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CALL: MS and Ph.D. applicants for social VR and smart fidget/tangible projects

Computational Media M.S. and Ph.D.

Computational Media is all around us — video games, social media, interactive narrative, smartphone apps, computer-generated films, personalized health coaching, training and more. To create these kinds of media, to deeply understand them, to push them forward in novel directions, requires a new kind of interdisciplinary thinking. The new graduate degrees in Computational Media at UC Santa Cruz provide knowledge and practical training for students interested in this varied and emerging field.

The M.S. is designed to help you build on your existing strengths and move into new areas. Maybe you’re a computer scientist or educator who wants to develop a deeper understanding of game design or human-computer interaction. Maybe you’re a storyteller or digital humanist who could explore new territories, but would need deeper technical skills. Maybe you have a background in health care or community organizing and want to find ways to engage the possibilities of computational media to assist and empower people. Maybe you’re already doing interdisciplinary work, but want to develop a deeper understanding of the field and a stronger portfolio.

The Ph.D., on the other hand, is designed for those who are already actively working in computational media and want to develop new knowledge that will change what is possible and how we understand it. You might be doing pathbreaking work in generative game design, software or platform studies, interactive narrative or characters, assistive technology, games and emotion, social and embodied interaction, highly personalized media, or a wide range of other areas. You might be interested in a wide range of applications for computational media, from social support or personalized learning to emotional engagement or critical commentary. The Ph.D. will provide you with an interdisciplinary foundation and supportive research community for moving your work forward.

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Graduate Admissions
Requirements