Program Overview
In today’s fast-changing digital world, there’s a growing demand for creative professionals who can design meaningful digital experiences by combining human-centered design, storytelling, digital media, and emerging technologies—including AI.
The Digital Media Design and Creative AI Master’s Degree Program at Harvard Extension School prepares you to thrive at the intersection of design, creativity, and technology, using AI to expand creative possibilities while maintaining human creativity, artistic direction, and design judgment.
In this graduate degree program, you’ll:
- Build expertise in human-centered design, visual communication, interactive experiences, digital media, immersive media, storytelling, and emerging creative technologies.
- Learn when and how AI adds value to the creative process while exploring its ethical, legal, and creative implications.
- Apply your skills through hands-on, project-based learning with peers and industry professionals.
- Earn a Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies in the field of Digital Media Design and Creative AI.
As you progress toward your master's degree, you can earn certificates along the way, beginning with the Creative AI Foundations Microcertificate, which you earn by completing the courses for admission.
Courses
You can customize your course curriculum on your path to earning your degree. Learning is hands-on. Online classes and the on-campus precapstone feature collaborative activities and group projects.
Example Courses
- User Experience Engineering
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
- Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Media Production: Photo, Video, and Audio Content Creation
- Introduction to Game Development
- Designing Effective Learning Experiences in the Age of Generative AI
Optional Certificates
As you work your way toward your master’s degree, you can take courses that also count toward one of two graduate certificates, both part of the Digital Media Design and Creative AI Certificate and Degree Pathway:
- Generative Media and Creative AI Graduate Certificate
- Creative AI and Digital Experience Design Graduate Certificate
Learn more about how these certificates fit into the master’s degree.
Admissions
The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program. You’ll earn your way in through our performance-based admissions, completing coursework for admission and demonstrating your readiness. You'll begin with:
- Human-Centered Design in the Age of AI
- Interactive Prototyping & Creative AI
Earn a Microcertificate
The Creative AI Foundations Microcertificate comprises these two courses.
Make Progress Toward Your Degree
These courses count toward your degree, so you’re earning credit toward graduation from your first course.
Next Start Term
You can enroll in your first admission course this fall.
Spring 2027 registration is open November 5, 2026 – January 19, 2027.
Featured Faculty
Our digital media design and creative AI instructors include industry professionals from organizations like Meta, holding titles ranging from video editor to director of artificial intelligence research. They bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Alexandra Seckar-Bandow
Video Editor, Verse Video Education
Gloria Tam
Professor, College of Business, Minerva University
Bakhtiar Mikhak
Co-Founder, Media Modifications, Ltd.
Career Opportunities & Alumni Outcomes
Students in our Digital Media Design and Creative AI Program build the skills essential to master human-centered design and the transformative role of artificial intelligence in creative practice.
Potential Job Titles
- Creative Technologist
- Interactive Developer
- UX Designer
- Digital Content Producer
- Product Manager
Sample Alumni Employers
- ADP
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- Deloitte
- Hewlett Packard
- Liberty Mutual
Program Benefits
Experience a rigorous curriculum. 96% of recent graduates would recommend the program.
Develop a capstone project with peers and real-world industry partners.
Access career advising and other services through Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success.
Explore entrepreneurial opportunities through the Harvard Innovation Labs.
Become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).
Harvard Extension School saved my life, not just academically, but in a manner much more profound and transcendental.
Digital Media Design and Creative AI Master’s Degree Program
Tuition & Financial Aid
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
FAQs
Who is the Digital Media Design and Creative AI Master's Degree Program designed for?
Our students in the Digital Media Design and Creative AI Master’s Degree Program are established professionals looking to deepen their expertise, advance their careers, or change careers. About half of the students enrolled in the program have professional experience in the field and work across various industries.
What background or prerequisites are required for the Digital Media Design and Creative AI Master’s Degree Program?
This is an advanced degree program, so it is helpful to have an undergraduate degree in business, management, graphic design, communication design, digital media, education, fine arts, information technology, or data analytics.
You should also have a minimum of two years of work experience and be comfortable using technology and web development tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You should also have strong visual communication skills and an eye for design.
How will the Digital Media Design and Creative AI Master’s Program help me advance in my career?
A graduate degree in digital media design and creative AI will provide you with an advanced understanding of the field and help you develop the skills and knowledge required to create multimedia applications and content.
Many employers prefer — or even require — candidates with advanced degrees for higher-level roles. If you aspire to become a leader in your organization, a master’s degree may be essential for advancing your career.
How long will it take me to complete the program?
Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.
For an accelerated journey, we offer year-round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.
While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.
