The Master of Digital Experience Innovation (MDEI) program is open to students from a wide range of undergraduate disciplines from humanities, social sciences, science, mathematics, environment. The program, which will be offered at the new University of Waterloo Stratford Campus, provides a superior professional education for students seeking careers in the digital media industry. Specifically, the program aims to equip future leaders, strategic thinkers, and team managers with the skills they need to innovate and thrive in this fast-evolving field. While the program will provide students with an appreciation for and experience with the basic technical skills of digital production and implementation, this is not its primary focus. Rather, the Master of Digital Experience Innovation program will focus on developing broader capabilities in the areas of team and project, management and leadership in the digital media context. Working in teams throughout the program, and developing core projects in close consultation with both faculty and industry partners, students in the MDEI program will graduate with an adaptable, transferrable, and highly marketable set of skills. Training in both the theory and practice of team building, business modeling, marketing strategy, critical/cultural analysis, and design thinking will position these MDEI graduates to be able navigators in the complex and fast-moving digital media industry.
This degree combines coursework and a major project. Students may pursue their studies on a full-time or part-time basis.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for the MDEI program include: Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in a field from humanities, social sciences, science, mathematics, environment, health or engineering, with an average of at least 78% (B+) in the final two years of the degree.
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate command of the English language with a minimum TOEFL score of 600 or the equivalent on a comparable test, such as CanTEST 4.5, CAEL 70, IELTS 7.0, MELAB 85.
Applications must include demonstration of sufficient academic and/or practical experience and personal suitability as evidenced by three letters of reference (at least two must be academic referees), a statement of interest and a resume. Experienced professionals in the private or public sectors may be considered for admission, but probationary status may be required for the first term of the program.
The MDEI program may also consider applications from mature student who do not meet the regular academic admission requirements of a four-year Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent. To be considered, and applicant who does not meet the regular academic requirements must have a least eight years of professional experience in a field related to the program, such as digital media, journalism, digital entertainment, digital gaming, software development, design, etc., and a minimum GMAT score of 550, or an equivalent score on the GRE (referencing ETS's GRE Comparison Table for Business Schools).
The deadline for applications to the MDEI program will normally be in February of each year. Check the program website for the specific deadline each year.
Degree Requirements
Courses
MDEI students must successfully complete 8 required courses. The courses are taught by faculty from a range of disciplines including Psychology, Digital Arts Communication, French, Anthropology, English, Business. In addition, senior-level industry partners of the University of Waterloo Stratford Campus will be invited to give special seminars and teach certain course components.
Major Project
A major project course must be completed in the final term of study. Supervised by a UW faculty member and supported by an industry coach, the project will normally be undertaken by teams of 4-6 students and will address an approved topic derived from the previous course work or based on a relevant issue in the digital economy.
MDEI Course Requirements
DEI 612 Working in Teams
DEI 613 Digital Media Solutions: Design
DEI 614 Principles of Marketing in a Globalized World
DEI 615 New Perspectives: Media History and Analysis
DEI 622 Working in Teams
DEI 623 Digital Media Solutions: Project Management
DEI 624 Understanding the Consumer Universe
DEI 625 Media Innovation and Impact
DEI 631 Projects