Overview
The Integrated Design and Media (IDM) master's program fosters a unique blend of critical inquiry and creative practice, using modern tools and techniques to explore the social, cultural, and ethical potentials of emerging media technologies. In the IDM master's program, you will gain a strong foundation in areas where technology meets the creative disciplines, including physical computing, user experience, game development, interaction design, motion capture and performance art, ecological and bio-design, and creative machine learning.
The following items are required for admission:
- Online application + $90 application fee
- Transcripts from all previously attended institutions
- Letters of recommendation (minimum of 2)
- Personal statement
- Resumé/CV
- Portfolio of creative work (as PDF or website)
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international applicants only) (school code: 2668)
Find out more about Admission Requirements.
Tuition varies based on your program, term admitted, and credit hours.
We are committed to keeping graduate studies affordable for all of our students. You’ll have access to on-campus employment programs that include teaching and research assistantships, as well as financial aid, scholarships, grants, and loans.
Explore our Tuition, Financial Aid, and Scholarships page to learn more about these opportunities.
Prospective Students
For questions about the application process, application status, or to talk to an admissions counselor:
Office of Graduate Enrollment and Admissions
NYU Tandon School of Engineering
458 Pike Road
Huntingdon Valley, PA
engineering.gradinfo@nyu.edu
646-997-3182
Accepted and Enrolled Students
For questions about the curriculum or courses:
Department of Technology, Culture, and Society
NYU Tandon School of Engineering
370 Jay Street, 8th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
646-997-3182
At a Glance
Top 5
New York is among the top 5 states for supporting the gaming industry
(The ESA)
#7
Top AR/VR Colleges in the U.S.
(Animation Career Review)
Future-Ready Skills
Creative thinking and technological literacy are among the fastest-growing skills through 2030 (World Economic Forum)
Market Outlook
NYC Advantage
NYU Tandon IDM students have a unique advantage: New York City is the intersection of technology and culture, offering a variety of pathways into career and internship opportunities from day one. IDM students have access to Tandon @ the Yard, a 14,000-square-foot production and research facility housing cutting-edge tools and spaces for motion capture, volumetric capture, and immersive production, including a state-of-the-art LED wall.
IDM students also have direct connections to a broad network of industry experts and research opportunities through the Center for Urban Science and Progress, the Laboratory for Living Interfaces, and other NYU/NYC institutions, including NYU Tisch and Steinhardt.
Curriculum
The IDM curriculum combines project-based learning with the study of historical, legal and philosophical aspects of emerging media. We emphasize the development of skills applicable to a broad spectrum of media through individual and collaborative work. Guest lectures and conferences supplement our curriculum and maximize students’ personal contact with leaders in various sectors of the following fields: business, advocacy, service, entertainment, and education. The program culminates in a thesis that combines theory and practice to showcase students’ creative and technical abilities.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| IDM Grad Core | 9 |
| Seminar Courses | 6 |
| Elective Courses | 18 |
| Culminating Project | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 |
Graduate students in IDM participate fully in research initiatives through our partnerships with other programs and schools at NYU Tandon, the Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP), NYU, and other NYC institutions.
- The ABILITY Project supports research in client-centered, assistive technology and adaptive design for people with disabilities.
- The Laboratory for Living Interfaces aims to understand how the design decisions of architects, city planners, and material scientists affect the ubiquitous living component of the spaces we inhabit: the environmental microbiome.
Some of our top research areas include:
- Assistive Technology
- Augmented Reality
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Motion Capture
- Real-Time Performance
- Social Activism
- User Experience
Core Courses:
Meet our Faculty, Students and Alumni
IDM Research
Experiential Learning Center
NYU Tandon @ The Yard
Be a part of NYUs newest motion, volumetric capture studio and help transform NYC into the emerging media capital of the world.
Integrated Design and Media, B.S.
Accelerated B.S./M.S. Program
Emerging Technologies, M.S.
To earn a Master of Science in Integrated Design & Media, students must complete 36 credits to qualify for graduation.
Students enrolled full time will complete the program in 4 semesters.
Fall Semester
-
December 1: Final Ph.D. and M.S. priority consideration (recommended deadline if first choice of program)
- February 15: Final M.S. general consideration
- Official transcripts and proof of degree from all previous institutions
- Two recommendation letters
- Résumé or curriculum vitae
- Personal essays
- Portfolio
- Video with personal statement
- English Language Proficiency testing (if required)
Applicants must submit both a creative portfolio and a personal one-minute video as part of their application:
- Portfolio Submission: Submit a PDF showcasing your creative work. If your work is hosted online, include a PDF containing the URL to your portfolio website.
- 1-Minute Video: Submit an unlisted or password-protected video (posted on YouTube or Vimeo) featuring yourself describing a specific project from your portfolio. Rather than making general statements or discussing the IDM program itself, focus directly on your work — explain your role, why you chose the project, and what you learned.
If you require accommodations for either requirement, please reach out to idmadvise@nyu.edu.
IDM graduates are recruited by leading companies across tech, media, finance, and entertainment. Potential career outcomes and top employer destinations include:
- Career Opportunities: User Experience (UX) Designer, Creative Director, Game Developer, Web Designer/Developer, Mobile Application Developer, Multimedia Artist, Sound Designer, Video Editor, and Graphic Designer.
- Top Employers: Apple, Google, Facebook (Meta), American Express, Bank of America, ABC Network, LG Electronics, New York Stock Exchange, Major League Gaming, EMI Music, Simon & Schuster, and Wunderman/Y&R Advertising.
Graduate students in IDM participate fully in research initiatives through our partnerships with other programs and schools at NYU Tandon, the Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP), NYU, and other NYC institutions.
- The ABILITY Project supports research in client-centered, assistive technology, and adaptive design for people with disabilities.
- The Laboratory for Living Interfaces aims to understand how the design decisions of architects, city planners, and material scientists affect the ubiquitous living component of the spaces we inhabit: the environmental microbiome.
Some of our top research areas include:
- Assistive Technology
- Augmented Reality
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Motion Capture
- Real-Time Performance
- Social Activism
- User Experience
The IDM curriculum combines hands-on, project-based learning with the study of historical, legal, and philosophical aspects of emerging media. Students build versatile skills through individual and collaborative projects, supplemented by guest lectures and industry conferences across business, advocacy, entertainment, and education. The program culminates in a master's thesis that showcases both creative and technical mastery.
To us, "integrated" means the seamless combination of emerging media technology, creative practice, and critical thinking.