Program Information

The Master of Arts in Digital Arts & Sciences (DAS) degree seeks to allow students from diverse academic backgrounds the opportunity to develop fluency in the technologies, design practices and collaborative interdisciplinary teamwork increasingly required by the media, communications and entertainment industries. Graduates holding the M.A. in DAS degree would typically seek employment in the creative services sector, applying digital techniques and technologies in a variety of professions. Opportunities range from traditional cinema to interactive games; from broadcast media to online international networks to emergent industries.

Although this is a thesis degree, students usually produce a creative project in lieu of thesis. Students should see the graduate coordinator for the requirements for the creative project, which are also provided in the DAS Student Handbook.

Students seeking admission are expected to have an undergraduate background including:

• A degree in one of the fine arts or liberal arts
• A body of work that demonstrates accomplishment in the intended area
• A body of work that can clearly be enhanced with skills to be acquired in the DAS program.

Deficiencies may be corrected before beginning graduate study. In addition to appropriate academic credentials and prior scholastic achievement, admission into the program requires a well-constructed Statement of Purpose and media-related support material (i.e. samples of design, programming, video, web, writing, etc.) that demonstrates both prior interest and/or achievement in New Media/Digital Arts & Sciences.

Degrees Offered with a Major in Digital Arts and Sciences

• Master of Arts

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Digital Worlds Departmental Courses

College of the Arts Courses

Digital arts and sciences (MA)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Explains the sociotechnical academic domain of Digital Arts & Sciences (DAS), and describes the transdisciplinary foundations of DAS design, inquiry and expression   

SLO 2     Knowledge        
Identifies the principles involved in the creation of interactive digital media artifacts

SLO 3     Skills     
Solves problems and integrates systems thinking skills necessary to develop advanced media systems

SLO 4     Skills     
Collaborates in cross-functional design and development teams

SLO 5     Professional Behavior   
Exhibits the professional behaviors required in the field

Digital arts and sciences (MS)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Students identify, formulate, and solve computer science and engineering problems.

SLO 2     Knowledge        
Students can critically read computer science and engineering literature.

SLO 3     Skills     
Students use the techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computer science and engineering practice at an advanced level.

SLO 4     Professional Behavior   
an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.

SLO 5     Professional Behavior   
Students can communicate effectively.