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M.A. in Social and Emerging Media

Advance Your Skills and Career in a Dynamic Digital Market

The University of Tampa’s new M.A. in Social and Emerging Media blends technology and creativity as it prepares students to develop compelling media projects, build sophisticated social media strategies and engage effectively with audiences.

Gain hands-on experience and increase your technical expertise as you learn to plan, produce and distribute professional media for multiple platforms, from websites, to social media, to the latest interactive technologies.

Areas of study include digital storytelling, visual design, audio-video production, emerging media technologies, user experience production, audience and user experience research, media strategy and analytics, project management and emerging media policy and law.

MASEM 4+1 Accelerated Program

Qualified UTampa students can save money and finish sooner by taking SEM 601 and SEM 602 during the spring semester of their senior year and counting the two courses towards both their undergraduate and graduate degrees (ADPR, CMS, and JOU majors can also count one as a major elective). To apply, students must be registered to complete at least 126 credits at the undergraduate level and meet or exceed the following minimum requirements:

  • 90 credits
  • 3.25 GPA (overall or last 60 credits)
  • approval of their advisor and the MASEM program director

For more information on the 4+1 accelerated program, please contact MASEM director, Christopher Boulton, at cboulton@ut.edu.

Take your career in a new direction

Virtually every industry, including health care, government, finance, academia, real estate and the nonprofit sector, has a growing need for communication professionals skilled in social and emerging media.

UTampa’s program is designed for a broad range of students, including:

  • Corporate or nonprofit employees positioning themselves for advanced roles in social media management, content production or digital marketing.
  • Recent college graduates who want to take their degree in communication, journalism, writing, marketing or film to the next level.
  • Designers, photographers, writers and filmmakers who want to translate their work onto new platforms and reach a wider audience.
  • Anyone seeking a new skill set and a competitive edge for a promotion or new job

Prepare for an online future — with a personal touch

UTampa’s unique in-person program provides a superior level of learning and support. Get hands-on media training and experience using industry-standard equipment and tools. Through real-world team projects, including the chance to work with local companies, students develop valuable career connections in Tampa’s vibrant downtown — an emerging tech center and the heart of the nation’s 12th-largest media market.

Technology

We offer state-of-the-art computer labs with industry-standard video and graphics software, portable video production kits, mobile photoshoot stands, VR headsets, Pivo Pods, 360 cameras, smartphone gimbals and wireless mics, an A/B testing lab with biometric eye-tracking software and gaming consoles, a professional podcasting kit, and a Blackmagic 4K TV studio for multi-cam productions in front of a cutting-edge 30x14 foot Vū LED volume, the same technology used to create Disney’s The Mandalorian.

Benefits

  • Learn in a team environment on UTampa’s convenient downtown campus.
  • Take classes in the evening and earn your degree in as little as one year.
  • Gain marketable skills that are immediately applicable in a variety of fields.
  • Receive professional hands-on training in UTampa’s state-of-the-art facilities.
  • Learn from expert faculty with diverse specializations and professional experience.
  • No GRE or portfolio required.

Courses

  • Digital Storytelling
  • Visual Design for Emerging Media
  • Social Media Production
  • Social Media Strategy and Analytics
  • Emerging Technologies and Applications
  • User Experience and Audience Research
  • Media Creation and Project Management
  • Emerging Industries, Policies, and Law
  • Special Topics in Social and Emerging Media
  • Motion Graphics and Data Visualization

Complete to receive more information about the M.A. in Social and Emerging Media.

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Testimonials

Sydney Rhodes

MASEM opened my eyes to so many different paths within the media industry, all while giving me real hands-on experience. It pushed me to step outside the box, try new things, and ultimately find a career path I was genuinely excited about. We heard from industry professionals, got great guidance from our professors, and even built a strong network with other MASEM students. All of that definitely helped shape where I am today.

Dominique Sarocka, MASEM '22

Sydney Rhodes

The MASEM program truly prepared me to succeed in the fast-paced, ever-evolving digital media landscape. It encouraged me to push creative boundaries while developing practical skills that I apply in my professional role every day. Building on that foundation, the program has also helped me gain the confidence to adapt to future industry changes. What made the experience even more meaningful was the support from professors who were not only knowledgeable but genuinely invested in their students’ success.

Alyssa Drum, MASEM '24