Design the future. Shape digital experiences that inspire, inform, and innovate.
Design the digital experiences of tomorrow – games, apps, websites, AR/VR – and everything in between. Whether you’re drawn to storytelling, user experience (UX) design, or cutting-edge technology, our Interactive Media (IMED) degree puts you in control of where the future goes next.
At Harrisburg University, we empower students to become creative leaders in the fast-evolving digital media industry. Whether you’re building immersive apps, directing multimedia campaigns, or designing user experiences for healthcare, training, or civic tech, you’ll gain the skills, tools, and portfolio needed to succeed – starting from day one.
Key Takeaways
Experiential learning is the core of what we do at HU. Every student completes a research project, an applied project, and a professional internship. You’ll graduate with real-world experience, not just coursework.
Hands-on learning from your first semester.
Industry-focused curriculum built for emerging careers.
Experiential by design: learn by doing, creating, and collaborating.
Cutting-edge courses in UX, digital marketing, media production, AR/VR, and more.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration across tech, design, and business.
Internship opportunities to apply your skills in real-world settings.
Career-ready graduates with standout portfolios.
Program Goals
Build a portfolio that opens doors. Launch yourself into a high-demand career in digital marketing, UX design, content strategy, media production, and more.
You won’t just learn theory – you’ll work on real-world projects from day one. Collaborate with healthcare professionals on immersive training tools, design second-screen experiences for live events, and prototype mobile apps for actual clients. The major exposes you to both the technical and non-technical aspects of interactive media development.
Graduates of the Interactive Media program will be prepared to:
Conduct user research and data analysis to inform UX and interaction design.
Design and develop interactive products for web, mobile, and immersive platforms.
Apply human-centered design and design thinking to solve real-world problems.
Collaborate on cross-functional teams to execute multimedia and digital projects.
Communicate effectively through visual storytelling and media production.
Integrate new media theory with technologies like AR, VR, and game design.
Manage the full project lifecycle, from concept and prototyping to final deployment.
Concentration
Students can tailor their education to match their unique interests and career goals through the Individualized Concentration. In this flexible pathway, students select three IMED electives along with three additional free electives from IMED or other approved programs across the School of Applied Media & Innovation and the wider university. This structure allows students to build a personalized focus in areas such as user experience (UX/UI) design, advanced media production, digital marketing, interactive storytelling, content creation, and emerging media technologies. The concentration also supports portfolio development and interdisciplinary skill-building, preparing graduates for careers across the creative technology and digital media industries.
INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Digital creatives are in demand across industries – from entertainment and eCommerce to healthcare and civic tech. Harrisburg University’s IMED program prepares students for success in fast-paced, innovation-driven environments. Graduates pursue careers in UX design, media production, digital marketing, creative direction, and interactive content creation. With hands-on projects in areas like mobile app design, healthcare communication, immersive AR/VR experiences, and multimedia storytelling, students build a future-proof portfolio that sets them apart.
Where do Harrisburg University graduates and interns work?
Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE)
LEGO
PennDOT
WHTM-TV / abc27
US Department of Veterans Affairs
IMED CORE COURSES
Students enrolled in the Interactive Media bachelor’s degree program complete each of the following Core Courses, for a total of 41 semester hours.
This foundational course introduces the student to the essentials of visual computing, graphic design, web technologies, and more, focusing on skills such as image manipulation, HTML/CSS design, interactive experiences, and 3D modeling. Designed for aspiring creatives and digital innovators, it offers a hands-on approach to exploring various design disciplines, setting the stage for specialized advanced studies. IMED 110 is the gateway for the student to unlock their potential within the interactive media landscape.
This course will introduce the student to computing by creating and manipulating digital media. In the course, the student will create expressive media by manipulating computational materials (like arrays and linked list). The student will manipulate images by changing pixels, create sounds by iterating over samples, render linked lists into music, and create artifacts like collages, music, and digital video special effects.
Interactive media encompasses a broad range of disciplines, technologies, processes and experiences. This course will introduce students interested (and enrolled) in the primary areas offered in the Interactive Media program including interactive experience design, media production, and digital games design. This course will be co-taught by several IMED faculty members based on their areas of expertise.
This Digital Photography course is designed to introduce three major components of digital photography: camera mechanics, image composition and digital photo editing. Students will learn to confidently control the photographic process and produce a portfolio of work that has been carefully imagined, executed, edited and presented. A digital SLR camera and Adobe Creative Cloud license are required for this course.
This Digital Photography course is designed to introduce three major components of digital photography: camera mechanics, image composition, and digital photo editing. Students will learn to confidently control the photographic process and produce a portfolio of work that has been carefully imagined, executed, edited, and presented. A digital SLR camera and Adobe Creative Cloud license are required for this course.
This course unveils the strategic art of persuasive writing in the realm of marketing, guiding the student through the nuances of crafting compelling copy that transcends mere storytelling. This course delves into the core principles of copywriting, emphasizing the creation of content that captivates and entertains but also prompts the reader to act. The student will learn the foundational elements, objectives, and methodologies for developing impactful copy that enhances brand visibility, encourages consumer engagement, and drives campaign success. Through a structured step-by-step process, this course equips future marketers with the skills to create attention-grabbing content that effectively communicates the value of an offering.
This course immerses the student in the vibrant world of digital media production, offering a unique blend of creativity and practical application. This course is structured to provide an engaging hands-on environment where the student is tasked with producing a diverse range of digital media projects. Utilizing state-of-the-art hardware, cutting-edge software, and versatile web-based tools, the student will cultivate the creative and critical thinking skills essential for thriving in digital production careers. Additionally, this course encourages the student to pursue the Adobe Certified Professional certification, adding a valuable credential to their professional toolkit. By the end of this course, the student will have not only developed a robust portfolio of digital works but also prepared themselves for advanced opportunities in the digital media landscape. This course is a pivotal step for the student aiming to excel in the digital production domain.
The fundamental theory and practice of new media is explored in this course. It prepares the student for creative expression and technology application in all aspects of multimedia for effective message communication, whether it is for a specific product, a game or entertainment site, instruction, or eCommerce. New and emerging interactive digital media is used to create, store, transmit and sell products and services. The student may work on a project to enhace a local employer to recruit and expand business. Offered Semester II (Spring), annually.
This course focuses on analyzing, managing, producing, and deploying interative media projects. Topics include: initial planning, proposal writing, information architecture, interface design, project management, user testing, and installation. The student develops various project ideas and presents a final design concept to potential museum, hospitality, theme park or government agency client. Software, hardware, and resources vary based on technical aspects and unique aesthetics of an interactive encounter. Offered Semester II (Spring), annually.
This course evaluates design and development procedures used across creative industries. The student is introduced to effective team and process management procedures utilized through the lens of interative experiences and software development. These topics are further developed through guest lectures, collaborative learning exercises and the development of individual project plans, which primarily focus on the people, pixels, and processes used in interactive media development.
This course is an upper-level production course focusing on the creation of innovative, workable prototypes using a variety of interactive techniques and emerging technologies. New media (games, digital simulations, mobile applications, and social experience design) is the latest development genre and are analyzed as cultural artifacts. The aesthetics of user experience, personal interaction, and delivery systems are covered along with an analysis of leadership techniques used in independent and AAA production firms.
IMED 455 is a studio-style practicum crafted to arm graduating undergraduates with the real-world skills and experience needed to thrive in digital marketing careers. This course offers an immersive dive into actual projects and scenarios, providing the student with an in-depth understanding of industry best practices, the latest emerging trends, and the professional standards expected in the digital marketing field. Through collaborative group projects, sessions with guest speakers from the industry, and networking opportunities, the student will gain practical experience and begin to build a solid professional network. Designed for those on the cusp of launching their careers, IMED 455 lays the groundwork for professional success in digital marketing.
The goal of this course is to introduce entrepreneurship concepts by providing insight into entrepreneurial processes-from finding and evaluating good business opportunities to new venture start-up and growth issues-and entrepreneurial behavior, a critical success factor in new venture creation. The student will learn how businesses are structured and study data from business operations. The student will analyze and evaluate business data to make decisions. The student will learn how to use spreadsheets for analysis to make informed decisions, use written communication to justify those decisions, and deliver oral presentations to communicate those decisions.
IMED Computer Requirements
Students enrolled in the Interactive Media Program have computing needs that differ from the standard university requirements. For all courses involving face-to-face or ‘in-class’ instruction, students are required to have a laptop computer the meets IMED minimum specifications. For any fully online course or for any secondary machine, students are free to use desktop computers that meet these requirements. If you already have a computer and want to continue using it at Harrisburg University, please be aware of our minimum requirements for system operation and connectivity.
Minimum System Requirements
Processor: 3.0 GHz or greater (2-core or greater)
RAM: 16 GB (minimum)
Hard Drive: 512 GB or greater, SSD (Solid State Drive) highly recommended
Integrated webcam or high-quality external camera for video communication
Quality microphone (Headsets are recommended) for audio communication.
SpacEscape is a problem-solving mobile game created by students and faculty at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. The game provides middle school students an opportunity to learn about space science while practicing their problem-solving skills.
