MFA in Media Art: Program Structure

• 64 credit hours including:
  • Seven required courses
  • Optional internship
  • Required thesis project
  • Annual portfolio review
  • Production workshop and Colloquium
• Three years to complete
• Full-time enrollment (full-time enrollment is typically 8 or 12 credits per semester).
• Classes generally meet in the day or evening
• Fall admission only 
• Focus in audio, documentary video, fictional narrative video, new media, television production, or media studies

Course Schedule

Semester 1  (12 credits)
Narrative Studies
Foundations of Image and Sound Production
Graduate Writing the Short Subject, or
Graduate Writing for Interactive Media
MFA colloquium (no credit)

Semester 2  (12 credits)
Theories of Integrated Media
2nd- level production course
Production or Studies Elective (see course listings)
MFA colloquium (no credit)
MFA Portfolio Review (no credit)

Semester 3 (12 credits)
MFA Production Workshop
3rd- level production course or production elective
Business of Modern Media
MFA colloquium (no credit)

Semester 4 (12 credits)
MFA Production Workshop
Production elective or 3rd- level production course
Production or Studies Elective (see course listings)
MFA colloquium (no credit)
MFA Portfolio Review (no credit)

Semester 5 (8-12 credits)
MFA Production Workshop
MFA Thesis Project (4 credits)
Internship or Elective
MFA colloquium (no credit)

Semester 6 (4-8 credits)
MFA Thesis Project (4 credits)
Internship or Elective
MFA colloquium (no credit)

During summers, students are encouraged to continue their professional development through further work on their own creative projects, work for hire, or internships.  The Department assists students in locating summer internships and job opportunities in media production.  Access to Emerson facilities and equipment is available by enrolling for one credit of Continuing Student Status. Limited coursework is offered during the summer as well, allowing students to decrease their course load during a regular academic semester.

The MFA Thesis Project (8 credits)

Each student presents a project proposal to be reviewed and approved by the Faculty MFA Committee by the end of the fourth semester. Each student chooses a Thesis Project Committee in consultation with the Graduate Program Director which is composed of at least three faculty. Students are also required to produce a written Thesis Project Dossier, which is subject to approval. Upon completing the thesis project and dossier, the student participates in a faculty review (analogous to a dissertation defense) to determine if the student’s work meets the standards originally set forth in the student’s proposal. Upon final completion of the thesis project, a public screening of MFA works for the year is held, to serve as a celebration of the student's achievements.

Portfolio Review

At the end of each year in the program, each student participates in a formal portfolio review.  Students present completed works and/or works in progress.  The members of the Portfolio Review Committee determine each student’s suitability for continuance.