Integrated Media Arts - MFA

The MFA Program in Integrated Media Arts offers advanced studies in nonfiction media making, using state-of-the-art digital technologies. Unlike most graduate media programs, which train students in specific media crafts, this program is one of the first in the nation to educate multi-disciplinary media professionals, socially aware and knowledgeable in the wide range of media skills that are brought together in the digital media environment.

Hunter’s MFA in Integrated Media Arts offers a 48-credit course of study, combining analytical seminars, interdisciplinary research and creative workshops in writing, visual communication, and media distribution and exhibition. Building on a foundation of research and analysis, MFA students explore and create new ways to advance information and ideas, balancing critical thinking with aesthetics, theory with practice, traditional methods with new technologies, contemporary issues with an historical perspective. They also engage in collaborative production labs at Hunter or external industry creative residencies that are calculated to provide hands-on understanding of real world media environments.

Hunter’s MFA/IMA educates students who will be prepared to assume positions of creative leadership in the professional media world. In this program, a coming generation of media makers trains to become tomorrow’s preeminent communicators, twenty-first century pamphleteers employing new digital media to inform, enliven and extend the possibilities of the public square.

Admissions Requirements

Students are accepted into the program for fall semester enrollment only. February 1st is the closing date for completed fall applications. The MFA/IMA Program is highly selective, enrolling only 15-20 students each year. Applicants are expected to present the following:

A bachelor’s degree, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
3 letters of recommendation from people able to comment on an applicant’s creative and academic talent and determination.
A portfolio of media works, indicating talent and promise. Submitted works may include videos and films, interactive digital design, photography, sound, graphic design, journalistic writings, etc.
A personal statement describing the applicant’s long-term objectives as a media maker and the social impact they hope their work will have. Statements should also explain why Hunter’s MFA Program in Integrated Media Arts is particularly relevant to the applicant’s creative goals.
An official transcript of undergraduate studies.
A completed graduate application form
Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of Written English (TWE) component of the TOEFL examination.

Degree Requirements

The coursework in IMA is organized under five broad aspects of media study. They are:

Analytical Seminars

Where an intellectual foundation for socially aware and ethically responsible media work is an overarching objective

Interdisciplinary Research

In an ancillary field, an approved graduate level seminar or formal independent study project with a faculty member in an appropriate department other than Film and Media and/or interdisciplinary program at Hunter, The Graduate Center, another CUNY graduate program, or at an approved graduate institution outside CUNY

Words Workshops

Where writing for the media is an essential focus

Visions Workshops

Where the visual communication of ideas and information is a comprehensive goal

Channels Workshops

Where designs for exhibition and distribution of media work, for publicizing ideas, and for using media to enhance the quality of community interaction are key objectives

Capstone and additional courses complete the program

To fulfill the 48-credit degree requirement, the student must take:

IMA 70100 - Social and Historical Roots of Mass Culture
At least two additional ANALYTICAL seminars 6 credits
Interdisciplinary Research in ancillary field 3 credits
Ten workshops within: WORDS, VISIONS*, CHANNELS* 30 credits
IMA 78100 - Collaborative Media Project/Creative Residency
IMA 78800 - Master of Fine Arts Thesis Project

Additional Courses

Note(s)

*The following is a prerequisite for all interactive media courses and may be counted towards VISIONS or CHANNELS cluster requirement

IMA 76000 - Tools and Techniques of Digital Production
Students must take at least two courses and no more than four courses within each creative cluster. Some workshop courses may qualify within more than one cluster as indicated in the course description.