Frequently Asked Questions

Electronic arts is an interdisciplinary collaborative program consisting of students and faculty from the art and design, communication, media, journalism and film, and music departments. The program’s faculty came together because they saw the symbiotic relationship between their disciplines and knew that students could greatly benefit from immersing themselves in an environment that pushed them to be their best and to hone a multitude of creative and technical skills.

The program is selective, but this shouldn't discourage you. Instead, this should let you know how serious we are about making sure your peers will be motivated students who are passionate about their pursuits.

Prior to applying to the program, you’ll complete two “foundation" courses and one “pre-admission core” course. These courses are not only intended to help you grasp the basic technical and creative skills required in each area of the program, but to allow you to begin building the portfolio that you will use to apply to the program.

A 3.0 GPA is required across these nine hours.

Foundation courses (choose two):

• MUS 216 (required for audio studies)
• ART 110 (required for computer animation studies and interactive new media)
• MED 365 (required for video studies)

Pre-admission core courses (choose one):

• ART 210 (required for interactive new media)
• ART 230 (required for computer animation studies)
• MED 361 (recommended for audio studies and video studies)

Your advisor can help you determine which course to take first. It’s important to begin working on completing your nine hours of foundation/pre-admission core classes as soon as possible.

During the candidacy review period you will submit a formal application for admission to the program, including a portfolio, essay, and resume. This process typically begins mid-semester, in the fall and spring (computer animation studies applications are only accepted in the spring). Students are notified in advance of applications becoming available, as well as the submission deadline. The application packet includes detailed instructions for submission.

Your portfolio is a major component of the program application. It should include two-to-three examples of your very best work. One piece must come from outside the option area to which you’re applying. Two of the pieces must come from a course within the program. Your selections should give the faculty a clear picture of your strengths, experience, and the type of work you want to pursue within the program. Audio studies students must include one piece from MUS 216. Computer animation students must include one piece from ART 230 or ART 330. Interactive new media students must include one piece from ART 110. Video studies students must include one piece from MED 365. Make sure you only include your best work, and that it's representative of the strengths you have to contribute to future projects.

If you apply to the program and are not admitted, the faculty will provide you with feedback on what steps you can take to improve your application. If you are an audio studies, interactive new media or video studies student, you will be able to re-apply the very next semester, provided you include new and improved work in your portfolio. Computer animation applications are typically only accepted in the spring semester, due to the number of courses that are required to be taken in consecutive order. However, in re-apply situations, computer animation students have made successful applications in the fall semester following a denial the previous spring.

The senior project is the culmination of your studies within the electronic arts program. As a process, it begins at the end of your junior year during ART 300 Fundamentals of Collaboration in the electronic arts. In this course you will form relationships with your fellow EA students and begin discussing possible projects for your final year in the program. By the end of the course, each student will have pitched an idea to the class. After deliberation, students begin self-selecting which projects to get behind. It should be noted that not everyone's project may get selected, but the goal is that if yours does not receive the backing, then you will surely have found another project to involve yourself in.

Beginning in the summer after your junior year, you will be communicating and collaborating with your self-selected group to refine the central goals and themes of the project. Once classes begin in the fall of your senior year, your group should have clear focus as to how to begin production. You will work on this senior project for both semesters of your final year, with the experience culminating at the electronic arts showcase where you will share your work with a typically packed auditorium in the Plaster Student Union. Additionally, we have in place support for students to be able to share their work nationally and internationally in festivals and competitions.