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Extended Realities, MS in Boston

Northeastern’s Master of Science in Extended Realities (XR) is designed to bring students a deep understanding of the processes, skills and knowledge needed to craft impactful XR experiences. The groundbreaking program partners with multiple Northeastern colleges to provide a breadth of theory, technologies and interdisciplinary perspectives.

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The Master of Science in Extended Realities is a STEM-designated program that responds to explosive growth in XR technologies through a flexible curriculum tailored to individual career goals. As one of the first universities to offer a dedicated master’s program in XR, Northeastern is uniquely positioned to lead in this space. Our program is designed to help students explore how immersive technologies can solve global challenges and contribute to a healthier, safer and more sustainable future.

XR students utilize cutting-edge immersive lab spaces including the Immersive Media Labs and Experiential Technologies Lab. Through Northeastern’s signature co-op program, students can also gain valuable industry experience while building their portfolios and professional networks, preparing them to make meaningful contributions to the field from day one. 

The Extended Realities program is enhanced with a first-ever multi-college partnership that connects the College of Arts, Media and Design, Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the D’Amore-McKim School of Business. Students build expertise through core courses in XR history, design, development and industry practices, along with a specialized concentration. The three CAMD concentration offerings, focusing on Design, Games and Media, consist of 34 to 35 credit hours completed over two years of study. 

MS in Extended Realities in Oakland

The MS in Extended Realities (XR + Games concentration) is also available at Northeastern University in Oakland.

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Application Deadlines + Requirements

Program Objectives

Students in the MS in Extended Realities program will gain a deep understanding of the interdisciplinary skills, theories, technologies, and processes needed to craft impactful XR experiences.

Students will:

  • Develop an in-depth understanding of the theory and history of XR experiences.
  • Learn current state-of-the-art XR technologies, including hardware and software used for augmented, virtual, and mixed reality.
  • Participate in meaningful critique of XR experiences and show mastery over nomenclature and vocabulary.
  • Create narrative experiences that leverage the advantages of XR to make an impact on the audience.
  • Move ideas into action through the practice of ideating and rapid prototyping XR experiences.

Degree

Master of Science

Credits

34-35

Duration

2 Years

Location

Boston

Format

In-person

Type

STEM-designated

 

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Craft the Future of Immersive Technology

The XR program features experiential, project-based learning with an interdisciplinary curriculum that provides students with unprecedented breadth of perspectives and expertise. Meaningful critique sessions and collaborative projects ensure graduates can effectively analyze XR experiences and demonstrate mastery over the complex, evolving landscape of extended reality technologies. 

CAMD Program Concentrations

  • XR + Design
  • XR + Games
  • XR + Media

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Course Catalog

Sample Plan of Study

XR Theory + Historical Foundation

Students develop in-depth understanding of the theory and history of extended reality experiences while mastering the specialized nomenclature and vocabulary of the field.

State-of-the-Art Technology Integration

The program teaches current XR technologies including cutting-edge hardware and software used for augmented, virtual, and mixed reality applications.

Narrative Experience Creation

Students learn to create compelling narrative experiences that leverage XR's unique advantages to make meaningful impact on audiences across various contexts.

Rapid Prototyping + Ideation

The curriculum emphasizes moving ideas into action through hands-on practice in ideating and rapidly prototyping XR experiences using industry-standard processes.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Science in Extended Realities are positioned to lead the next wave of immersive technology innovation across multiple industries. As one of the first programs of its kind, our graduates are ready to enter a rapidly expanding field where XR applications are transforming everything from entertainment and education to business training and visualization. Whether it be developing immersive experiences for major brands, creating interactive training simulations for corporations and schools, or building the next generation of applications for consumer markets, they are building the future of how we will work, learn and play in the digital spaces.  

Our program prepares students for careers such as: 

  • XR developer 
  • Immersive experience designer 
  • Software engineer 
  • Extended realities specialist 
  • Animators 
  • Video Game Designers 

Students

The Master of Science in Extended Realities attracts game developers, designers, computer scientists, artists and entrepreneurs interested in VR, AR and immersive technology applications. Students come from both technical and creative backgrounds, united by their excitement about the future of immersive experiences.  Whether you have or want to gain experience in game development, 3D modeling, interactive media, or are simply fascinated by the possibilities of XR, this program provides specialized training grounded in both theory and real-world application.

Interdisciplinary

Resources + Community

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Deadlines and Requirements

Admissions Contact

Program Coordinator

Faculty

Art + Design

Mark Sivak

Creative Media Division Head, Teaching Professor