Program: Media Arts Production MFA - University at Buffalo

Apr 09, 2025

WORKING 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

The Department of Media Study (DMS) is one of the country’s leading programs in experimental and independent media. Our focus area is experimental and radical uses of media in the arts, and in society at large. DMS is renowned for its contributions to experimental film, video and sound art, theory and practice. The department is led by an award winning faculty with expertise in experimental film, video, sound, robotics, social media, games, interactive fiction, documentary practices, digital poetics and critical spatial practices. Our objective is to prepare students to shape the next generation of critical and experimental media in art, and society.

Requirements

Required Seminars (9 credits)

DMS 531SEM - Graduate Media Research Praxis Credits: 3
DMS 532SEM - Graduate Seminar 2 Credits: 1 - 4
DMS 570SEM - Media Theory Credits: 3

Studio Production (21 credits)

Select 7 from:

DMS 501SEM - Advanced Cinematography Credits: 3
DMS 503SEM - Adv Video Production Credits: 4
DMS 504SEM - Advanced Documentary Production Credits: 3
DMS 505SEM - Ethnographic Media Credits: 3
DMS 510SLB - Advanced Documentary Sem Credits: 4
DMS 515LEC - Special Topics Credits: 3
DMS 516LEC - Special Topics Credits: 3
DMS 535SEM - Scriptwriting: All Media Credits: 4
DMS 536SEM - Directing Narratives Credits: 3
DMS 547SEM - Sound Design Credits: 3
DMS 550LEC - Physical Computing Credits: 3
DMS 551LEC - Networked Media Credits: 3
DMS 562SEM - Game Design Credits: 3
DMS 580SEM - Filmmaking Fundamentals Credits: 4

Media History, Theory & Interpretation (9 credits)

Select 4 from:

DMS 505SEM - Ethnographic Media Credits: 3 (if not previously used toward the Studio Production Core)
DMS 512SEM - Film and Media Theory Credits: 4
DMS 513SEM - The Filmic Text: Color and the Moving Image Credits: 4
DMS 517LEC - Special Topics Credits: 3
DMS 545SEM - Gender and Technology Credits: 3
DMS 627TUT - Supervised Reading Credits: 1 - 4

Directed Electives (15 credits)

Select 5.

UB graduate course that supports thesis research with commitee approval with a minimum of 3 courses from outside the DMS department.

Thesis and Media Project (6 credits)

DMS 598TUT - Project Supervision Credits: 1 - 4
DMS 700TUT - Thesis Guidance Credits: 1 - 4

Total Credit Hours: 60

3.0 Degree GPA required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Demonstrate ability to work productively as an artist in a university environment, as well as on the local, national, and international stage.

2) Demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the field, including the ability to apply associated technologies to novel and emerging issues, and the ability to apply theoretical concepts in the study of media to one’s own research and artistic work in, e.g., artists’ statements, exhibition programs, etc.

3) Demonstrate effective skills in critical research and writing.

4) Production of a significant media arts project demonstrating the highest level of expertise in the field.

5) Demonstrate sustained artistic productivity in performances/exhibitions, including participation in professional organizations locally, nationally, and internationally via invited and peer-reviewed artistic production locally, nationally and internationally at related conferences and festivals.

6) Demonstrate broad professional foundations through teaching, internships, fellowships, and grant applications.

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).