Master of Fine Arts in Digital Media Production
The MFA program in Digital Media Production at Sam Houston State University is a terminal degree program that equips media practitioners and media-education professionals with sophisticated knowledge of emerging media technologies and digital media content. The degree program also empowers them to create professional digital media content across different platforms, media, and distribution methods.
The program covers a variety of issues in Digital Media Production, including mobile application development, digital streaming techniques, mobile content creation and editing software, motion graphics and effects, and the comprehensive analysis of social media. These skills are not only essential for employment in traditional media industries, but also of growing importance to educational institutions, government entities, global conglomerates, and local corporations.
To earn the MFA degree, students are required to take 54 course credits and to submit a digital media portfolio. The portfolio is evaluated during the final semester by a committee of three mass communication faculty, Digital media portfolio evaluation committees are appointed by the Graduate Advisor in consultation with the Graduate Committee and student. Students must be enrolled the semester in which they submit their portfolio for evaluation.
Successful completion of a comprehensive oral examination is required for graduation. This exam is administered following the completion of 36 credit hours. Additional information on the comprehensive examination is located in the Graduate Degree Requirement section of the SHSU Graduate catalog.
Students wishing to pursue an MFA in Digital Media Production must meet the following requirements and submit all documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Graduate Admissions Application (submitted online through ApplyTexas)
- Application Fee
- An official transcript from the baccalaureate degree granting institution
- A 500-word personal statement outlining personal goals and objectives for the program
- A digital media portfolio or a link to an online digital media portfolio
- Two letters of recommendation
- FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY: Required TOEFL score of 550 (paper based), 2/3 (computer based), or 79 (internet based)
* Media professionals with at least eight years of experience in digital media may request a waiver of the GRE requirement.
ASSISTANTSHIP DEADLINE: Students seeking graduate assistantships must complete the application process by May 1st.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Fine Arts in Digital Media Production | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| MCOM 5300 | Digital Media History & Theory | 3 |
| MCOM 5340 | Social Media | 3 |
| MCOM 5355 | Digital Media Management | 3 |
| MCOM 6300 | Advanced Preproduction | 3 |
| MCOM 6310 | Advanced Multimedia Production | 3 |
| MCOM 6315 | Web and Mobile Development | 3 |
| MCOM 6330 | Digital Editing | 3 |
| MCOM 6335 | Motion Graphics and Effects | 3 |
| MCOM 6370 | Remote Digital Streaming | 3 |
| MCOM 6373 | Digital Video Production | 3 |
| MCOM 6380 | Studio Production | 3 |
| MCOM 6390 | Sound Design and Editing | 3 |
| ISDT 6351 | Distance Learning I | 3 |
| Prescribed Elective Courses | ||
| Select 3 from the following: | 9 | |
| Special Topic | ||
| Critical Approaches to Media | ||
| Digital Media Ethics and Law | ||
| Advanced Digital Writing | ||
| Professional Internship | ||
| Documentary Storytelling | ||
| Digital Entrepreneurship | ||
| Narrative Scriptwriting | ||
| Capstone Courses | ||
| MCOM 6398 | Capstone Portfolio Project I | 3 |
| MCOM 6399 | Capstone Portfolio Project II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 54 | |
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The MFA in Digital Media Production is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Acquire strong communication skills.
- Produce evidence-based research.
- Demonstrate technical production skills.
