Electronic Arts

The Master of Fine Arts in Electronic Arts degree program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is designed for students pursuing artistic and academic careers emphasizing electronic media. Admission is highly competitive, and applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree and display a high level of ability in any artistic medium. In addition to the standard transcripts, recommendations, and statement of background and goals, prospective students submit a portfolio of creative work. The primary consideration in the selection process is evidence of talent and commitment to personal development as a creative artist.

The M.F.A. degree requires 60 credit hours of coursework at Rensselaer, including up to nine credit hours of master's thesis. Completion of the degree generally takes two years. Independent creative work done under a faculty mentor's supervision is encouraged. The form of this creative work may include musical compositions and performances, videotapes and installations, multimedia presentations, performance art, and computer-generated or mediated images. The student's work at Rensselaer culminates in a required thesis project, submission of written thesis document, and a thesis defense. The thesis project is a major artistic effort and may include a full-length performance, installation, or exhibition.

All students are expected to develop competency in using various media available in the iEAR Studios as well as in the theoretical and critical issues relevant to their fields of interest. Since the program is geared towards preparing students to participate actively in the art and music communities, practical aspects of production and performance of creative work are emphasized.

• 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.