M.F.A. in Interactive Media

Overview

The University of Miami Interactive Media Master of Fine Arts is a 45-credit terminal degree that prepares students to design meaningful experiences through the cultural, social, and academic contexts of emerging technologies. The program prepares students for creative careers in emerging fields like interactive entertainment and interactive product design. While the goal is to develop students beyond contemporary career opportunities, common career trajectories include interactive product designer, game designer, and others. 

The program equips a new generation of innovators and leaders in the field of interaction design. Its mission is to explore the use of design, technology, human behavior, and their impact on our community. The multidisciplinary curriculum brings together students from different backgrounds to explore the role that design and interactive technologies play in our society and develop the leadership skills and ethical thinking required to succeed in shaping it. 

While the program does not require advanced computer skills, familiarity and comfort with computer-based design and development tools is recommended.

Admission Requirements

The following is a list of the required conditions as well as the required documents/fees for your application for admission to the Master of Arts degree program in the School of Communication. 

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• The School's official application
• An $85.00 non-refundable application fee
• Three letters of recommendation
• 500-word typed statement of academic and professional goals
• Official transcripts of all college work, both undergraduate and graduate. 
  • Note: In addition, international applicants must send an official copy of their diploma for all degrees earned, and all documentation that confers their degree, with English translation for all degrees earned. 
  • Note: All transcripts must be the original document, forwarded directly from the university: Xerox copies, true copies, notarized copies and other types of copies are not acceptable.
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores
  • Note: Only for international applicants.
• Copy of current passport
  • Note: Only for international applicants. The name entered on the graduate application must exactly match your name as it appears on your passport.

• PERSONAL ESSAY (up to 700 words): The essay should address personal objectives for graduate study, subject matters of interest for future projects, and career goals related to interactive media MFA. Essays should include the applicant’s goals in earning the Interactive Media MFA and how they want to connect their prior experience professionally and from their undergraduate degree.  

• Students are required to submit a portfolio appropriate to the work they would like to complete in the program.  Students are also encouraged to submit a GRE, our institution code for the GRE is #5815 and the department code is #4599. For more information, please visit https://interactive.miami.edu/admissions/

Contact the Office of Graduate Studies, call 305-284-5236 or email (socgrad@miami.edu), for information. 

Curriculum Requirements

¹

Students must complete a minimum of 45 credit hours at the graduate level with an average of B and no grade lower than a C-. Prior written approval is required from both the chair of the interactive media program and the director of graduate studies for transfer credit hours, for course substitutions as well as for taking a course at another university.

²

Students are required to register for two capstone project seminars. To register for this course, students must complete all courses with a standing 3.0 GPA. The capstone course is designed to help students define and execute their final projects. To graduate, students must complete and present an advanced interactive project, demonstrating mastery of design and implementation of ,fully articulated capstone project and related documentation.

³

Students must complete all master’s degree requirements within 6 years.

⁴

All students must successfully complete portfolio requirements.  

Portfolio Requirement

All students pursuing the MFA in Interactive Media must prepare a digital portfolio as a requirement for graduation. This portfolio plays a pivotal role in their academic journey, with mandatory reviews during their capstone classes. As they approach graduation, second-year MFA students must undergo a final portfolio review, ensuring their work aligns with program standards and objectives. The portfolio serves as a representative overview, collectively demonstrating students' competence with the MFA in Interactive Media program's learning outcomes. It's not just a requirement; it's a canvas to showcase innovative and creative abilities, positioning students for success in their future careers within the dynamic realm of Interactive Media. Student portfolios are reviewed by a mixed panel of industry professionals and Interactive Media faculty. For guidance and feedback throughout this process, students are encouraged to engage with their capstone faculty, who are committed to helping them excel and achieve excellence in their portfolios, contributing to their academic growth and professional readiness. Failure to produce a satisfactory portfolio may result in a delay in graduation, as students may need to retake courses or extend their time in the program until they meet the necessary standards. In more severe cases, repeated failure to meet portfolio requirements could lead to dismissal from the program.

Sample Plan of Study

Mission

The MFA in Interactive Media’s mission is to provide high-quality graduate education for current and prospective professionals in the fields of interaction design, data visualization, and game design. Program activities are designed to explore the strategic role that interactive technologies play in communication and how they are shaping today’s society, culture, and business.

Goals

The program strives to achieve local, state, and national prominence through a contemporary hands-on curriculum, practical experience with outside organizations, and applied research designed to develop and enhance creative competence and design thinking skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and refine existing systems or invent new systems to meet client or audience needs using interactive media.
• Students will be able to develop a product following a human-centered design that incorporates user research, innovation, design, and implementation.