Media and the Performing Arts, BFA

Mass Communication Department

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Program Overview

Media and the Performing Arts, BFA

Are you ready to jump into the fast-paced world of digital media, film, and performance? The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Media and The Performing Arts is a four-year, 120-credit degree designed to turn your creative passion into professional skill. This program is hands-on and career-focused, preparing you to be an artist, creator, and technologist across various media, from TV production and digital choreography to radio and theater arts. You’ll need to maintain a 2.0 GPA and pass all major courses with a minimum grade of ‘C’.

Credits Required
At least 78 credits
GPA Required
2.0 or higher
Degree Designation
Bachelor of Fine Arts

Major

Description

As a B.F.A. student, you won’t just study media—you’ll produce it. This major is highly interdisciplinary, merging traditional performing arts with cutting-edge digital technology. You’ll master essential skills like speech and visual communication before diving deep into upper-level production courses. The program culminates in a Senior Seminar and a required Internship (MPA 425), giving you real-world experience and portfolio material before you even graduate. If you’re looking for a degree that blends art, technology, and performance, this is your stage.

Course

Requirements

To earn your B.F.A. in Media and The Performing Arts (120 credits total), you must meet these requirements:

  1. General Education Requirements (Required Core & Flexible Core)
    • English Composition: ENGL 112, ENGL 150
    • Math & Quantitative Reasoning: MTH 115 or a higher-level STEM variant (e.g., MTH 136)
    • Life and Physical Sciences: BIO 101 or PHS 101
    • Flexible Core Areas: Complete one course in each of the five Flexible Core areas (World Cultures, U.S. Experience, Creative Expressions, Individual & Society, Scientific World) plus one additional course from any Flexible Core area.
  2. College Option Requirements (9 Credits)
    • Socio-Cultural and Diversity Cluster III: Choose 1 course (e.g., ART 201, SPAN 101, ENGL 360).
    • Integrative Knowledge Cluster IV:
      • Humanities: Choose 1 course (e.g., ENGL 333, FREN 102).
      • Social & Behavioral Sciences: Choose 1 course (e.g., HIST 300).
      • Natural Sciences & Mathematics: Choose 1 course (e.g., ENVS 200).
  3. Major Requirements (51+ Credits)
    Complete all of the following courses

    • Lower Level Core: ART 108 (Visual Comm.), SPCH 102 (Speech), DNCE 150 (Dance History), MED 150 (Mass Comm.), MASS 200 (Intro to Digital Tech.)
    • Upper Level Core: MED 301 (Adv. Broadcasting), SPTH 325 (African-American Theater) OR MUS 401 (African Diaspora Music), MASS 400 (Adv. Digital Tech.), MPA 420 (Senior Seminar), MPA 425 (Internship)
    • Media & Performing Arts Concentration (24 Credits): ART 301 (Computer Graphics), PERF 301 (Digital Choreography), PERF 307 (Media Acting), PERF 310 (Digital Composition), PERF 340 (Digital Music for Dance), MED 341 (Radio Prod. I), ART 410 (Digital Photography), MED 497 (TV Prod. I)
    • Departmental Electives: Earn at least 12 credits from approved courses (e.g., MUS 300, SPTH 339, ART 403, MED 442).