Design immersive experiences that shape the future

Immersive Experience Design, MS

Combine creative design with emerging technology

As immersive technologies reshape how people connect, communicate and experience the world, there is a growing need for designers who can create meaningful experiences across physical and virtual environments. The Master of Science in Immersive Experience Design at ASU's Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center gives students the skills to lead this transformation.

Students develop expertise in extended reality, immersive storytelling, real-time rendering, generative art, AI, data visualization, creative programming and human-computer interaction, preparing them to create real-world projects across entertainment, health care, civic engagement and education.

Key competencies include

Student Projects

Work created by students in the Immersive Experience Design program, showcased at MIXibition and public exhibitions.

In-demand jobs

Graduates from the MS in Immersive Experience Design will be highly competitive in the job market, equipped to lead technological innovation in industries such as entertainment, health care, education and more.

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15% job growth

Projected growth by 2034 for roles such as software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers

Individual wearing VR set and hand set. They are using the equipment to explore virtual world

$92–$167K avg salary

For immersive technology professionals

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Industry connections

Course-integrated collaborations with Unity, NVIDIA, Canon and Nova Sky Stories

Projected job growth numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (visited Dec. 9, 2025). Job salary numbers from Glassdoor.com (visited Dec. 9, 2025).

Industry collaborators

These collaborations are built directly into the curriculum. Students work with industry collaborators throughout their coursework, not just at career fairs.

 NVIDIA

 Meta

 AWS

 Unity

 Unreal Engine

 Dreamscape Learn

 Sky Elements

 Touch Designer by Derivative

Curriculum

36 credits of rigorous, hands-on coursework over two years.

Required Core (18 credits)

DSC 551 Immersive Experience Design I

3 cr

DSC 552 Interactive Art and Media Installations

3 cr

DSC 553 Designing Digital Worlds

3 cr

DSC 554 Introduction to Extended Realities

3 cr

DSC 556 Programming Fundamentals for IXD

3 cr

DSC 557 Ethics and Social Impact in Immersive Experiences

3 cr

Research + Electives + Capstone (18 credits)

DSC 558 Applied Research in IXD

3 cr

Electives Choose from approved list across Herberger programs

12 cr

DSC 559 Immersive Experience Integration and Realization

3 cr

Capstone: A final design studio with a written component, guided by studio faculty and industry professionals.

Total Program Credits

36

Program director

Faculty

The program's core faculty bring industry experience from the MSG Sphere, Walt Disney Imagineering, NASA, Google and Nike, combined with internationally recognized research.

The MIX Center

Your home base: 118,000 sq ft of world-class immersive media facilities in Mesa's Innovation District. Learn more about about the Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center at mix.asu.edu

ASU MIX Center building on the outside. Notable observations are the bright lights surrounding the building and the screen used for video

Admission

Applicants from design, media arts, and related fields are welcome. No coding proficiency required.

  •  Graduate admissions application and application fee
  • Official transcripts (minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 hours)
  • Letter of intent outlining motivation, goals, and background
  • Portfolio showcasing design skills, creativity, and conceptual thinking (via SlideRoom)
  • Professional resume
  • Two professional references
  • Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)

Application deadlines

Admission is selective. Students must enroll in the semester for which they are admitted.

Connect with us

If you have any questions, please reach out to us!

Our admission representatives in the Herberger Institute can provide admissions guidance and support to prospective students

 [email protected]

 480-965-3436

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