Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary education designed to prepare students for the dynamic and rapidly evolving field of electronic arts and digital media. This program integrates principles from computer science, art, design, and engineering to foster creativity, technical proficiency, and innovative thinking. Students will explore a diverse curriculum including digital media production, interactive design, audio and visual programming, game development, virtual reality, and multimedia arts. The program emphasizes hands-on experience through projects, collaborative work, and internships, providing students with practical skills aligned with industry standards. Students will learn to utilize cutting-edge tools and software for digital content creation, gain understanding of user experience and human-computer interaction, and develop their own original digital artworks and interactive experiences. The program aims to cultivate both artistic expression and technical expertise, encouraging students to push the boundaries of digital innovation. Faculty members are distinguished professionals and researchers dedicated to mentoring students in their creative and academic pursuits. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to pursue careers in digital entertainment, game development, multimedia art, virtual reality environments, digital design, and related fields. With access to Rensselaer's state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories, and collaborations with industry partners, students will have ample opportunities for research, internships, and real-world application of their skills. The Electronic Arts program at Rensselaer seeks to inspire innovative thinking, artistic excellence, and technical mastery, preparing students to become leaders in the vibrant digital arts and entertainment industry of the future.

• at least 30 credit hours in 6000-level courses
• three history or theory courses at the 4000 or 6000 level, one of which must be: Electronic Arts Overview (ARTS 6110)
  (See footnote 2 below)
• a demonstration of competency in interdisciplinary electronic arts
  (See footnote 3 below)
• four credits of artistic residency through Professional Collaboration (ARTS 4050)
• enrollment in Electronic Arts Practice (ARTS 6080) every fall semester of residency
• two to nine credits of Master’s Thesis (ARTS 6990) in the second year of residency
  (See footnote 4 below)
• required public presentation and participation in critiques at the end of each semester

Footnotes

1. Individual requirements can be waived, in exceptional circumstances, by the department without decreasing the total number of credits for the degree. It is possible to reduce the total number of credits taken at Rensselaer by transferring up to six credits of previous graduate work.
2. History/theory courses may be either four credits (4000-level courses) or 3 credits (6000-level courses).
3. Competency is demonstrated in two qualifying reviews. Each student will participate in two end-of-semester departmental critiques, which will be judged by the Electronic Arts Faculty. The first review will identify the technical and creative areas to be addressed in the second review. The faculty must agree that the student’s work shows competency and artistic merit in interdisciplinary media in order for the student to progress toward his or her final thesis.
4. When enrolled for Master’s Thesis credits, students will also be expected to have regular individual meetings with their advisers. In their final two semesters of residency, students must enroll in a minimum of one thesis credit each semester. The maximum number of thesis credits in which a student can enroll is nine.

Exams and Thesis: 

• Two Qualifying Reviews: The first Qualifying Review will identify the technical and creative areas to be addressed in the second review. The Arts Department faculty must agree that the student’s work shows competency and artistic merit in interdisciplinary media in order for the student to progress toward his or her final thesis
• Completion of the Thesis Proposal and the Defense of the Proposal to the student’s Master’s committee.
• The Master’s Thesis is composed of a public presentation of the thesis arts practice and the thesis text. 
• The Master’s Thesis Defense: The student must defend the thesis in a Defense, conducted by the student’s thesis committee.

Requirements

• Completed graduate application (online application required)
• Non-refundable application fee of $75
• Statement of Background and Goals
• Portfolio (online submission or URL preferred)
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Official transcripts and evidence of degrees earned, in English, of all post-secondary education listed
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores, if applicable
• Applicants are expected to have completed a Bachelor's degree and to provide evidence of accomplishment in some aspect of music or the visual arts, usually via an artist's portfolio. 
• The successful portfolio and application will show growth and development as an artist, experimentation with the artist's chosen medium, and a desire to work with all the electronic arts tools. The portfolio should represent what the applicant considers to be their best work in any medium. Acceptable submissions include but are not limited to urls, DVDs, slides, artist books, CD-ROMs, video and audio recordings, music scores, etc. Candidates should anticipate the portfolio review to be completed in approximately 30 minutes and submit appropriately.

Scholarships

Teaching Assistants

Students assist Rensselaer faculty in their classroom and laboratory activities, gaining valuable experience as researchers, scholars, and teachers. Departments provide stipends and full-tuition waivers. Master’s students may spend a maximum of one year with internal support; doctoral students may spend a maximum of two years with internal support. Continued support can then be provided by means of research assistantships.

Research Assistants

Students work with the faculty in research-related tasks that further the student’s own graduate career and development as a researcher, scholar, and professional. Research assistants are paid a stipend and are given a full waiver of tuition.

Graduate Fellowships

Outstanding students may be awarded a university-supported Rensselaer Graduate Fellowship Award, which carries a full-tuition and fees scholarship and a minimum stipend of $21,500 per academic year. Students are nominated by their departments for Rensselaer Graduate Fellowship consideration.

Graduate Education Program (Russia)

Selected GEP Scholarship students are eligible for a renewable scholarship in the amount of 1,38 mln. rubles per year. Students in science and engineering fields are eligible for GEP funding. For application details and deadlines, please visit http://educationglobal.ru/en/. Applicants must be admitted to Rensselaer prior to finalizing the application for the GEP program.

Electronics Arts at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers students a comprehensive education in the design, development, and application of electronic systems and devices. The program emphasizes a strong foundation in electrical engineering principles, including circuit analysis, digital systems, signals and systems, and electromagnetics. Students also gain hands-on experience through laboratory work, project-based learning, and collaboration with industry partners. The curriculum integrates courses in computer engineering, programming, and embedded systems, preparing graduates for careers in electronic product development, biomedical devices, telecommunications, and consumer electronics. Rensselaer’s state-of-the-art labs and research centers provide an environment conducive to innovation and experimentation. The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches, combining principles from computer science, mechanical engineering, and materials science to solve complex electronic challenges. Students are involved in research projects, internships, and co-op opportunities that connect classroom knowledge with real-world industry applications. Graduates of the program are equipped with skills in designing, testing, and optimizing electronic systems, as well as understanding the ethical and societal implications of technological advancements. The faculty includes experienced professionals and researchers dedicated to mentoring students and advancing electronic arts through cutting-edge research. Overall, the program aims to produce versatile engineers capable of leading innovation in the rapidly evolving electronics industry, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and technical expertise.