The Computational Media M.S. at UC Santa Cruz helps students build a strong foundation in interdisciplinary computational media, covering media creation, computer programming, and interpretive practices. The curriculum integrates both broad and specialized coursework, culminating in a student-defined thesis that demonstrates the ability to develop novel, research-driven work. The program focuses on areas such as video games, interactive narrative, digital media, and the social, cultural, and technical aspects of computational media. Graduates are prepared for further research, industry roles, or advanced doctoral study.