What is Interactive and Virtual Digital Communication (IVDC)?

During this period of dynamic change in traditional print and broadcast media, it is absolutely essential that anyone interested in pursuing a career in media has a fundamental grasp of how the internet, social media and technology are changing the way we gather, report, write and distribute news and information. Even in public relations and advertising, professionals must be fully versed in the most effective ways to reach traditional and emerging audiences in innovative ways. This Interdisciplinary Studies degree combines expertise from UNT’s Mayborn School of Journalism and College of Information to provide you with written, visual and technical competencies required to successfully communicate in the modern online and information-oriented environments.

How could IVDC help me?

The Interactive and Virtual Digital Communication degree program will provide you with a solid foundation on current trends in how to communicate news and information in today’s world. It will also teach you a theoretical and practical framework to assess how interactive and digital media (e.g. websites, blogs, social media and mobile media) are impacting current business models for media and most companies today. It will help you understand how to best use technology and digital media to better reach existing readers, viewers, consumers and customers as you learn how to use technology and digital media most efficiently.

The IVDC master’s program could prepare you for career advancement as a communications specialist for a non-profit organization or a Fortune 1000 company; an interactive media manager at a newspaper, in broadcast or in online media outlets; a media analyst, helping a company decide which media to use to best communicate with staff, consumers and/or industry colleagues; an interactive marketing manager; a media strategist for a PR or advertising agency; a new media strategist; a social marketing program manager; a digital community manager; an online services manager; an interactive producer; or a digital content manager/producer/director.

How does it work?

The general requirements for the Interactive and Virtual Digital Communication concentration are the same as the other Interdisciplinary Studies programs: 30 credit hours required, no more than 18 hours in any one academic area, etc. (see Admissions and Planning). Courses for credit must be approved by the program director before you register each semester. Knowledge of at least one foreign language or an acceptable equivalent is required for the Master of Arts degree, but not for the Master of Science.

Concentration Requirements

The M.A. or M.S. candidate must complete a minimum of 30 hours from Journalism, Learning Technologies, and Library and Information Sciences, or 24 hours of coursework in those departments with six hours of Interdisciplinary Studies (INSD 5110 & INSD 5940).

The following are the courses recommended for both the Master of Arts and Master of Science interdisciplinary degrees with a focus on Interactive and Virtual Digital Communications in the Frank W. Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism and the Departments of Learning Technologies and Library and Information Sciences in the College of Information.