Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.S. in Media Arts and Sciences
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Media Arts and Sciences at UB is a 36-credit hour program that provides an intense exposure to fundamental concepts and techniques underlying state-of-the-art media practices. It is ideal for students with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree who wish to bridge the gap between technical rigor and creative expression. The program offers multiple pathways, allowing students to customize their combination of STEM courses with media arts theory and practice. The program ultimately culminates in an M.S. Thesis or a research project, or a combination of both, under faculty guidance.
Curriculum: The 36-credit curriculum for the M.S. in Media Arts and Sciences includes a combination of required courses in media theory, media culture, media production, and computer science, along with a significant number of STEM electives. Required courses typically include "Physical Computing," "Networked Media," "Media Theory," "Computer Science for Non-Majors I," and "Computational Media." Students also take an additional elective in Media Study or Art to broaden their knowledge. A substantial portion of the curriculum (12 credits) is dedicated to science/engineering electives from departments outside of Media Study, such as bioinformatics/biostatistics, biology, computer science, geography, mathematics, or electrical engineering. The program culminates in 6 credits of project or thesis guidance.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Media Arts and Sciences at UB boasts a strong research focus on the convergence of scientific methodologies and artistic creativity in media. Students and faculty explore cutting-edge areas such as Gaming, Mobile, Social and Computational Media, Virtual Reality, Bio Art, and Interaction Design. The program encourages research that addresses problems like applying artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and techniques to interface design for wearable devices, or identifying bias in machine learning algorithms and datasets. This cross-disciplinary approach prepares students for unique research and professional activities, emphasizing both theoretical inquiry and practical application in the evolving landscape of media and technology.
Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Media Arts and Sciences program at UB is highly relevant to current industry demands, particularly in the rapidly evolving fields of design, usability, and user-facing engineering. The program's combination of design thinking with engineering procedures directly addresses challenges faced by modern tech companies and creative industries. Graduates are well-suited for positions that require a blend of technical expertise and creative problem-solving. While specific mandatory internships are not explicitly detailed for this program, the emphasis on practical application through projects and the development of in-demand skills naturally positions graduates for strong industry engagement. The curriculum prepares students for roles in emerging fields that leverage computational and media expertise.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Media Arts and Sciences at UB inherently fosters a global perspective through its exploration of how new technologies change expression, communication, learning, and interaction worldwide. The program's focus on areas like "interfaces for wearable devices that speak intuitively to people across generations and cultures" demonstrates an explicit consideration of diverse user needs and global applicability. By combining scientific procedures with artistic practices, students are encouraged to think about the universal and culturally specific impacts of media. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body and faculty, which further enriches the learning environment with varied global viewpoints and a broader understanding of how media and technology shape societies around the world.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Media Arts and Sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) is a pioneering graduate program that uniquely bridges STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with the creative practices of art and design. Housed within the Department of Media Study, this program is tailored for students aiming to integrate design thinking with engineering methodologies to address complex, multidisciplinary challenges. UB's M.S. in Media Arts and Sciences equips graduates with the interdisciplinary expertise needed for cutting-edge roles in design, usability, user-facing engineering, and advanced computational- and media-focused Ph.D. programs, emphasizing both theoretical inquiry and practical, hands-on application.
UX/UI Designer (User Experience/User Interface Designer): Graduates apply design principles, human-computer interaction knowledge, and technical skills to create intuitive, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing interfaces for software, websites, and mobile applications.
Interaction Designer: This role focuses on how users interact with products and systems. Graduates design interactive experiences, often involving physical computing, virtual reality, or augmented reality, ensuring engaging and effective user journeys.
Creative Technologist: Combining artistic vision with technical proficiency, creative technologists develop innovative solutions for advertising, media, and entertainment. They might build interactive installations, create generative art, or develop custom software for creative projects.
Game Designer/Developer: Graduates can contribute to the design and development of video games, from concept creation and narrative design to coding game mechanics, user interfaces, and interactive elements.
Computational Media Artist/Researcher: These professionals blend artistic practice with computational methods to create new forms of media art, often involving algorithms, data visualization, and interactive installations. They may work in academic research, art institutions, or creative studios.
Multimedia Designer/Producer: With skills in various media forms (video, audio, animation, interactive elements), graduates can create and produce multimedia content for marketing, education, entertainment, and web platforms.
Digital Product Manager: Leveraging their understanding of both technology and user experience, graduates can manage the lifecycle of digital products, from conception and development to launch and iteration, ensuring products meet user needs and business goals.
Front-End Developer (with Design Focus): For those with strong coding skills, this role involves building the user-facing parts of websites and applications, with an added advantage of strong design sensibility and understanding of user experience principles from their media arts background.
Research & Development Scientist (Media/Tech): Graduates can work in R&D departments of technology companies or research labs, exploring new media technologies, developing prototypes, and conducting experiments at the intersection of media, computing, and design.
Academic Researcher / Doctoral Student: The program's rigorous blend of theoretical inquiry and practical application provides an excellent foundation for pursuing a Ph.D. in Media Studies, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, or related interdisciplinary fields, leading to careers in academia and advanced research.
