Digital Media PhD

Major: Digital Media
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 90.0 (post-bachelor's) or 45.0 (post-master's)
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 11.0801
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 15-1134

About the Program

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Digital Media at Drexel University is a 45–90 credit, interdisciplinary research degree designed for students who aim to advance the boundaries of digital media through original scholarly and creative work. Grounded in the core domains of Art and Design, Technology, and Critical Thinking, the program prepares doctoral candidates to contribute new knowledge to the field by critically engaging with emerging technologies, theoretical frameworks, and real-world applications.

The PhD program supports both post-master’s and post-baccalaureate pathways:

• Post-master’s students complete a 45-credit curriculum that includes advanced, cross-listed coursework and research-intensive seminars.
• Post-baccalaureate students complete 90 credits, which include the full MS in Digital Media curriculum followed by advanced doctoral study.

Students are encouraged to explore interdisciplinary research topics that may span immersive media, game studies, AI-enhanced design, critical theory, accessibility, digital preservation, education, health, or cultural heritage—bridging technical practice and scholarly inquiry.

This is a STEM-designated program, and it is structured to align with Drexel's "Road to Doctoral Degree" process, ensuring clear milestones from coursework to candidacy, dissertation proposal, and final defense.

Ideal PhD candidates will:

• Demonstrate prior academic or professional experience in digital media, computing, design, or related fields.
• Be prepared to conduct original research aligned with one of the program’s three core domains.
• Show strong potential for interdisciplinary inquiry and contribution to the evolving field of digital media.

Additional Information

For more information, visit Drexel's Graduate Studies in Digital Media webpage.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD in Digital Media is highly selective and intended for students prepared to undertake original, interdisciplinary research in digital design, animation, games, immersive media, and critical media studies. Applicants may enter the program with either a master’s or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2 is recommended. However, applicants with a lower GPA may still be considered if they demonstrate exceptional potential through other components of their application.

All applicants are reviewed holistically, and successful candidates typically demonstrate:

• A strong academic background in digital media, design, computer science, interactive technology, media theory, or a related field
• Evidence of research, creative practice, or professional experience relevant to digital media
• Clear alignment between the applicant’s research interests and one or more of the program’s core domains: Art and Design, Technology, Critical Thinking

Required application materials:

• Academic transcripts
• Curriculum vitae or résumé
• Statement of purpose outlining research interests, background, and academic goals
• Two or more letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
• A portfolio or research writing sample is strongly encouraged, depending on the applicant’s disciplinary background
• There is no GRE requirement

For more information on requirements and how to apply, visit Graduate Admissions at Drexel University.

Degree Requirements

Program Requirements Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Digital Media is a research-intensive program designed to support original scholarly and creative contributions to the field. Students may enter the program with either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree.

• Post-baccalaureate students complete a 90-credit plan of study, which includes the full MS in Digital Media curriculum (45 credits) followed by 45 credits of doctoral-level coursework and dissertation research.
• Post-master’s students complete a 45-credit plan of study focused on advanced doctoral coursework, seminars, and dissertation research.

Program Requirements

Post-Baccalaureate PhD Course Requirements

*

Defined by the advisor and specified in the E-Forms Plan of Study

**

Chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor

***

Three-credit course to be taken at least 3 times

Post-Master's PhD Course Requirements

*

Defined by the advisor and specified in the E-Forms Plan of Study

**

Three-credit course to be taken at least 3 times

All PhD students progress through the following required milestones:

1. Appointment of Dissertation Advisor
2. Every PhD student must formally identify a dissertation advisor no later than the second term in the program. Post-master’s students are expected to do so as early as possible—ideally before entering the program—since they are presumed to have already focused on a research area and initiated contact with a potential advisor. Dissertation advisors are not required to be Digital Media faculty, but must be approved by the Department of Digital Media in accordance with college and university policies.
3.  
4. Plan of Study
5. In collaboration with the advisor and graduate program director, each student must submit a formal Plan of Study that outlines their proposed coursework and research trajectory. This plan must be submitted via Drexel's "Road to Doctoral Degree" system and updated as needed.
6.  
7. Doctoral Candidacy Exam
8. The candidacy exam consists of a written preliminary research proposal and an oral defense evaluated by the Doctoral Candidacy Committee. Students are expected to complete this milestone by the end of the fall term of their second year. Successful completion of the exam and required coursework qualifies the student for doctoral candidacy.
9.  
10. Dissertation Committee Appointment
11. Within six months of passing the candidacy exam, students must propose and have approved a Dissertation Committee that complies with college and university guidelines. The committee must include at least five members, with representation from Digital Media core faculty, Drexel tenure-track faculty, and at least one member from outside the Westphal College.
12.  
13. Dissertation Proposal
14. The proposal includes a formal written document, a public presentation, and an oral defense before the full Dissertation Committee. The proposal should demonstrate the significance, feasibility, and scholarly merit of the planned dissertation research.
15.  
16. Dissertation Research and Defense
17. Following approval of the proposal, students undertake original research under the guidance of their committee. The final written dissertation must be defended publicly and approved by the committee according to university procedures.
18.  

There are no formal elective or prerequisite courses beyond the MS curriculum for post-baccalaureate students. Directed research coursework, independent studies, and cross-college collaborations are approved on a case-by-case basis as part of each student’s individualized Plan of Study.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample Plan of Study for Post-Baccalaureate Ph.D. Students

Sample Plan of Study for Post-Master's Ph.D. Students

Facilities

Graduate students in Digital Media at Drexel University benefit from access to cutting-edge facilities housed within the award-winning URBN Center. These include animation and game development studios, immersive media labs, and fabrication spaces. The program features a professional-grade LED volume wall for real-time virtual production, enabling dynamic in-camera visual effects and immersive storytelling. Complementing this are an industry-standard green screen cyclorama and a Vicon motion capture system, supporting a wide range of projects. Additional venues such as the Pearlstein Gallery, URBN screening room, and black box theater provide spaces for exhibitions, critiques, and performances, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment for digital media exploration.

Digital Media Faculty

Emeritus Faculty