Computer Science (Media Arts and Sciences), PhD
Are you both an artist and an engineer at heart? You can develop these aspects simultaneously and become an imaginative, knowledgeable, skilled and responsible creative expert in media development, ready to apply yourself in a variety of fields and professions.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
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.
Degree description
In the Doctor of Philosophy program in computer science with a concentration in media arts and sciences, you research the integration of the human physical experience with computation and digital media. You are able to produce experiential media systems and models that assist the disadvantaged, empower creativity, enhance scientific discovery, evolve human ability, facilitate learning and improve quality of life. Within these application areas, you can explore experiential construction, interaction and feedback, knowledge creation, sensing, perception and modeling. You specialize in transdisciplinary media development.
The program's purpose is to train hybrid engineering-arts students who get their inspiration from the arts and their methodology from computer science and engineering. More information about the media arts and sciences concentration can be found on The Game School website.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core Areas (9 credit hours) Depth (3 credit hours) Concentration (9 credit hours) Research (18 credit hours) Electives (33 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Twelve credit hours of CSE 792 Research and six credit hours of AME 792 are required, and up to 51 credit hours are allowed on the plan of study. Students with more than 18 research credit hours add these credit hours to their electives and additional research. Electives include: All students enrolled in the PhD in Computer Science (Media Arts and Sciences) program must complete a supervised practical training experience that allows them to apply specific knowledge, research methods, and/or professional competencies in a professional setting. This experience is an integral component of the dissertation curriculum, and successful completion is required to satisfy the dissertation requirements and earn the degree. When approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree. A maximum of three credit hours of 400-level coursework may be applied to the plan of study.
applications (3)
foundations (3)
systems (3)
three additional credit hours in one core area (3)
Select three courses from the following list:
AME 511 Advanced Interactive Sound (3)
AME 515 Machine Vision and Pattern Recognition (3)
AME 520 Movement and Computing (3)
AME 532 Creating Interactive Media (3)
AME 535 Mobile Development (3)
AME 570 Programming for Social and Interactive Media (3)
AME 792 Research (6)
CSE 792 Research (12)
AME 799 Dissertation (6)
CSE 799 Dissertation (6)
Courses that are used to satisfy the core area requirement cannot be used to satisfy electives or other requirements. A grade of "B" or higher is required for core courses.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering or a closely related area. Most applicants should have earned a master's degree, but exceptional undergraduate applicants may be admitted directly to the doctoral program. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The statement of purpose must fulfill any requirements defined by the Graduate College and address the transdisciplinary nature of the media arts and sciences program. Applicants should explain in a concise and persuasive manner how their educational, professional and personal experiences inform their research and creative interests, writing on any aspect of their background that supports candidacy to the program. Further information on how this statement can be expanded upon by students interested in a research assistantship or an Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship within media arts and sciences is available from the department. Students should submit a current curriculum vitae with the statement of purpose. GRE scores are optional. Students assigned any deficiency coursework upon admission must complete those classes with a grade of "C" (scale is 4.00 = "A") or higher within two semesters of admission to the program. Deficiency courses commonly taken include: CSE 230 Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming The applicant's undergraduate GPA and depth of preparation in computer science and engineering are the primary factors affecting admission.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
CSE 310 Data Structures and Algorithms
CSE 330 Operating Systems
CSE 340 Principles of Programming Languages or CSE 355 Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/31 | Priority* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 08/01 | Priority* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
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 estimateCareer opportunities
Graduates are able to analyze, understand and apply key theories and algorithms used in the field of computer science. They can also generate and evaluate new theories, algorithms and software modules that can advance the field of computer science.
Career examples include:
- arts, media and engineering professor or researcher
- computer science professor or researcher
- data scientist or engineer
- machine learning, AI or computer vision engineer or scientist
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.
Computer Science and Engineering Program
|
CTRPT 105
SCAI.Grad.Admission@asu.edu
480-965-3199
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.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
