The Electronic Media Arts Design program of the University of Denver produces self motivated artists with strengths in creative vision, design, concept development, critical thinking and a commitment to communicating visual messages capable of reshaping the world through innovative artistic design.

The eMAD graduate program fuses the practical and theoretical aspects of electronic Media Arts Design. It emphasizes the production of electronic and visual language systems that consciously integrate human factors, critical thought, electronic media, and aesthetic concerns. Within this context, the program provides an opportunity for research and further development of creativity, knowledge and skills in electronic media art. It also instigates evaluation within the context of art and design in its concepts and applications. eMAD provides motivated and dedicated individuals the opportunity to work closely with professionally active faculty members committed to mentoring students in order to further develop the students' talents and foster the ability of students to become leaders in the field of electronic media arts. Request Information.

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The Program

Course Requirements Before Fall 2008	Credits		Course Requirements for Students Entering Fall 2008 & after	Credits
Seminars	20		Seminars	20
Critiques	20		Critiques	20
Thesis	10		Thesis	12
Art History	15		Art History	12
eMAD/ Art	25		eMAD/ Art	28
For a minimum of	90		For a minimum of	92

                                             

Course Work

eMAD Seminars
Seminars meet once a week to focus on critical theories surrounding the discourse of visual language systems, digital video, interactivity, the world wide web, electronic typography, the body and technology, to name a few. Seminars are discussion based and directed towards concept development and content. They require theoretical readings, and investigation through research and practice. A project is also expected as a result of the seminars. They are offered twice a year with rotating topics each quarter.
Critique Session
Formal Critique Sessions are group-based discussions focused on theories and concepts evolving around individual graduate work. These sessions are designed to assist in the preparation and construction of individual studio exploration, development and, ultimately, a thesis project.
Graduate thesis project
Graduate Thesis Project is the capstone experience for the graduate student. The number of credit hours, ten, reflects the weight placed upon this experience; and will accommodate the time students are expected to dedicate to the research and production of the thesis project itself and to the written thesis that supports it. The student also prepares for the oral defense of their work at this time. The grade for the Thesis Project course is given by the student's thesis advisor.
Art History at 3000 level or higher
Advanced/Graduate level eMAD/Art
Total Quarter Hours

MFA Project Proposal

By the end of the first year, the graduate candidate submits a proposal for review by the graduate committee of the student's choice. This proposal is then further developed with increased focus throughout the remainder of their residency. This document should be at least 6 pages in length and describe the overall concept of the project. Included in the proposal is a time line, expected outcomes, and a bibliography that demonstrates an investigation into the history, technique, cultural and critical perspectives evolving from the proposed subject matter. Students must allow a two week turn around time for comments on their proposal.

Advancement to Candidacy Review

A review by the graduate committee to determine progress toward advancement to candidacy. Each student must keep track of his/her credits. The beginning of the winter quarter, when the student has reached 60 credits he/she must notify the Graduate Director or office staff of his/her plans to graduate in the spring. Upon recommendation of the graduate committee and completion of (two Graduate Critique classes) the office will file the paperwork necessary to advance the student to candidacy for the Master's degree. The student will then need to pick up an Application for Graduation from the School of Art and Art History office.

Exhibition of the MFA project

A public exhibition of the thesis project occurs during the quarter for graduation . In the spring of the student's second year, the student, after gaining approval from one of the eMAD faculty members who will act as the primary advisor, registers for the 10 credits hours of Thesis. The exhibition is typically mounted for a two-week duration in Gallery 023 or the Victoria H. Myhren Gallery of the School of Art and Art History. A student may locate a different venue outside of the School of Art and Art history at the discretion of the thesis committee. Certain exhibitions may require an alternate venue to further support the thesis exploration, especially works that are linear in scope such as film, video, performance, etc.

Written Thesis

The thesis project is accompanied by a written documentation of the MFA project. It must illustrate the student's ability to contextualize their body of work in relationship to the following perspectives: personal, historical, technical, ethical, cultural and critical. The written portion may take on the traditional form of a paper or a less traditional, yet appropriate and pre-approved mode such as a website or CD-Rom. This written thesis should be at least 15 pages. This is approved by the graduate committee.

Oral Examination

A final critique and oral examination by the graduate committee occurs in the Spring quarter. Two to three days are set aside accommodate the defense of graduate students's thesis once completed. Each defense is one hour long. Students are given the specific time and location to present their thesis work.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

An applicant's packet must include the following information: completed application form, portfolio, candidate statement, three letters of recommendation, official/sealed transcripts, and a SASE for the return of materials. The portfolio should include a presentation of 15 to 20 works, reflecting the consistency in a candidate's vision as well as the mature development of a personal approach to the work. Slides, CD-ROMs, URLs, DVDs and video are acceptable formats.

International applicants must have achieved a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit a Test of Written English (TWE) score prior to admission.

Students may be admitted on regular, provisional, or special status as described in the general requirements outlined in the University of Denver Graduate Bulletin.

We welcome, and will consider, applications from students with diverse educational and experiential backgrounds. The recommended educational curriculum for applicants is a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) in design or studio arts practices with a strong foundation in both traditional and electronic practices. Students with undergraduate degrees other than a BFA, may be required to take leveling courses at the undergraduate level as a pre-condition to their admission. Students with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in art or design should have at least 24 credit hours of studio courses such as photography, electronic art, ceramics, painting, drawing, print making, sculpture, textiles, etc. documented by their transcripts.

With an application deadline of March 1, the Master of Fine Art's program admits students to begin their programs in the Fall quarter of the next academic year.

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