The Master of Fine Arts in Media Arts is a rigorous three-year program that focuses on each individual's personal and creative development within the context of media arts. Each student works toward an individual thesis project that incorporates research and theoretical exploration of a topic of their choice, with the goal of producing a refined body of work that culminates in an MFA exhibition. DMA graduate students come from many fields and artists from diverse backgrounds including the visual arts, sciences, and engineering are encouraged to apply.

The program is focused on preparing students in three primary ways. First, through the acquisition and development of technical and craft-based skills in various related media. Second, by building a thorough theoretical foundation in media history and theory, and supporting each student’s journey in developing their own unique discursive framework through writing, research, and interdisciplinary engagement with other departments at UCLA. Finally, by helping students hone a sophisticated and compelling body of work, through critiques, seminars, exhibitions and one-on-one mentorship.

The first year curriculum provides a foundation in Media Arts. The 252 ABC course sequence provides a foundation in craft and skills in the areas of computer programming and software development, 3D literacy and virtuality, and in physical media such as 3D printing, mechanics and robotics. The 282 and 269 Seminars provide an introduction to contemporary topics in theory relevant to media arts; The 403 and 404 critique and one on one tutorial classes offer opportunities to develop context for discussion, critique and development of students' work.

The second year curriculum is centered on exploration, offering opportunities to explore a wide range of topical courses that introduce various craft skills, techniques, and critical approaches, and begin working on research towards their written thesis during this year with support from 289 special topics, and the 269 thesis writing seminars. Students are encouraged to take elective courses from the wider offerings at DMA and UCLA at large.

The third year curriculum is centered on focus, and honing each student's individual or collaborative practice; and is designed to support the development and completion of a thesis project and finalizing the written thesis paper. The curriculum in the third year is more loose and shifted more towards critique and independent work through one on one tutorials. The graduate professional practice course introduces tools to negotiate and support a range of possible post graduation career pathways.

In addition to these required courses, students must enroll in a minimum of 33 units from any combination of the courses DESMA 404, DESMA 289 or DESMA 403, as well as a minimum of 16 units of electives (from DESMA upper division undergraduate courses, DESMA graduate seminars, upper division courses, or graduate courses outside of the department), of which 8 units of DESMA 596, may be applied toward the requirements for the degree.

A minimum of 101 quarter units of upper division and graduate Design Media Arts courses are required. 52 of the 101 units require letter grades; 16 units require S/U grades.

For a complete list of DMA and other UCLA courses and course descriptions, consult the UCLA General Catalog.

Each entering student is assigned two faculty advisors by the department based on student input and faculty availability. The initial faculty advisors are charged with the responsibility of reviewing the first-year student’s progress a minimum of three times in the academic year and may or may not eventually become a member of the student’s thesis committee. Satisfactory student progress is determined by course grades and the quality of the student’s work..

In the second and third years, the Graduate Thesis Committee is responsible for reviewing, at least once every quarter, the student’s progress toward a thesis project and documentation. The Graduate Thesis Committee, approved by the departmental chair, has a minimum of three members: two senate faculty members from the Department of Design Media Arts, and one senate faculty member from the Department of Media Arts or any UC campus department. The Committee must be established no later than the end of the fourth week of the fall quarter in the second year.

The comprehensive MFA examination consists of a written thesis and a concentrated body of work that will be presented in a master of fine arts exhibition. An accompanying record of the exhibition, including documentation appropriate to the media, for example, images of physical work, research material, other visual material, a written statement, and other materials as determined by the student’s Graduate Thesis Committee, is also required.

For a complete outline of degree requirements, see "Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees," accessible on the Graduate Division website at Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees.

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in order to apply. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last two years of upper-division undergraduate work is also required. The applicant’s bachelor’s degree need not be in media arts, though applicants with degrees in interdisciplinary programs that emphasize media arts are preferred. Applicants are expected to have working knowledge of a variety of software. Additional experience with video, interactive media, or 3D modeling and animation is expected.

Students are recommended for acceptance into the Department of Design Media Arts program based on a faculty evaluation of their portfolio, written statements, and official academic records from all higher-education institutions attended after high school.

All applicants are also required to provide two letters of recommendation with the application. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.

A portfolio documenting no more than ten of the applicant's original works is required as a part of the UCLA Application for Graduate Admission.

Formal faculty review of graduate applicant portfolios takes place in February of each year. Applicant finalists should be available for an in-person or Skype interview as a part of the application process.

For questions, see the Graduate Application FAQ document available below, or contact: dmainfo@arts.ucla.edu

Register for one of our upcoming Design Media Arts MFA Info Sessions

• Thursday, September 5, 10 – 11am
• Tuesday, October 15, 12 – 1 pm
• Tuesday, November 19, 3 - 4pm
• Wednesday, December 11, 12 - 1pm

Various merit- and eligibility-based financial support is available to entering and continuing graduate students at UCLA. Entering DMA graduate students are offered financial assistance at the time of admission based on the strength of their application; continuing students are usually informed of their financial support before the beginning of their second and third year of study. Additionally, all students are given the opportunity to apply for Teaching Assistantship positions, which offer a quarterly salary and a partial fee remission during the term(s) of employment.

More information on financial support, including extramural awards, is available through the UCLA Graduate Division.

Information on fees can be found on the UCLA Tuition & Student Fees site.