The Electronic Media Arts Design program of the University of Denver produces self motivated artists with strengths in creative vision, design, concept development, critical thinking and a commitment to communicating visual messages capable of reshaping the world through innovative artistic design. The MFA is the preferred teaching credential for higher education.

The eMAD graduate program fuses the practical and theoretical aspects of electronic Media Arts Design. It emphasizes the production of electronic and visual language systems that consciously integrate human factors, critical thought, electronic media, and aesthetic concerns. Within this context, the program provides an opportunity for research and further development of creativity, knowledge and skills in electronic media art. It also instigates evaluation within the context of art and design in its concepts and applications. eMAD provides motivated and dedicated individuals the opportunity to work closely with professionally active faculty members committed to mentoring students in order to further develop the students' talents and foster the ability of students to become leaders in the field of electronic media arts. Request Information.

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The Program

Course Work

Substitution Policy

The School of Art and Art History will allow up to a total of 12 credit hours of pre-approved substitute graduate DU classes, if those classes are needed to develop the student's thesis project. Approval must be obtained in writing from the Graduate MFA advisor and a copy placed in the student's file.

MFA Project Proposal

By the end of the first year, the graduate candidate submits a proposal for review by the graduate committee of the student's choice. This proposal is then further developed with increased focus throughout the remainder of their residency. This document should be at least 6 pages in length and describe the overall concept of the project. Included in the proposal is a time line, expected outcomes, and a bibliography that demonstrates an investigation into the history, technique, cultural and critical perspectives evolving from the proposed subject matter. Students must allow a two week turn around time for comments on their proposal.

Advancement to Candidacy Review

A review by the graduate committee to determine progress toward advancement to candidacy. Each student must keep track of his/her credits. The beginning of the winter quarter, when the student has reached 60 credits he/she must notify the Graduate Director or office staff of his/her plans to graduate in the spring. Upon recommendation of the graduate committee and completion of (two Graduate Critique classes) the office will file the paperwork necessary to advance the student to candidacy for the Master's degree. The student will then need to pick up an Application for Graduation from the School of Art and Art History office.

Exhibition of the MFA project

A public exhibition of the thesis project occurs during the quarter for graduation . In the spring of the student's second year, the student, after gaining approval from one of the eMAD faculty members who will act as the primary advisor, registers for the 12 credit hours of Thesis Project and/ or Thesis. The exhibition maybe mounted in Gallery 023 or the Victoria H. Myhren Gallery of the School of Art and Art History. Students desiring these venues must apply for an exhibition slot early. A student may locate a different venue outside of the School of Art and Art history at the discretion of the thesis committee. Certain exhibitions may require an alternate venue to further support the thesis exploration, especially works that are linear in scope such as film, video, performance, etc.

Written Thesis

The thesis project is accompanied by a written documentation of the MFA project. It must illustrate the student's ability to contextualize their body of work in relationship to the following perspectives: personal, historical, technical, ethical, cultural and critical. The written portion may take on the traditional form of a paper or a less traditional, yet appropriate and pre-approved mode such as a website or CD-Rom. This written thesis should be at least 15 pages. This is approved by the graduate committee.

Oral Examination

A final critique and oral examination by the graduate committee occurs in the Spring quarter. Two to three days are set aside to accommodate the defense of graduate students' theses once completed. Each defense is one hour long. Students are given the specific time and location to present their thesis work.