The Digital Media and Design department offers two graduate degree programs: a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) and a Master of Arts (M.A.)*. The department also offers an online graduate certificate.
Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Digital Media Design
The program is a customized, three-year graduate program where students work closely with dedicated faculty in the development of their own independent creative practice. The Digital Media and Design Department operates at the intersection of fine art, technology, science, and the humanities. The program is designed for the graduate student with a demonstrated background in digital media/design, giving them the opportunity to intensely pursue advanced education and research in their specific area of expertise, or in an interdisciplinary capacity drawing from more than one area within the digital media space. As part of the School of Fine Arts, Digital Media and Design faculty and students have the opportunity to engage in collaborative projects with both industry partners and top researchers across the university. The M.F.A. in Digital Media Design is a terminal degree intended to provide educational and career-training within an experiential learning environment. The program is structured to develop an in-depth understanding of digital media aesthetics, technology, practice, procedure, design, implementation and/or research techniques employed in the areas of Digital Art, Digital Humanities/Social Sciences, STEM, Business, and Entertainment. In addition to the standard materials, applicants to the M.F.A. degree must submit a digital portfolio through Slideroom showcasing the applicant’s readiness to engage in advanced creative activity and research within one of the DMD specializations: (3D Animation, Digital Culture, Digital Film/Video Production, Digital Media Business Strategies, Game Design, Motion Design & Animation, or Web/Interactive Media Design) or in an interdisciplinary capacity across the DMD specializations.
M.F.A. Requirements: The Master of Fine Arts in Digital Media Design requires a three-year commitment of full-time resident graduate study. A minimum of 60 graduate level credits are required to graduate. Of these 60 credits, required courses are: DMD 5001, 5010, ARTH 5570, and 12 credits of DMD 5015 (taken a total of four times); 18 credits from 5000-level DMD common courses; and six credits, approved by the student’s major advisor, are taken outside the department in a coherent field of study; nine credits are taken in a combination of DMD 4081 or 5099; six credits of DMD 5075; and three credits of DMD 5900.
M.F.A Project Requirement: Students must follow the departmental M.F.A. Final Project Process and Procedures guidelines while developing their M.F.A. Final Project. This includes instructions for the formation of an M.F.A. Advisory Committee, submission of a project proposal, and development of a final project. The M.F.A. culminates in a major public exhibition that is supported by a written statement and exhibition documentation. The exhibition features the body of work resulting from the M.F.A. final project and courses taken in the final year of study. Each candidate then participates in an oral defense of the completed body of work and written statement with their advisory committee.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Digital Media Design
The M.A. program is designed to provide a personalized and customized graduate experience for the student with little digital media education or experience. A student will work with his/her advisor to develop their plan of study and their independent studies. The M.A. provides graduate students with the foundational digital media strategies, skills, and tools to pivot and pursue a career in digital media. The program is structured to develop a focused understanding of digital media aesthetics, practice, procedure, technology, design, implementation and/or research techniques within a targeted commercial or creative area including: Digital Arts, Business, Digital Humanities/Social Sciences, STEM, and Entertainment.
M.A. Requirements: The program of study for the M.A. requires one year of full-time resident graduate study. A minimum of 30 graduate level credits are required to graduate. Of these 30 credits, required courses are: DMD 5001 and 5010; 15 credits are selected from 5000-level DMD common courses; six credits are secondary field courses approved by the student’s major advisor and taken outside the department in a coherent field of study; three credits of either DMD 4081 or 5099.
*The M.A. program is not currently accepting direct applications.
The programs are offered by the School of Fine Arts.