Film and Digital Media, M.A.
The goal of the MA in Film and Digital Media program is to train students in the creation and production of film, audio, video and new communication technologies and their impact on culture and individuals.
Admission
The majority of students begin the program in the fall when teaching assistantships and scholarships are competitively awarded. To be considered for funding, applications should be received on or before February 1. The final application deadline for fall enrollment is May 1. Occasionally, students begin the program in the spring. The application deadline for spring enrollment is October 1. Applications for admission are completed online through the Graduate School and should include: a personal statement, writing sample, production portfolio, three letters of recommendation, and official transcripts of all college/university work. International students are required to submit either TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores unless they have received a degree from a U.S. accredited institution of higher education.
Degree Path Options
There are three paths or options, a thesis option and two non-thesis options (internship or project), to completing the MA in Film and Digital Media:
- Thesis
Students completing a scholarly thesis will craft an original research project that demonstrates abilities to synthesize research literature, gather and analyze original data or texts, and make explanatory arguments for the findings and interpretations of that analysis. Students who write a scholarly thesis may aspire to doctoral studies or other research-oriented careers. Alternatively, students may complete a production thesis which entails crafting an original creative work (e.g., film). Successful completion of this requirement should demonstrate familiarity with the aesthetic tradition in which the project is based as well as technical competence in and creative use of the medium. An extensive written analysis of the creative work is also required. Students anticipating a career in film, television, interactive multimedia production, technological research and development, and/or a media management career should consider a production thesis. Successful completion of the thesis, scholarly or production, requires an oral examination where students present their work for review and approval by a faculty committee. - Professional Project
The nature of professional projects vary based on students goals and interests, but each project must include a scholarly writing component and involve submission to an external outlet or audience (outside the university) for consumption or use – for example, a conference or festival. Students who pursue this option undergo an oral exam where they present their work for review and approval by a faculty committee. - Internship
The internship requires securing and successfully completing an approved professional media-related internship and preparing an extensive final report. This option is intended for students seeking careers that are not academic or research-oriented in nature and does not require an oral exam process with a faculty committee.
Curriculum
Hour and course requirements vary based on the degree path option:
Thesis Option Degree Plan
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework | ||
| FDM 5V99 | Thesis | 6 |
| FDM 5376 | Contemporary Film Theory | 3 |
| Additional 5000-level FDM courses 1 | 12 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select nine semester hours from the following: | 9 | |
Up to 9 hours of 4000-level FDM courses (approved for graduate credit; not previously taken for BA credit) | ||
| Graduate Production Workshop (up to 6 hours) | ||
| Problems in Film and Digital Media (up to 6 hours) | ||
| Internship in Film & Digital Media (up to 3 hours) | ||
Up to 3 hours of 5000-level coursework outside of FDM | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Excluding FDM 5V35 Problems in Film and Digital Media
Non-Thesis Option Degree Plan
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework | ||
| FDM 5V90 | Professional Paper or Project in Film & Digital Media | 3 |
| or FDM 5303 | Internship in Film & Digital Media | |
| FDM 5376 | Contemporary Film Theory | 3 |
| Additional 5000-level FDM courses 1 | 12 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 18 semester hours from the following: | 18 | |
Up to 9 hours of 4000-level FDM courses (approved for graduate credit; not previously taken for BA credit) | ||
| Graduate Production Workshop (up to 6 hours) | ||
| Problems in Film and Digital Media (up to 6 hours) | ||
| Internship in Film & Digital Media (Professional Project option only - up to 3 hours) | ||
Up to 3 hours of 5000-level coursework outside of FDM | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Excluding FDM 5V35 Problems in Film and Digital Media