Cutting-Edge Digital Programs Meet
Workplace Demand

St. Edward’s is ahead of the game in preparing students for careers in the fastest-growing media sector in the world — the video, computer and online games industry. As of 2010, games out-paced the music and movie industries combined, earning $40 billion annually across the globe. To meet the rising demand for skilled workers, St. Edward’s offers innovative bachelor’s degrees in Digital Media Management (DMM), Interactive Games Management and Interactive Games Studies.

Bringing Business Skills to a Digital Space

“The DMM program is one of the few of its kind that aims to create a business manager who successfully functions at the crossroads of technology, business and the digital media arts,” says Russell Rains, program director and associate professor of Digital Media Management, and one of the program’s founders.

DMM majors take core business administration classes. Additionally, they study aspects of business specific to digital fields, from law to marketing to project management of the production of digital products and services. The degree combines the best of a business background with cutting-edge knowledge that can be applied to the digital music, film and gaming worlds, as well as more traditional business settings.

Educating Communicators and Team Players

Students interested in the games industry can choose between a business degree and a design degree. In both programs, students gain hands-on experience with the many elements of game design.

Traditional managers who lack firsthand experience with game development can have difficulty understanding the needs of the team who codes and creates games. The Interactive Games Management degree addresses this challenge. Students graduate with equal mastery of the design and business elements of the games industry and are able to communicate fluently with both developers and executives.

Likewise, students in the Interactive Games Studies program learn about coding, audio, design, graphics and storytelling — all of the skills required in game development. No matter what their chosen focus, they know their teammates’ areas as well.

Preparing Tomorrow’s Digital Leaders

Students network with professional guest speakers, and professors with real-world expertise can help connect students to internship opportunities. As these industries mature, the need for managers who truly understand their fields is soaring, making students with these degrees uniquely qualified.

“All of the degrees fill a genuine business need,” Rains says.

“My classes focus a lot on real life examples, so I can confidently answer analytical questions at internship interviews,” says Jeff Arn ’13, a Digital Media Management major. “When I graduate, I’ll be in a good position because the program has given me lots of experience.”

Students who want to continue their education can enter the award-winning MBA in Digital Media Management program at St. Edward’s University, which includes a platinum pass to the South by Southwest® conference.