Students sometimes arrive knowing they want to create something.
Design, maybe. Or code.
Perhaps they are curious about both, but they thought they had to choose when it came time to select a major. Or, perhaps, they realized that to stay competitive in a tech-driven world, they needed skills they never thought they would learn.
And that's when they first learn about Emerging Media and Technology.
What Is EMAT, actually?
EMAT isn't computer science. It's not design school.
Rather, it's both—and more.
EMAT combines design thinking, technology, creative problem-solving, and critical analysis to prepare students for careers at the intersection of how technology works and how people use it.
Whether through an Emerging Media and Technology degree (coding, design, user experience, data visualization) or a User Experience Design degree (graphic design meets technological literacy), EMAT trains students to build products and experiences that work and matter.
"Think of every app you use, every website you navigate. There's design and technology behind it," said Michael Beam, Ph.D., director of the School of Emerging Media and Technology.
And here's the kicker: user experience design is projected to grow 7% by 2034—much faster than average—with a median salary around $98,000. Kent State is the first and only public university in Ohio offering a bachelor's degree in UX design.
The Switcher Who Found Balance
Brooke Moncol '25 started as a computer science major. After a year, she hit a wall. "It's very intense," she recalls. "I was struggling." She discovered EMAT—which offered something CS didn't: the freedom to blend code with creativity.
"I worked with Python, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, but also took classes unrelated to coding," Brooke explains. "I was able to take minors in user experience, web design and marketing. All of those helped me get my job today."
Today, Brooke works as a marketing specialist at a Cleveland tech company, designing user experiences for nonprofits. She didn't have to choose between being technical and creative. EMAT let her be both.
What EMAT students learn is that good UX design isn't about what looks pretty—it's about what works. Companies like Goodyear, Progressive Insurance, and Safelite actively recruit graduates who understand this balance.
The Career-Changer Who Stayed Relevant
Lara Kilchenmann came to Kent State with a linguistics and business degree from Switzerland, no coding background, and a clear goal: break into digital marketing. But she quickly realized the field was changing. To compete, she needed technical skills.
"I do think that teaching up your skills is really important nowadays," Lara says of her decision to pursue EMAT's master's degree. "I felt like I could be more myself—less pressure, but just as much opportunity."
Working as a graduate assistant while studying, Lara built emails, surveys, and event pages for the university. Her internship at a healthcare nonprofit expanded her role: she's managing marketing campaigns, analyzing competitor strategies, and coordinating digital strategy. Her linguistics background combined with technical fluency made her invaluable. EMAT didn't teach her marketing—it gave her the tech foundation to excel at it.
The Professional Who Saw the Future
Krishna Rathore had four years of professional experience when she watched her mother use ChatGPT. The moment hit hard: everything is about to change.
"I realized that the world of technology is going to change really drastically, and I needed to be on top of it," Krishna recalls. She couldn't ignore it anymore. Traditional skills felt vulnerable. She needed adaptability.
EMAT's master's program stood out because it wasn't pure computer science. It was interdisciplinary—technology paired with creative problem-solving, ethics, and human-centered design. Krishna could explore what she loved about emerging tech without getting locked into a narrow path. Today, she's working in innovation labs, developing business ideas, and building skills across multiple domains.
"Push yourself beyond the class," she advises prospective students. "Do something that no one else is doing."
Why Companies Can't Find Enough Graduates
EMAT combines design, technology, creative applications, and critical thinking in ways traditional programs don't. Students work on real projects and collaborate across disciplines.
They will graduate with portfolios and experience, not just a degree.
Here's what's happening in the real world: every company scrambles to hire people who understand both design and technology," Beam said. "Good UX design increases conversions by up to 400 percent. That's a competitive advantage.
'But most programs train specialists: coders who don't think about users, or designers who don't understand what's technically possible. EMAT trains people who speak both languages."
Brooke needed balance. Lara needed relevance. Krishna needed adaptability.
They didn't come to Kent State searching for EMAT. They found it because it solved problems they didn't know existed.