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Media, Art and Design
Program Overview
Program Overview
The Media, Art and Design program prepares students for careers in media, visual design, and the applied arts. It features interdisciplinary study and hands-on coursework while focusing on developing students' abilities in design thinking and creative development. Students in this program work with an advisor to create a plan of study that fits their artistic and career goals. Many courses offer hands-on learning and opportunities to interact with new technologies specific to their mediums of interest.
Program Details
- Program Type: Major
- Academic Unit: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts
- Standard credit hours: 120
- Delivery Mode: In-person, Hybrid
- Typical Program Length: 4 years
- Typical Course Load: 4-5 per semester
- Estimated Program Cost: $49,344
- All rates or costs are for illustrative purposes only. Estimated cost is calculated by multiplying the appropriate 2025/2026 UMKC academic year resident rate by standard credit hours. Fees are NOT included in the calculation. Your hours and total costs may differ, depending on transfer hours, course choices, academic progress, program- and university-specific fees, and your qualified tuition rate.
Career Opportunities
A bachelor's degree in Media Art and Design prepares individuals for various creative roles within the arts and design sector. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in arts and design occupations is projected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations over the next 10 years. These projections suggest steady opportunities for graduates, particularly those adept at adapting to evolving digital technologies and media platforms.
Potential Careers
- Graphic designer
- Journalist
- Video and motion graphics artist
- Film and video editor
- Special effects artist or animator
- Art director
Median Salary
$56,905 per year, based on data from Lightcast.io for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists.
Potential Courses
Foundation Digital Design
An introductory course on techniques, practical applications, and aesthetic considerations for digital arts, graphic design, and computer multimedia. Students create visual projects and participate in a…
Design Thinking
Students examine and apply design thinking concepts from a variety of disciplines and embrace the value of risk and failure. Students develop goals for their course of study, creating a plan of study …
Ways of Seeing
This course introduces students to the history and theory of visual culture. It offers interdisciplinary tools for interpreting images in relation to transformations in visual technologies and cultura…
Related Programs and Pathways
- Communication — Digital Journalism and Media (Major)
- Communication — Strategic Communication (Major)
- Digital and Public Humanities (Minor)
- Film and Media Arts (Major)
Application Process
- Gather your materials
- Official transcripts
- Names and locations of previous college(s) or high school(s) and dates you attended
- Citizenship, residency, and visa information (if applicable)
- ACT/SAT test scores (optional). Required if you would like to be considered for applicable scholarship opportunities
- Complete the online application
- No application fee for domestic undergraduate students — $75 for international students
- Check admissions requirements
- Some programs have specific admission requirements.
Application Dates
- To Start Classes in Fall: Apply by June 15, Classes begin in August
- To Start Classes in Spring: Apply by Nov. 15, Classes begin in January
Estimated Tuition Per Semester
- Resident Rate: $6,168 per semester
- Heartland Rate: $9,063 per semester
- Nonresident Rate: $16,090 per semester
- All rates or costs are for illustrative purposes only. Estimated cost is calculated by multiplying the appropriate 2025/2026 UMKC academic year resident rate by standard credit hours. Fees are NOT included in the calculation. Your hours and total costs may differ, depending on transfer hours, course choices, academic progress, program- and university-specific fees, and your qualified tuition rate. Learn more about tuition and financial aid. This rate calculation is based on a course load of 15 credit hours per semester.
Financial Aid
- An amazing education shouldn't break the bank, which is why we offer a number of automatic and competitive scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities — plus financial guidance from our expert advisors.
- 96% of first-time Roos who qualified for financial aid last year
- $12,617 average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students
- 80% of undergrads who received a scholarship or grant
