The Design Media Arts (DMA) undergraduate program emphasizes innovative and exploratory creation with digital media. The curriculum features a set of foundation classes followed by a broad selection of courses in media arts, games, and design. Students are encouraged to focus on one of these areas and to enrich their experience with additional classes from other areas and related classes through other departments at UCLA. The program culminates with the Senior Projects class where each student defines their own senior project based on individual interests in media arts, games, or design

This uniquely challenging and diverse program invites students to balance aesthetic sensibility with logical reasoning, formal theories with practical application, and contemporary thought with historical perspective. Most courses are taught as studios of no more than 22 students, which encourages individual growth and fosters a sense of community within the department.

Rather than focusing on narrow professional development, our curriculum fosters experimentation across a range of different media. We privilege a social outlook, process, experimentation, and personal growth over conservatism and commercialism and we search for students who share the same goals. We strive to provide a broad education that encourages young people to make new connections, to analyze complex situations, and to think critically.

The undergraduate curriculum begins with a series of foundational courses in preparation for the major, and moves into core upper-division classes which comprise the major itself.

In addition to classes taken within the DMA department, students complete a series of general education courses and are encouraged to take other electives from the university to broaden their experience. A complete list of all DMA classes with descriptions is available in the UCLA General Catalog and individual class websites can be found on the DMA Classes website.

The Department of Design Media Arts accepts first year and transfer applications for Fall quarter only. Each applicant must complete the University of California Application and the DMA Undergraduate Supplemental Application, including a creative portfolio.

WHO CAN APPLY?

• High school graduates
• Students transferring from California community colleges or other accredited universities

How do I apply?

Admission to the Department of Design Media Arts is a two-step process.

Step 1
Students must complete the University of California Application and put Design Media Arts as their first choice major to UCLA.

Step 2
All applicants for the Design Media Arts major must also submit the DMA Undergraduate Supplemental Application in SlideRoom. Detailed information about the supplemental requirements and how to submit, can be found in the Important Documents section below.

Your supplemental application must be submitted by DECEMBER 15, 2024 (11:59pm PST).

The Department of Design Media Arts emphasizes visual, audio, analytical theoretical, and technology-mediated work in design and media arts. This is a three-year program that fully integrates computers and other digital technology into the curriculum.

Design Media Arts will consider sophomore transfers. For more information about admission criteria, please visit https://www.uclaarts-admission.com/transfer-applicants.

Admission to the Design Media Arts major is based on evidence of creative talent and academic achievement and is very competitive. The most important admission criteria is the supplemental application which requires a portfolio of creative work. While it may be beneficial to complete the courses listed below as recommended preparation, there is no guarantee they will transfer as exact UCLA equivalents. Substitutions for lower division requirements will be determined by the department in the summer following admission. Syllabi or other descriptive course documentation may be required for consideration.

Recommended (not required) preparation for the major: one course each in drawing, color theory, two-dimensional and three dimensional form, digital media computer design, programming for media arts, letter forms and typography, design culture, and interactivity and media arts, and two courses in design history.

The department has prepared a help document for Transfer Students, to assistant in identifying relevant coursework.

Non-UCLA students may also take DMA preparation for the major courses here at UCLA during Summer Sessions: https://summer.ucla.edu/.

Students who wish to join the Design Media Arts major submit applications in Fall Quarter to start coursework in Spring Quarter. Change of major applications will be considered only for current UCLA students who have successfully completed at least one quarter at UCLA/UC campus and are in good academic standing. Students may not apply for admission to Design Media Arts more than two times during their residency at UCLA. Previous coursework in Design Media Arts does not guarantee admission, but DESMA 8 and 10 are highly recommended.

The Department prefers that students have fewer than 90 units at the time of application to ensure a normal degree completion time. Students with more than 121 units (excluding AP and Design Media Arts courses) will not be considered. The supplemental application is a critical consideration in the admission process. Supplements are reviewed by department faculty, graduate students, and select alumni.

Students who would like to change their major to add Design Media Arts as a major must attend a mandatory information sessions on one of the dates listed below. Please register through link on the date you will be attending. Info sessions are held in Fall quarter only and will be held on Zoom.

Design Media Arts Change of Major Information Sessions:
Tuesday, September 10, 12-12:45pm
Friday, October 11, 12-12:45pm
Tuesday, October 29, 12-12:45pm
Thursday, November 14, 12-12:45pm
Wednesday, December 4, 12-12:45pm

When you are ready to apply, please use this link. Design Media Arts uses SlideRoom to collect Change of Major application materials. If you do not have a SlideRoom account, you will be prompted to sign up for one for free. There are no costs associated with applying for a Change of Major.