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Media Arts

Program Description

The three-year graduate program in the School of Media Arts offers an M.F.A. degree with the option of specializing in either Digital Filmmaking or Integrated Digital Media.

The Digital Filmmaking curriculum offers a comprehensive experience in the areas of pre-production, production and post-production with specific course offerings in screenwriting, directing and editing. A spacious and secure graduate lab serves as a comprehensive post-production space in order to provide students with the kind of professional environment they need to focus on their work.

The Integrated Digital Media curriculum is centered on the artistic application of digital technology. It provides students with extensive and flexible artistic and research opportunities that will enable them to successfully compete in the 21st century. Artistic areas include motion design, animation, compositing, sound design and cinematography, and research areas include digital technology and interactive digital media. 

The faculty is especially committed to the development of the unique personal voice of each student accepted into the program, as well as the development of their individual abilities of personal and aesthetic expression. Students are given strong creativity, and through ongoing assessment, are encouraged to find an efficient yet artistic method that works best for them.

Program Degree Offered
Fine Arts (Media Arts Option) M.F.A.

Degree Offered


M.F.A. Fine Arts


Option: Media Arts

Requirements
72 credit hours, divided between core and elective classes, are required for the degree. The student's portfolio of projects is assessed at the end of each semester and a Final Portfolio is submitted as a professional project for completion of the degree.

Admissions


1. Application Materials and Deadline

  • Fall - Priority will be given to complete application packets postmarked by March 31. Complete application packets received after this date will be considered on a space available basis.
  • Spring - Effective Spring 2013, applications postmarked by January 1 will be considered for Spring admission.

Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are in the Applying for Admission section on this web site.

In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, the Media Arts Program also requires:

Digital Filmmaking

  • Letter of Application/Cover Letter, including reasons for applying to the program.
  • Resume
  • Three letters of recommendation (We prefer electronic submission through the Admission Application. If the electronic method is used there is no need to send paper copies to the department.)
  • Your portfolio of:
  • A video of you telling us, however you wish to do it, what interests you in the program, why you want to join, what life has in store for you after you graduate, etc. Keep this to no more than 5 minutes.
  • A story from your life (humorous, serious, enlightening, mysterious). If you're in a bind, tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think of your mother or father. This can be written or on the video.
  • A written story of no more than two typewritten pages, dealing with a moment of crisis. This can be from your life or fictional. Make sure it has a beginning, middle and an end. Try to make the writing as visually connected as possible.
  • Send examples (not your entire body of work) of whatever skills or art forms you might be involved in. If you paint, send a couple of photos of some work, it you write, send your latest play, screenplay, etc.
  • Whatever your skill level, whatever the medium, send a self-portrait.

Integrated Digital Media

  • Letter of Application/Cover Letter, including reasons for applying to the program.
  • Resume
  • Portfolio
  • Three letters of recommendation (We prefer electronic submission through the Admission Application. If the electronic method is used there is no need to send paper copies to the department.)

    2. Program Requirements for Admission

    Computers

    Students accepted into the Integrated Digital Media M.F.A. program in Media Arts are expected to be self-contained. They will be responsible for their own laptop computers. For laptop specs, go to http://www.umt.edu/mediaarts/sites/default/files/images/gallery_images/Laptop_Specs.jpg.

    Software

    Students will also be responsible for their own software. University of Montana students can purchase a variety of packages at the University Bookstore for a considerable discount.

    GRE

    • The Media Arts program accepts GRE scores with a test date that is within the past five years OR verifiable GRE scores if the test date is over five years old.

    3. Assistantship Application

    Assistantship monies are available and are allocated on a case by case basis. For more information contact Rick Hughes at (406) 243-4515 or richard.hughes@umontana.edu.

    4. International Students

    Financial Assistance


    For additional information about financial assistance, see the Financial Information section on this web site.

    Media Arts


     
    Department website

    Campus Location
    McGill Hall, Room 224

    Federal Express Delivery - Street Address
    McGill 224
    32 Campus Drive #4608
    Missoula, MT 59812-4608

    (406) 243-4540
    Fax: (406) 243-4544
    MediaArts@umontana.edu

    Head, Graduate Program - Digital Filmmaking
    Michael R. Murphy

    Head, Graduate Program-Integrated Digital Media
    Rick Hughes


     Updated 12/12