New Media and Digital Design

Current NMDD Student Information

Students can no longer declare NMDD as a major or minor. Only the new Design & Technology (DEST) program will be available to new students.

NMDD will officially run until its to-be-terminated (TBT) date of August 31, 2032, giving all students time to complete their degrees. 

Thinking about switching from NMDD to D+T?

If you are a current NMDD student, your degree remains fully supported and accredited. This page explains what the transition means for you.

Unlike NMDD, DEST does not require an internship or computer science core course, however an internship can count towards competencies, and the making competency has a large amount of computer science courses to choose from.

MAJOR

New Media and Digital Design (NMDD)
Total Required: 11 courses total (36 credits)

Design and Technology (DEST)
Total Required: 11 courses total (36 credits)

Required (5 courses)

  • NMDD 1001: Explorations in New Media and Digital Design
  • NMDD 3900: Internship Seminar
  • NMDD 4600 Capstone Seminar
  • Comp Sci Core (1 course)
  • Ethics Course (1 course)

Elective distribution (6 courses)

  • Concentration (4 courses)
    • Art, Text and Design
    • New Media and Information
    • New Media and Commerce
  • Free Electives (2 courses)

Required (3 courses)

  • DEST 1001: Intro to Media Design (4)
  • DEST 1002: Intro to Design Prototyping (4)
  • DEST 4600: Capstone Seminar (4)

Elective distribution (8 courses)

  • Social responsibility (2 courses)
  • Design Methods (2 courses)
  • Business Strategy (2 courses)
  • Computation and Making (2 courses)
MINOR

New Media and Digital Design (NMDD)
Total Required: 6 courses total

Design and Technology (DEST)
Total Required: 6 courses total

Required (2 courses)

  • NMDD 1001: Explorations in Digital Design
  • Select one of the following courses:
    • NMDD 3150: Creative Coding
    • CISC 2350: Information and Web Programming
    • CISC 2500: Information and Data Management
    • CISC 2530: Digital Video and Multimedia
    • CISC 2850: Computer and Data Analysis
    • CISC 3300: Internet and Web Programming

Electives (4 courses from one concentration)

  • New Media and Information
  • Art, Text, and Design
  • New Media and Commerce

Required (2 courses)

  • DEST 1001: Fundamentals of Media Design (4) w/ lab on Adobe Suite
  • DEST 1002: Fundamentals of Interaction Design (4) w/ lab

Electives (4 courses - one from each competency)

  • Social responsibility (1 course)
  • Design Methods (1 course)
  • Business strategy (1 course)
  • Computation and Making (1 course)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my classes change?

Most courses will continue as usual but may carry both NMDD and DEST codes.

  • DEST 1001 (Fundamentals of Media Design) = NMDD 1001.
  • Upper-level courses like NMDD 3450 (UX Design) and NMDD 4600 (Capstone) will also appear under DEST codes.
  • Courses are not taught separately, you will be in the same classroom with both NMDD and DEST students.
Can I take DEST courses as an NMDD student?

Yes. DEST courses may count toward NMDD degree requirements, and your advisor will confirm which ones apply.

Do I need to worry about conflicts or missing requirements?

No. The department has designed the transition so NMDD and DEST students share the same classes when possible. Advisors will guide you to make sure you stay on track.

Why is NMDD changing to Design & Technology (DEST)?

The update reflects how the field — and Fordham’s program — has evolved.

  • Broader scope: The NMDD program was originally built around concentrations (Art & Text, Information, Commerce). The new DEST program is organized around competencies that better match today’s design and technology careers:

    • Social Responsibility (design as social)
    • Business Strategy (design as product)
    • Design Methods (design as process)
    • Making (design as material)

  • Clearer identity: Design & Technology more accurately describes what students study and the skills they graduate with, making the program stronger for advising, internships, and job placement.

  • More flexibility: The competency model lets you build your own pathway (UX designer, digital artist, product designer, activist designer, etc.) rather than being locked into one concentration.

  • Future-facing: The name and curriculum align with industry expectations and graduate programs, ensuring Fordham students stay competitive.
What happens if I want to switch into Design & Technology (DEST)?
  • New Students: Students entering Fordham in Fall 2026 or later will automatically join DEST.
  • Current NMDD students: If you declared NMDD before Summer 2026 but want to explore DEST, you’ll need to speak with your advisor. In some cases, you may be able to change your major officially; in others, you can remain NMDD and still take DEST-coded courses as electives.
What this means if you switch:
  • Some of your NMDD courses may “map” directly into DEST competencies.
  • Your advisor will work with you to evaluate your credits and see how far along you are in NMDD before deciding if switching makes sense.
What does this mean for NMDD, and my NMDD degree?
  • NMDD will officially run until its to-be-terminated (TBT) date of August 31, 2032, giving all students time to complete their degrees.