Digital Culture, MA
Are you interested in the computational arts and the intersection of multiple artistic and experiential disciplines? In this innovative program, you'll craft a distinct learning experience based on your background and interests, led by globally recognized artists, designers and engineers.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Effective Spring 2027, ASU is no longer accepting new students to this program. Interested students should apply to the Media Arts and Sciences, MS program.
Degree description
If you are a practitioner of design and the arts, have an interest in engaging in scholarly knowledge creation at the intersection of computational arts and sciences, and seek to enhance your practice through expanded engagement with interactive and embodied media theory and design, the Master of Arts program in digital culture is for you. As an artist and desiger, you can explore new avenues for real-time media creation that aim to go beyond current paradigms.
The GAME School educates the next generation of learners, empowering you with technofluency --- its development, application and implications --- and prepares you to be a socially aware, critically thinking global citizen who strives to bring about positive change in a society that'll be increasingly shaped by new technologies. Its mission is to improve and facilitate learning, creativity and communication; it does this through the integration of human physical experience and computational and digital media practice-based methods.
You can explore:
- critical media theory --- philosophical technologies, speculative design
- engineering --- social and embedded design, system engineering
- experiential media --- interaction design, responsive environments
- machine learning --- artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality
- science --- mediated rehabilitation, public participation in science
- sensory --- food design and sensory science, somatic and movement studies
- sound design --- digital composition and performance, acoustic ecology
- sustainability --- sustainability and critical climate studies, urban climate infrastructure
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:
33 credit hours including the required applied project course (AME 593)
Required Core (12 credit hours) Electives or Research (18 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
AME 520 Movement and Computing (3)
AME 530 Philosophy of Media Technology (3)
AME 531 Experimental Media Philosophy (3)
AME 532 Creating Interactive Media (3)
AME 593 Applied Project (3)
Students should check with the academic unit regarding appropriate electives coursework.
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 Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the following areas from a regionally accredited institution: arts, humanities, design, media studies, computer science, engineering or a closely related field. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information A portfolio is required; however, because of the transdisciplinary nature of the program, submissions will vary and depend on the background of each prospective student. Applicants from a wide variety of disciplines are expected to be interested in the program. Key works are requested from applicants to illustrate the types of skills they wish to develop in the program. Examples include games they have designed and programmed, interactive installations and performances (submitted as video), websites they have created or programmed, music they have composed digitally, or films they have made. The statement should explain, in a concise and persuasive manner, how the student's educational, professional and personal experiences inform their research and creative interests, and it should elaborate on any aspect of their background that supports their candidacy for admission to The GAME School.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 03/07 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
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 go on to careers in areas such as:
- acoustics research
- communications
- graphic design
- marketing
- mobile development
- sound design
- 3D modeling
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
ameed@asu.edu
480-965-9438
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.
