Electronic Arts M.F.A.

The M.F.A. program is designed for students pursuing artistic and academic careers emphasizing electronic media. Admission is highly competitive, and applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree and display a high level of ability in any artistic medium. The primary consideration in the selection process is the quality of an applicant’s creative work, and evidence of a commitment to development as an artist.

The M.F.A. degree requires 60 credit hours of coursework at Rensselaer, including up to 9 credit hours of master’s thesis. Completion of the degree generally takes two years. Independent creative work done under a faculty mentor’s supervision is encouraged. The degree emphasizes developing creative skills in digital video, computer music, imaging, animation, interactive media, performance, and installation art. The student’s work at Rensselaer culminates in a required thesis project, submission of written thesis document, and a thesis defense. The thesis project is a major artistic effort and may include a full-length performance, installation, or exhibition.

All students are expected to develop competency in using various media and in the theoretical and critical issues relevant to their fields of interest. Since the program is geared towards preparing students to participate actively in the art and music communities, practical aspects of production and presentation of creative work are emphasized.

Outcomes of the Graduate Curriculum
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:

• demonstrate core knowledge of new media theory with emphasis on 20th and 21st century authors, key artists, movements, works of contemporary music, visual art, and electronic media. 
• relate historical and theoretical learning to personal artistic practice.
• employ library resources and other research methods to investigate and analyze historical and theoretical trends, specific art works, and theories.
• demonstrate capacity for written and oral expression through regular exercise in response papers, discussion, group work, oral presentations, peer critique, and formal research papers
• demonstrate proficiency integrating technologies appropriate to a personal creative artistic practice.
• conceptualize, research, plan, and implement the development of large-scale interdisciplinary creative projects.
• create a professional artistic portfolio including writings, recordings, and documentation of performances and professional presentations.