Educational goals

The main objective of the Master's degree in Digital Communication is to train students in adequate scientific knowledge, critical awareness and technical-specialist skills for the analysis, management and evaluation of all communication phenomena that use direct and indirect digital tools. The suggested master’s degree course is designed to train: a) specific skills in analysing operational problems related to the world of communication with particular reference to the implementation of digital technologies; b) specific skills for the creation of digital communication products, communication campaigns on digital media, tools for the management of the communication with stakeholders; c) specific knowledge in the evaluation of operational solutions. These objectives are developed from a highly multi-disciplinary perspective that, in addition to analysis and design skills, enables the development of the critical awareness necessary to discuss and evaluate the ethical consequences and social repercussions communicated through digital media. Furthermore, the Master’s degree objective is to develop the interpersonal and management skills required to coordinate the work of a team of specialists. The study plan (120 ECTS) is organised into five areas, which content was created according to the objectives described above. The five areas are as follow: a. Engineering area for which course content is planned on: i. digital technologies hardware and software infra-structure and protection models of cybersecurity; ii.integrated digital ecosystems iii. web and social media platform optimisation technologies (SEO and SEM) b. Methodological area in which students will develop specific knowledge in managing digital tools typical of social and political, economic and market research such as: i.Data construction models through digital platforms (CAWI systems;CATI; BIGDATA dataware-housing); ii.complex data analysis models using specific algorithms (BIG DATA analytics and simulation scenes based on machine learning); iii.models for analysis of political and institutional marketing processes for the support of public decision; c. Content production area with the following courses: i.linguistics of digital communication; ii.analysis and management of digital communication for public opinion; iii.digital marketing with a focus on the private and public sector; iv.narrative communication tools applied to the digital world; v.models of digital journalism. d. Juridical area that will allow the development of specific skills in legislation in the areas of: i.protection of personal data ii. Intellectual property and digital communication iii.public law iv. communication and information in public administration e. Area of digital processes in organisations in which will be developed skills of : i.public relations ii.digital organisational models and human resources iii.public diplomacy and the digital era. The lectures will be structured in a step-by-step model. For all the learning areas indicated, an initial course of a more institutional nature is proposed, providing the specialist theoretical framework of the area, followed by courses that allow for more in-depth specialisation. Some courses are offered alternatively to allow personalised student learning around different thematic topics. Each of these topics can be analyzed in depth at different levels, allowing students to create a possible individual study plan according to their personal educational objectives, interests and aptitudes (guided by a specific committee of the Didactic Board), respecting the multidisciplinarity to which all students are exposed. Lectures and other teaching activities in the study plan are organised in four semesters, two years considering an incremental logic: first technical and methodological-analytical lectures are provided, then lectures that provide management skills. In the final part, there is a compulsory internship experience and the completion of a dissertation evaluated through a final examination. These last elements of the Master’s degree are aimed at allowing the student to practice the skills learnt in the first part of the course and can be designed in close connection.

Career opportunities

The graduates of this degree can be placed in different organisations for the production of digital communication. In particular, they can be placed in: • Multinational companies in different sectors such as: - Communication, -Marketing, HR, -Organisation and internal communication • Communication, public relations and marketing companies • professional consultancy activities for small and medium enterprises • In different public administration areas, the coordination of activities and the delivery of digital process • Third sector and non-profit associations with digital communication supervision tasks • Associations and institutional organisations representing social and political partners • Journalistic editors for the production of digital content

Admission requirements

To be admitted to the master's degree program, students must hold a bachelor's degree or a three-year university diploma, or another qualification obtained abroad recognized as suitable by the competent bodies of the University. In order to meet the objectives of the program, students are required to have specific curricular requirements and adequate initial preparation. These requirements include obtaining a bachelor's degree in the following degree classes: CLASS L20 Degrees in Communication Sciences; CLASS L16 Degrees in Administration and Organization Sciences; CLASS L18 Degrees in Economics and Business Management Sciences; CLASS L33 Degrees in Economic Sciences; CLASS L36 Degrees in Political Sciences and International Relations. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the master's degree program, in the case of degrees in other classes, the minimum curricular requirements are indicated in the following list: a. 6 CFU in the SSD sector ING-INF/05 or equivalent, allowing for adequate basic technical preparation; b. 6 CFU in at least one of these SSDs: SPS/04, SPS/07, SPS/08 or SPS/09, or in equivalent SSDs allowing for adequate socio-political and/or organizational preparation; c. 6 CFU in at least one of these SSDs: IUS/01, IUS/04, IUS/08, IUS/09 or IUS/10, allowing for adequate legal preparation. Once the curricular requirements are met, as required by current regulations, the personal preparation of students will be assessed by a special commission within the Didactic Council. The Didactic Regulations establish specific methods for assessing requirements and verifying adequate initial preparation.