Media Arts and Sciences (Design), BA
This interdisciplinary concentration lets you specialize in a design practice of your choice. You learn not just the how of tech, but also the why, using your artistic vision and a human-centric perspective to shape a vibrant digital future.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Media Arts and Sciences (Design) degree description
The GAME School educates the next generation of learners, empowering you with technofluency --- its development, application and implications.
In the Bachelor of Arts program in media arts and sciences with a concentration in design, you gain the technical skills to develop computational media, and the cultural skills to apply them meaningfully. You immerse yourself in hands-on projects; explore the intertwined evolution of culture, society and tech; and create computational media systems with sound, video, objects, space and immersive media. This fusion of arts, humanities and engineering foundations enables you not only to craft innovative digital media but also to think critically about how technology and society are coproductive. The program's overarching goal is to develop you to be a socially conscious global citizen who is ready to navigate and shape a more connected and creative digital world.
The concentration program in design is offered in partnership with The Design School in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. The concentration enables you to specialize in hybrid (physical and digital) product and space design. You complement your knowledge of media arts and sciences with courses focused on understanding the core principles of design. Options from many design disciplines are offered, including graphic design, architecture and landscape architecture, interior design and industrial design.
Why specialize in media arts and sciences (design) at ASU?
This concentration offers a flexible curriculum that allows you to study a wide range of interests across technology, culture, art and science. You work alongside collaborators with different expertise, transforming your ideas into reality through multidisciplinary projects that prepare you for diverse career opportunities.
You gain the technical foundation to craft digital media and the critical thinking skills to understand how technology and society shape each other. This approach to liberal arts for the 21st century expands your job prospects while you develop your creative practice. You develop technical skills to create computational media and gain cultural knowledge to apply them meaningfully through hands-on projects that blend sound, video, objects, space and immersive media.
Additional details
The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts gives you access to courses across multiple design disciplines, including architecture, landscape architecture and industrial design. You complement your media arts and sciences knowledge with core design principles, developing as both an artist and a technologist.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| AME 111 Introduction to Digital Culture |
| AME 130 Prototyping Dreams |
| AME 230 Programming for the Media Arts |
| AME 485 Media Arts and Sciences Capstone I |
| AME 486 Media Arts and Sciences Capstone II |
| AME 112 Computational Thinking for Media Arts |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Create digital media systems, using a cross-disciplinary lens of research and theories from humanities, arts, and sciences through a final capstone project.
- Critique digital media systems through a multi-disciplinary framework, including the critical exploration of media arts applications and knowledge of principles of communication and generation of knowledge.
- Integrate knowledge from design principles and practices into participatory media arts applications.
Create digital media systems, using a cross-disciplinary lens of research and theories from humanities, arts, and sciences through a final capstone project.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
An ASU student who would like to change their major to this program and would be new to this major must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. They must maintain this GPA to remain in good standing and to graduate.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Exploring programs around the world furthers students' ability to apply their studies to a global context. With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, media arts and sciences students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships around the world, increasing their professional network.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Director | 4.2% | $114,850 | Learn more |
| Audio-Visual Technician | 3.9% | $58,100 | Learn more |
| Corporate Web Developer | 5.1% | $116,580 | Learn more |
| Graphic Designer | -1.7% | $62,960 | Learn more |
| IT Project Manager | 5.1% | $116,580 | Learn more |
| Industrial Designer | 2.4% | $83,910 | Learn more |
| Production Assistant | 3.9% | $73,620 | Learn more |
| Video Game Designer | 6.0% | $104,000 | Learn more |
| Web Designer | 6.0% | $104,000 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this media arts and sciences (design) concentration prepares you for
Equipped with skills and sound judgment, graduates work in cultural communication, marketing, design, social media, health, education, entertainment and creative arts, and all areas in which culture is shaped by technology and computational media. All graduates have learned techniques to make an impact and communicate using contemporary computational media --- a vital power in today's world. Some go on to invent fresh techniques.
Graduates have a wide array of career opportunities in new media involving the fields of:
- communications (Cisco, Google, Facebook)
- computing (Apple, Microsoft)
- gaming and entertainment (Industrial Light & Magic, Electronic Arts, Pixar)
- media arts (engineering multimedia shows, video and sound production)
The media arts and sciences curriculum also prepares students for roles in the development of modern media systems that address complex socio-technical problems, such as:
- diagnostic, monitoring and assistive cyber-physical tools and systems that can be used by health care providers
- new systems for collaborative, participatory content creation and sharing
- social networking and reflection tools for promoting sustainability
- systems for interactive, adaptive learning and computational assessment in educational organizations
Graduates of the program who are interested in continuing their higher education are well prepared to apply for admission to graduate programs through The GAME School at ASU and to other top interdisciplinary new media programs in the nation.
Media arts and sciences alumni have received job opportunities in:
- audio and video
- engineering
- graphic design
- illustration
- iOS development
- journalism
- programming
- software engineering
- special effects
- 3D modeling and fabrication
- visual media
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
The GAME School
|
STAUF-B 217
TheGameSchool@asu.edu
480-965-9432
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
