MIT Graduate Program in Comparative Media Studies

Studying Media and Making Media

by on

Pausing graduate program admissions

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on higher education, including here at MIT. While there are some challenges that, in the long run, will produce great advancements in everything from medicine to online education, for now the short-term challenges are less abstract. Campus access restrictions and financial limitations complicate the planning of departmental programs.

Because of these complexities and uncertainties, we have decided to pause admission to the CMS master’s program for this coming year — the class that would otherwise matriculate in fall of 2021. This does not affect current students, and we have dedicated time and resources to making sure their program can continue uninterrupted as planned.   

We are committed to running an exceptional program for our students, current and future, and we are going to take this time to plan for that. We expect to have the admissions cycle pick back up as normal, with the application process re-opening in fall of 2021 and applications due January 1, 2022.

This is disappointing news to us and prospective students alike. But like seemingly most decisions this year, the tougher option is the better one. If you are one of the many people signed up for our information session on November 12, know that we would like to remain in touch. You’re always welcome to reach out with questions to Director of Graduate Studies Prof. Vivek Bald (vbald@mit.edu) and Academic Administrator Shannon Larkin (slarkin@mit.edu), and we hope you can continue to join us for events online and eventually in-person.

Prof. Eric Klopfer
Head of Comparative Media Studies/Writing

Prof. Vivek Bald
Director of CMS Graduate Studies

About Eric Klopfer

Eric Klopfer is Professor and Director of the Scheller Teacher Education Program and The Education Arcade at MIT. He is also a co-faculty director for MIT’s J-WEL World Education Lab. His work uses a Design Based Research methodology to span the educational technology ecosystem, from design and development of new technologies to professional development and implementation. Much of Klopfer's research has focused on computer games and simulations for building understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Much of his research centers on the affordances of new technologies including AR, VR and mobile, and how those can be applied today. He is the co-author of the books Adventures in Modeling, The More We Know, and Resonant Games, as well as author of Augmented Learning.

His lab has produced software (from casual mobile games to the MMO The Radix Endeavor) and platforms (including StarLogo Nova and Taleblazer) used by millions of people, as well as online courses that have reached hundreds of thousands.

Klopfer is also the co-founder and past President of the non-profit Learning Games Network.