Master of Digital Experience Innovation (MDEI)

The program information below was valid for the winter 2021 term (January 1, 2021 - April 30, 2021). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus (Stratford campus)
• Program type 
  • Master's
  • Professional
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Coursework

• Minimum requirements 
  • 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% in the final two years of the degree.
  • Applications must include demonstration of sufficient academic and/or practical experience and personal suitability. 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 program may also consider applications from mature students who do not meet the regular academic admission requirements of a four-year Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent. To be considered, an applicant who does not meet the regular academic requirements must have at 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).
• Application materials 
  • Résumé
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    at least 2 academic

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Coursework option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must successfully complete the following 8 required courses:
  • DEI 612 Working in Teams
  • DEI 613 Digital Media Solutions 1: Design Principles and Practice
  • DEI 614 Principles of Marketing in a Globalized World: Leveraging Digital Technology
  • DEI 615 New Perspectives: Media History and Analysis
  • DEI 623 Digital Media Solutions 2: Project Management
  • DEI 624 Understanding the Consumer Universe: Market Research in Digital Media
  • DEI 625 Media Innovation and Impact
  • DEI 626 User Experience (UX) Fundamentals and User Research (UER)
• The courses are taught by faculty from a range of disciplines including Speech Communication, Economics, Fine Arts, and Sociology. In addition, senior-level industry partners of the University of Waterloo Stratford Campus may be invited to give special seminars and teach certain course components.
• Students must also complete DEI 631 Projects. A major project course which must be completed in the final term of study. Supervised by a University of Waterloo faculty member and supported by an industry partner, 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.

Link(s) to courses

• Digital Experience Innovation (DEI) courses

Academic Integrity Workshop

Master’s Workshop

• The Master’s Workshop for MDEI is otherwise known as Bootcamp. Bootcamp is the first milestone requirement for the MDEI which is held the two weeks leading up to the first day of class. It gives students the chance to engage with their classmates and learn valuable skills that will be applied throughout the program.