.com

If you're returning to education after a few years away, you may be surprised at the new level of resources available to prospective students. The free resources at WorldWideLearn.com can simplify the process of going back to school. Here are just a few services offered through WorldWideLearn.com:

• See the Guide to College Majors page for details on different undergraduate and graduate degrees. Information is available at all levels and across many disciplines
• Check out the Financial Aid section for general information on federal financial aid, finding student loans, securing federal grants and private scholarships, and more
• Questions about online education? Use the Education Resources page to learn more about new methods of education and other important tools
• See the Career Assessment page for articles and useful quizzes related to your career and education goals

Get Involved in the Multimedia and Web Design Community

Part of earning your doctoral degree requires becoming an active member of the design and development community. Check out the conferences, professional organizations, publications, and resources available to multimedia and Web design doctoral students, members of academia, and professionals in the industry:

• Conferences and Workshops: Design Engineering Technical Conference, International Workshop on Mobile Multimedia Communications, IEEE Workshop on Multimedia Systems and Networking, MIT Communications Workshops
• Professional Organizations: American Institute of Graphic Arts, Design Management Institute, University and College Designers Association
• Publications and Resources: Communication Arts, Publish.com,

Presenting papers at conferences, joining professional organizations, and reading and publishing in journals are all ways you can network and strengthen your ties in the multimedia and Web design community.

With a terminal degree in multimedia and Web design, there are several paths that open up to you. You may choose to pursue teaching, research, consulting, or a high-level design career in the public or private sector. Research your options, decide on your focus, and you can find an online or campus-based program to suit each of your educational and career goals.

Sources

• American Institute of Graphic Arts
• The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Columbia University Teacher's College, Communication, Computing, and Technology in Education
• MIT Communications Workshops, Professional Organizations
• University and College Designers Association
• U.S. News & World Report, Fine Arts Specialty Rankings: Multimedia/Visual Communications