About the Program

The Berkeley Center for New Media (BCNM) offers two programs for graduate students at UC Berkeley, a Designated Emphasis in New Media and a Graduate Certificate.

Designated Emphasis

BCNM's designated emphasis is for selected students from any Berkeley doctoral program. It provides enhanced skills in analyzing and/or designing future media with an awareness of historical, social, cultural, and other perspectives that might not be visible from any single disciplinary point of view. Students completing the PhD program receive the designation "in New Media" on their diplomas. New Media Designated Emphasis students are also eligible for a variety of fellowships and graduate student instructor positions through BCNM.

Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in New Media is an addition to existing master’s degree-granting programs. Students receive a certificate with the designation “Graduate Certificate Program in New Media,” which certifies their successful completion of the New Media requirements. The award is posted to students’ transcripts. Designed to enhance interdisciplinary graduate studies at UC Berkeley, the graduate certificate program emphasizes critical understanding of the nature and implications of new media, broadly conceived, drawing on theories and methodologies from across the disciplinary spectrum—the arts, the humanities and social sciences, and science and engineering. The Graduate Certificate in New Media provides students with a competitive edge for some of the most desirable jobs in industry and academia, and may enhance opportunities for innovative and collaborative research.

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Admissions

Admission to the Designated Emphasis

Any UC Berkeley PhD student in good standing may apply. Admission to the BCNM Designated Emphasis program is determined by the BCNM DE Academic Programs Committee. To apply, students must send a letter of intent, their curriculum vitae, a letter of recommendation from their UC Berkeley faculty adviser, their Berkeley course transcript, petition for change of major or degree goal form, BCNM course requirements worksheet, along with the BCNM cover form to the Center for New Media. Applications are accepted twice a year, with deadlines for admission on March 1 and November 1.

Admission to the Masters Certificate Program

Any UC Berkeley master's student in good standing may apply. To apply, students should send a letter of intent, their curriculum vitae, a letter of recommendation from their UC Berkeley faculty adviser, their Berkeley course transcript, BCNM course requirements worksheet, along with the BCNM cover form to the Center for New Media. Additionally, applicants may supplement their portfolio with their own research publications and creative productions, which pertain to the critical study of new media, in the form of DVDs, websites, and so on. Submitting a creative portfolio is optional. Applications are accepted twice a year, with deadlines for admission on March 1 and November 1.

Designated Emphasis Requirements

Curriculum/Coursework

It is possible to provide evidence of equivalent level of experience/skill in an area and request a waiver of a core course by writing a petition to the DE academic program committee, endorsed by your program adviser, describing how the requirement has been met with a previous course (include a copy of your transcript to confirm completion) or provide evidence of equivalent experience. Questions about the core requirements may be addressed to the BCNM graduate adviser, Coye Cheshire, at coye@berkeley.edu .

Qualifying Examination

Your PhD qualifying exam committee must include at least one member of the BCNM Graduate Group/Affiliated Faculty who will evaluate your knowledge related to the designated emphasis.

Dissertation

Your PhD dissertation topic must be related to New Media and your PhD dissertation committee must include at least one member of the BCNM Graduate Group/Affiliated Faculty who can evaluate it from that perspective.

Certificate Requirements

Curriculum/Coursework

Core Classes

Certificate students must take one of the following core seminars offered each year by BCNM:

Elective Courses

Students must complete new media-related breadth courses in at least two of the following three areas: technology, art/design, and humanities. The two courses must be approved by the BCNM graduate adviser. Breadth courses must be taken at Berkeley (transfer credit will not be accepted).

Research Resources

Lyman Fellowship

The Peter Lyman Graduate Fellowship in new media, established in the memory of esteemed UC Berkeley Professor Peter Lyman, provides a stipend to a UC Berkeley PhD candidate to support the writing of his or her PhD dissertation on a topic related to new media. The fellowship is supported by donations from Professor Barrie Thorne, Sage Publications and many individual friends and faculty. Funds total approximately $5000 each year.

Summer Research Fellowships

The Center for New Media endeavors to offer five $1,000 summer research fellowships each year to support its graduate students’ research agendas.

Additional Conference and Research Support

Each year, BCNM provides seed funding for student-led conferences. These awards are available by petition to the director and program officer.

Space

Cubicles are available by application on the fourth floor of Sutardja Dai Hall. The BCNM also administers 340 Moffitt, which can be booked for classes, office hours, seminars, and meetings.

Teaching Opportunities

The BCNM strives to provide its graduate students with opportunities for teaching experience. Each year, the center employs three GSIs (graduate student instructors) to staff small discussions or assist with grading for it three core courses. The BCNM seeks to offer summer session courses and encourages its students to apply for these positions.

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Courses

New Media