Program Overview

Program Overview

The Online Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts and Sciences is a comprehensive program that prepares students to be socially aware, critically thinking global citizens who strive to bring about positive change in a society increasingly shaped by revolutions in new technologies. This program focuses on fostering a new kind of digital fluency, not only proficiency with design, tools, and code, but also the ability to adapt to the rapid change associated with 21st-century culture.

Program Details

• Total classes: 40
• Weeks per class: 7.5
• Total credit hours: 120
• Next start date: 01/12/2026

What You'll Learn

In this program, you'll master cutting-edge tools, engage in critical reflection of these tools, and discuss their impact on our lived experience. Throughout your courses, you'll also:

• Create images, animations, and interactive programs.
• Examine the effects of digital technology on the way we live, communicate, learn, and create.
• Experiment with techniques for physical, digital, literary, and artistic prototyping.
• Explore techniques in programming in the context of images, sounds, interaction, networking, and data visualization.
• Trace our evolution, look at current examples of hybrid cultural processes, and discuss possible future trends.
• Learn how to use images, movies, sound files, microphones, and cameras.

Careers for Media Arts Majors

As our world continues to evolve, there's a surging demand for professionals who are both creative and technical. This program supports and fosters digital creativity, helping you stay ahead of the curve in our ever-changing digital culture. Potential careers include:

• App designer
• Web developer
• Sound artist
• UX designer
• Video game designer

Featured Media Arts and Sciences Courses

• AME 111: Introduction to Digital Culture
• AME 130: Prototyping Dreams
• AME 230: Programming for the Media Arts
• AME 485: Media Arts and Sciences Capstone I
• AME 486: Media Arts and Sciences Capstone II

Course Descriptions

AME 111: Introduction to Digital Culture

Examines the effects of digital technology on the way we live, communicate, learn, and create. Proposes that we are moving towards a hybrid (physical-digital) existence and culture.

AME 130: Prototyping Dreams

Explores speculative design and inspirational prototyping as a way to imagine and organize worlds.

AME 230: Programming for the Media Arts

Introductory-level course in practical aspects of programming systems for media arts. Explores techniques in programming in the context of images, sounds, interaction, networking, and data visualization.

AME 485: Media Arts and Sciences Capstone I

Senior capstone projects are interdisciplinary team projects that offer experience in diverse collaborations for solving complex problems.

AME 486: Media Arts and Sciences Capstone II

Senior capstone projects are interdisciplinary team projects that offer experience in diverse collaborations for solving complex problems.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to ASU, you must hold a high school diploma or equivalent and have completed at least 14 of the following courses:

• Four years of math
• Four years of English (non-ESL/ELL courses)
• Three years of lab sciences (One year each from biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences, or physics)
• Two years of social sciences (including one year of American history)
• Two years of the same second language
• One year of fine arts or career and technical education

Applicants must meet at least one of the following:

• Top 25% in your high school graduating class
• 3.00 GPA in competency courses (4.00 = A)
• ACT score of 22 for Arizona residents (24 nonresidents) or SAT Reasoning score of 1120 for Arizona residents (1180 nonresidents)

Faculty and Research Areas

ASU's Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is home to world-class scholars, artists, and designers who inspire students to shape the future. Faculty research areas include:

• Arts and design for social justice
• Arts, education, and arts-integrated education
• Arts, entrepreneurship, and cultural policy
• Community engagement and public policy
• Creative health collaborations
• Design, arts, science, and engineering
• The study of creative work

Tuition and Financial Aid

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more about tuition and financial aid options.