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The Bachelor of Science in Electronic Arts at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary education that combines the principles of art, technology, and creative design. This innovative program is designed to prepare students for dynamic careers in the rapidly evolving fields of digital media, game design, interactive entertainment, and visual effects. Through a rigorous curriculum, students acquire a solid foundation in computer programming, digital image processing, animation, and game development, alongside courses in art history, storytelling, and user experience design. The program emphasizes practical skills and hands-on experience, encouraging students to develop their own projects, collaborate in teams, and participate in internships with industry leaders. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced laboratories equipped with the latest hardware and software for digital creation and virtual production. Faculty members are experts in digital arts, computer graphics, and interactive media, providing mentorship and industry insights that connect academic learning with real-world application. The curriculum also fosters innovative thinking, problem-solving skills, and adaptability, equipping graduates to excel in fields such as video game design, digital filmmaking, virtual reality, augmented reality, and multimedia art. In addition to technical mastery, students are encouraged to cultivate their artistic sensibility and storytelling abilities, ensuring they can create compelling and immersive experiences for diverse audiences. Partnerships with industry and participation in competitions and exhibitions enhance students’ professional portfolios and networking opportunities. Upon graduation, students are well-prepared to contribute to creative industries, pursue advanced degrees, or launch their own startups. The program aims to cultivate versatile professionals who can lead and innovate in the dynamic landscape of electronic arts and digital media.
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All majors in the Electronic Arts take a total of 60 credits in the field, including a 24-credit sequence of arts foundation courses, as well as eight credits of Creative Seminar. The remaining 28 credits for the major are configured to allow the student to concentrate in one of three tracks:
Typical schedules for each of the concentrations are shown below:
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Electronic Arts - Computer Music and Sound Art ConcentrationFirst YearFall
Spring
Second YearFall
Spring
Third YearFall
Spring
Fourth YearFall
Spring
ElectivesPerformance Electives
History/Culture Electives
Advanced Technical Electives and Advanced Studio
Electronic Arts - Media, Ecology, Entrepreneurship, and Experimentation ConcentrationFirst YearFall
Spring
Second YearFall
Spring
Third YearFall
Spring
Fourth YearFall
or
Spring
Recommended Courses
Electronic Arts - Visual Arts and Animation ConcentrationFirst YearFall
Spring
Second YearFall
Spring
Third YearFall
Spring
Fourth YearFall
Spring
Electives2000-Level Visual Arts Electives
4000-Level Visual Arts Electives
Footnotes
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Requirements
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all non-native English speakers. Applicants who have completed three or more years of secondary education in the U.S. may request an exemption by emailing Rensselaer Admissions. Rensselaer expects a minimum TOEFL score of at least 88 iBT, or 570 PBT. For students not able to take the TOEFL, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson’s Test of English (PTE) may be substituted for the TOEFL. An IELTS score of at least 7.0 or a PTE score of at least 59 is expected. Only the academic format is accepted.
- In general, we look for students who have earned A’s and B’s in a challenging curriculum. We pay close attention to exactly which classes you have taken and how you have performed in them, instead of focusing on a certain GPA.
- Portfolio
- Request a letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher.
A recommendation provided by a math or science teacher who knows you well is preferred. - Remit the $70 application fee.
Electronic Arts B.S. Portfolio Requirements
Applicants are required to submit a portfolio and a written statement of intent. The statement of intent should be connected to the work submitted in the portfolio and the applicant's interest in the program. The successful portfolio and application should include 10-20 examples of work that shows excellence as an artist and a desire to work with electronic arts tools. The portfolio should represent what the applicant considers to be their best work in any medium. Prepare a digital portfolio of your creative work, containing multimedia projects, digital video clips, audio recordings, or still images. Students may submit a portfolio of drawings, paintings, slides or scores, etc. in addition.
Preferred Portfolio Format:
Incoming Students (Freshmen and External Candidates): Rensselaer strongly recommends that you use the online portfolio system to upload your portfolio with digital files. The online portfolio system supports the following formats for each genre:
Images (5MB each: jpg, png, gif)
Videos (60MB each: mov, wmv, flv)
PDF (10MB each: pdf)
Audio (10MB each: mp3)
If the online portfolio system does not support your desired submission format, applicants can also submit their digital portfolio on CD or DVD. Do not submit original work with your application. Your CD or DVD portfolio should be mailed to:
Rensselaer Admissions
Undergraduate Programs
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th Street
Troy, New York 12180-3590
Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.
- ✔️ Flexible study schedule
- ✔️ Experienced teachers
- ✔️ Certificate upon completion
📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.
Scholarships
- Rensselaer Grant
- Rensselaer Leadership Award
- Rensselaer Merit Scholarship (awarded prior to the 2009-2010 academic year)
- Rensselaer Medal Scholarship
- Rensselaer Room & Board Scholarship
The Electronic Arts program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers students a comprehensive education in the principles and practices of electronic arts, combining aspects of computer science, digital media, and creative design. This program is designed to prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving fields of digital entertainment, game development, interactive media, and multimedia applications. Students will engage with core courses in computer graphics, programming, and digital art, complemented by specialized electives in game design, animation, sound engineering, and user experience design. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning through projects, collaborative work, and internships that provide practical experience and industry insights. Rensselaer’s state-of-the-art facilities include advanced laboratories equipped with the latest technology in digital media creation, allowing students to experiment with virtual and augmented reality, motion capture, and computer-generated imagery. Faculty members for this program are experienced professionals and researchers in electronic arts, digital media production, and interactive entertainment, ensuring that students receive mentorship rooted in current industry trends. The program also fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across departments such as computer science, design, and engineering, encouraging students to develop innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to electronic arts projects. Graduates of the program are equipped to pursue careers in game development studios, multimedia production companies, digital advertising, interactive art installations, and entertainment technology firms. They are well-prepared to take on roles such as game designers, digital artists, multimedia programmers, and virtual environment developers. Rensselaer’s strong industry connections and alumni network also facilitate job placement and further advanced study opportunities. Overall, the Electronic Arts program aims to cultivate technical proficiency, artistic creativity, and entrepreneurial skills necessary for success in the dynamic domain of electronic arts and digital entertainment.
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