M.F.A. in Imaging and Digital Arts

The M.F.A. IMDA Program strives to provide graduate students with a laboratory environment equipped with relevant and engaging media tools to empower them to generate evolutionary artistic solutions. IMDA students have access to updated facilities and methodologies for making art and to courses in art history and theory that reflect current critical discourse.

The IMDA course of study offers students an interdisciplinary approach to new methods of image making that enables them to develop technical skills and intellectual flexibility by incorporating:

Computer art
Video
Filmmaking
Photography
Installation
Interactive and hybrid forms of display
Art theory and criticism

IMDA students work toward gaining greater technical proficiency and conceptual understanding of several media and equip themselves to dissolve the limits of any one specialized field or method. The MFA in Imaging and Digital Arts is committed to investigating conceptual and technical transformations in the visual arts within the broader context of the history of art. Such exploration and experimentation pose new conceptual challenges that are central to the student's course of study.

The M.F.A. IMDA Program, a full-time, three-year course of study, is open to a limited number of applicants so lab facilities will be available to them.

Requirements for completion:

  • 60 credit hours
  • 6 credits may be upper-level undergraduate courses approved by program director
  • 12 credits earned with a written thesis, thesis exhibition, and oral defense
  • Grade of "B" or better in all course work
  • 3rd semester review of student's research needed for advancement to candidacy
  • Student must achieve candidacy to continue.
  • Some students may qualify for early candidacy after 2nd semester.
  • After advancement, student will work with their major professor and Thesis Committee for approval of thesis and exhibition, so thesis and oral defense may be presented.

Imaging and Digital Arts Courses

ART 610
Introduction to Imaging and Digital Seminar [4]
Contemporary issues, tools, artists and individual work will be discussed. Note: Required course for incoming graduate students to provide a basis for interdisciplinary exploration.

ART 620
History and Theory of Imaging and Digital Arts [4] This course presents a chronological examination of the influences of imaging and digital
arts upon major issues and movements in contemporary art. Note: Required course for the M.F.A. degree.

ART 621
Contemporary Art in Process [3]
A study of new directions in the visual and performing arts in conjunction with a visiting artist program. The course is designed as an investigation of the artistic process through viewing work and interacting with the artist.

ART 624
Contemporary Art, Theory and Criticism [4]
Focusing on the fundamentals of art theory, criticism, analysis and evaluation, this course will examine contemporary art, theory and the historical and philosophical issues that shape and define art and culture. Note: Required course for the M.F.A. degree.

ART 630
Technical Seminar [2-4]
In-depth research on specific topics and tools. Note: Repeatable up to eight credits.

ART 636
Curatorial Seminar [2]
Investigations into the ideas, issues and roles of the curator and the university gallery. Note: Repeatable up to six credits.

ART 638
Teaching Practicum l [2]
A tutorial course in the practice and issues of teaching. Required as preparation for students who are interested in teaching.

ART 639
Teaching Internship [3]
A student will assume responsibility for teaching a course under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

ART 640
Imaging and Digital Studio [4]
A studio course in which the student develops ideas and imagery to produce a body of work. Note: Repeatable up to eight credits. Required course for the M.F.A. degree.

ART 641
Graduate Computer Art Studio [3]
The emphasis of this course is to gain proficiency in realizing creative concepts with advanced image-processing tools. Students will have access to high-resolution graphics equipment, video camera digitizing, drawing tablets and video and photo output devices. Work will be executed with professional- quality software packages. Students will be required to develop a unified body of work.

ART 642
Graduate Video Art Studio [1-6]
A production course where students work individually or in teams within the class to create projects in video art using 3/4” SP and digital production and post-production facilities. A/B roll editing will be introduced.

ART 643
Graduate Photography Studio [1-6]
Advanced photographic projects in the student’s area of interest. Emphasis will be on completing a portfolio that can be used for exhibition/publication or entrance into the professional field. Note: Repeatable for a total of 12 credits.

ART 644
Graduate Film Studio [3]
A course designed to introduce students to crew techniques; specific studio and location lighting situations; the refinement of sync sound shooting, editing skills and the post-production techniques required for multiple-track mix-downs; and an introduction to film treatments, storyboards, scripts, budgets and fundraising. These skills will be taught in relation to documentary and personal filmmaking, as well as to traditional and alternative narrative film technique. Appropriate historical and contemporary films will be screened and discussed in class. Students are expected to work on their own films and participate in class projects.

ART 649
Special Topics Studio [4]
Through lectures, demonstrations and critique of student work, current issues and techniques, specific media will be presented. Note: Repeatable up to eight credits. Prerequisite: ART 640 and consent of instructor.

ART 690
Independent Studies [1-6]
A research project conducted under the supervision of a visual arts faculty member. Note: Repeatable up to 12 credits. Prerequisites: ART 640 and permission of instructor.

ART 691
Special Topics in Art History [4]
Special topics in contemporary art history and theory. Specific topics to be announced. Note: Repeatable up to 12 credits.

ART 720
Seminar in Art History and Theory [4]
An examination of major contemporary issues and ideas in art history and theory. Note: Required course for the M.F.A. degree. Prerequisite: ART 620 and ART 624.

ART 740
Advanced Imaging and Digital Studio [4]
A studio course in which the student develops ideas and imagery to produce of a body of work. Note: Required course for the M.F.A. degree. Prerequisite: ART 640.

ART 780
Imaging Symposium in Industry [3-6]
Symposium concerned with specific imaging problems and issues faced in education, business and industry. Representatives from these fields will participate actively in the course work. Note: Repeatable to 12 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

ART 790
Independent Study [1-6]
Advanced research project conducted under the supervision of a visual arts faculty member. Note: Repeatable to 12 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

ART 792
Thesis and Exhibition Preparation [2]
Preparation of written and thesis exhibition in conjunction with thesis committee. Note: Required course for the M.F.A. degree.

ART 794
Graduate Internship [1-6]
An internship directly related to the graduate student’s emphasis; to be taken under the supervision of a visual arts faculty advisor.

ART 798
Graduate Thesis [4]
Writing of master’s thesis in conjunction with the advisor and thesis committee. Note: Required course for the M.F.A. degree. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

ART 799
Graduate Thesis Exhibition [1-8]
The culmination of a student’s work, presented as a formal exhibition. This course, in conjunction with ART 798, is required for the M.F.A. degree. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.