Graduate Programs in Emerging Media Studies at Boston University
Emerging media studies explores how technologies like AI, social media, VR, AR, streaming platforms, and big data shape human behavior, culture, institutions, and society.
Boston University pioneered this academic discipline, launching the nation’s first PhD in the field. Together with our STEM-designated MA, BU prepares researchers, data analysts, policy advisors, and tech strategists to understand–and shape–the social impact of emerging technologies.
The biggest questions about technology don’t have established answers yet. That’s exactly what you’ll study here. How does algorithmic curation influence public opinion? Can virtual reality increase empathy? How should social platforms govern themselves, and who holds them accountable?
At BU, you won’t just theorize about these shifts. You’ll find the answers inside advanced eye-tracking labs, immersive VR environments, and live social data research environments — and publish your findings before you graduate.
Degree offerings in Emerging Media Studies
- MA in Emerging Media Studies: A three-semester, STEM-designated program focused on behavioral research, computational analytics, and applied client projects. Ideal for students who want to understand how people interact with emerging technologies and apply those insights in research, technology, consulting, or industry.
- PhD in Emerging Media Studies: The nation’s first doctoral program in emerging media studies. Conduct original research alongside internationally recognized faculty while preparing for careers in academia, industry, research organizations, and public policy.
Applied research + real-world impact
The Annual #ScreentimeBU Conference
Our students don’t hide their work in academic silos. Recent student projects have investigated everything from TikTok political memes and VR psychological empathy responses to global climate activism and AI-driven media governance. All original data is showcased at #ScreentimeBU, our annual student-run conference that brings together cutting-edge tech researchers from across the region.
The EM777 Industry Lab
Through our year-long graduate industry lab (EM777), students are paired directly with professional sponsor organizations—ranging from tech companies to international nonprofits and NGOs. Teams conduct original behavioral research that solves actual business and policy problems.
What can you do with an Emerging Media Studies degree?
Graduates work across technology, healthcare, government, nonprofits, higher education, consulting, and media organizations. They help global organizations decode complex human-technology interactions and navigate the systemic impacts of emerging tools.
Common career pathways: research scientists, UX researchers, digital policy analysts, data analytics consultants, and university faculty.
Employers include: Meta Reality Labs, the United Nations Development Programme, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Nielsen, MIT Media Lab, and institutions of higher education around the world.
Institutional rankings + reputation
BU’s Emerging Media Studies programs are supported by the strength of Boston University’s nationally recognized College of Communication. Emerging media studies is a field so new it lacks its own popular rankings, but BU COM is consistently recognized across the disciplines that feed into it.
- No. 3: Best Schools for Digital Communication 2025, College Factual
- No. 1: Best Schools for Public Relations & Advertising in the U.S. 2025, College Factual
- Top Film Schools in North America, Variety (unranked list)
- No. 2: Best Journalism Schools 2025, College Factual
Our graduate students frequently publish original empirical work in top-tier academic journals like New Media & Society and present findings at major global conferences.
Specialized Research Initiative
AI and the future initiative
This division-led research hub explores how AI is transforming communication, media, public policy, workplace practices, and everyday life. Students analyze both the strategic opportunities and structural risks of automation—focusing heavily on platform governance, algorithmic accountability, data privacy, and the future of human-machine interaction.
The faculty
Our EMS faculty are world-renowned researchers studying AI governance, deep-tech disinformation, human-computer interaction, and computational sociology. They don’t just teach emerging media—they help define the field through funded research, peer-reviewed publications, and partnerships with industry and government organizations. Then they bring that work directly into your seminar room.
Frequently asked questions about BU’s Emerging Media Studies programs
What exactly is emerging media studies?
It is the social science of how new communication technologies—like AI, VR, social media platforms, and big data—shape human behavior, social psychology, and cultural institutions. It combines media theory, behavioral data analytics, psychological research, and applied methodology to discover why people interact with technology the way they do, and what it means for society.
What is the difference between emerging media studies and UX research?
UX research focuses specifically on understanding user behavior to improve a distinct digital product or interface. Emerging media studies looks at the broader, systemic picture—examining how communities, platforms, policies, and societies interact with technology over time, focusing on political, psychological, and behavioral impacts.
Is Emerging Media Studies the same as Media Science?
No. While both programs study communication and technology, they focus on different questions. Media Science examines how people respond to media, advertising, messaging, and digital experiences to improve communication effectiveness. Emerging Media Studies examines how technologies like AI, social media, virtual reality, and online platforms shape individuals, communities, and society. Students explore questions related to technology, ethics, public policy, culture, and human behavior.
Is Emerging Media Studies a good degree for careers in AI?
Yes. While the program is not a computer science degree, students study how AI affects communication, organizations, public policy, ethics, media, and society. Graduates develop research, analytical, and strategic skills that are increasingly valuable in technology companies, consulting firms, research organizations, nonprofits, and government.
What degrees does BU offer in emerging media studies?
BU’s College of Communication offers two graduate degrees: the MA in Emerging Media Studies, a three-semester research-focused master’s program, and the PhD in Emerging Media Studies, designed for students pursuing independent research and academic careers. BU launched the nation’s first PhD in this field in 2014.
What can I do with an emerging media studies degree from BU?
Graduates work as research scientists, UX researchers, policy analysts, digital strategists, and university faculty. Employers include Meta Reality Labs, NIH, Nielsen, the UN Development Programme, MIT Media Lab, and major tech companies. Some graduates continue into faculty positions at universities in the US and abroad.
Is the MA in Emerging Media Studies STEM-designated?
Yes. The MA program carries an official federal STEM designation. This allows international graduates to apply for the 36-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension to work within the United States after completing their degree.
Do I need a computer science or media background to apply?
No. We welcome diverse applicants from a wide variety of undergraduate disciplines, including sociology, psychology, computer science, economics, business, and journalism. What matters most is a sharp curiosity regarding technology’s impact on human behavior and a strong commitment to learning rigorous research methodologies.
