Media Arts and Sciences, PhD
Digital Media, EXPERIENTIAL, Embodied Media, Media Arts, approved for STEM-OPT extension, computing, interactive media
Are you a practitioner interested in engaging innovative technology and media while also using the practices of the humanities, global thinking and computational arts? You can tailor coursework to your specific interests with courses from a variety of disciplines, such as sound design, critical media theory, experiential media and computer science.
The Doctor of Philosophy program in media arts and sciences is housed in the transdisciplinary School of Arts, Media and Engineering.
The school educates the next generation of learners and empowers them with technofluency --- its development, application and implications. Students are prepared to be socially aware, critically thinking global citizens who strive to bring about positive change in a society that is increasingly shaped by new technologies.
Doctoral students in this program are provided distinct opportunities to engage in knowledge creation at the intersection of computational arts and sciences, using the most advanced practice-based and theoretical methods. The opportunity for active participation in transdisciplinary research teams enables students to gain valuable experience as agents of both their own research and their own education; this arrangement also fosters opportunities for collaborative and embedded research.
At the core of the program is a commitment to designing curriculum tailored to each student-researcher in conjunction with the diverse faculty, labs and centers. This approach enables students to facilitate the development of innovative, experiential media systems that can respond to the world's most pressing challenges. Students can pursue research at the intersection of any of these fields, among others:
- artificial intelligence, system engineering and machine learning
- auditory culture, digital composition and performance
- critical media theory and philosophical technologies
- food design and sensory science
- interaction design, experiential media and responsive environments
- mediated rehabilitation, and somatic and movement studies
- public participation in science
- social and embedded design
- sustainability and critical climate studies
- VR and AR
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required core (18 credits)
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 533 Design for Media Arts (3)
AME 534 Machine Learning for Media Arts (3)
Research (33 credit hours)
AME 792 Research (33)
Restricted Electives (12 credit hours)
Electives (9 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (12 credit hours)
AME 799 Dissertation
Additional Curriculum Information
It is expected that students are research-active throughout their program, taking at least three research credit hours per semester.
For restricted electives, students must choose graduate-level AME or MDC courses, with approval from the student's advisor. Electives can be any graduate-level courses offered at ASU. The selection of courses relates to the student's research interests and requires the approval of the student's advisor.
When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree in a related field to be used for this degree.
A student can register for dissertation credits only after they have passed the comprehensive examination.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in arts, humanities, design, media studies, computer science, engineering or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
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:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- curriculum vitae
- statement of purpose
- three letters of recommendation
- portfolio of supporting material
- writing sample
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The statement of purpose should explain in a concise and persuasive manner how the student's educational, professional and personal experiences inform their research and creative interests, and the student should elaborate on any aspect of their background that supports candidacy to the School of Arts, Media and Engineering program.
Each applicant must demonstrate entry-level competencies. This can be demonstrated primarily through a portfolio, which may include previously developed media products, projects or publications that demonstrate an understanding of and involvement with digital media and computation. Entry-level competency can also be partially demonstrated through coursework and may include courses in:
- advanced computer programming
- computer graphics and animation
- computer music
- digital design
- film theory
- interactive technologies
- media authoring tools
- media theory
- multimedia systems
- signal processing
Students should see the program website for application deadlines and admission terms.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/07 | Final |
Graduates can go on to careers in areas such as:
- academia
- mobile and web development
- product design
- programming
- research and development across diverse industries
- software engineering
- 3D modeling
- user experience design
Arts, Media and Engineering Sch T
|
STAUF-B 217
ameed@asu.edu
480-965-9432
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
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. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. 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.
