Media and the Performing Arts, BFA
Mass Communications, Creative & Performing Arts & Speech (MCCPAS) Department
Program Overview
Take Center Stage
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’.
Major
Description
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a professional, intensive, four-year degree designed for students who want to be creators, artists, and producers from day one!
Unlike a traditional BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree, which is broader, the BFA demands a deep, hands-on focus on your art. Your studies will be split between essential general education classes and a huge amount of studio work, performance, and technical training in your chosen area.
What Makes the BFA Different?
This degree is all about making and doing. You won’t just read about media or performance; you’ll be actively producing, directing, editing, designing, and performing. You’ll gain mastery in:
- Production Skills: Learn the technical side of film, video, sound, and digital media.
- Performance: Hone your skills in acting, dance, and stagecraft.
- Design and Theory: Understand the history, theory, and design elements that make art powerful.
If you have a passion for media and performance and are ready to dedicate yourself to becoming a working artist, the BFA is the perfect choice for you!
Student
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
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Demonstrate integrated knowledge of media and performing arts disciplines by applying aesthetic, theoretical, and technical principles appropriate to their area of concentration -
Create and present original or interpretive artistic work that reflects professional standards in media production and/or performance-based practices. -
Apply technical, creative, and performance skills using industry relevant tools, technologies, rehearsal processes, and production methods. -
Collaborate effectively in ensemble, production, or project-based environments, demonstrating professional communication, accountability, and ethical practice. -
Critically evaluate creative work and artistic processes, using discipline appropriate language to analyze, revise, and improve artistic outcomes. -
Situate artistic practice within cultural, historical, and professional contexts, demonstrating awareness of how media and performing arts engage issues of society, identity, and career pathways.
Major
Requirements
As part of your degree, you must fulfill the CUNY Pathways general education requirements, which consist of the Common Core (Required and Flexible) and the Medgar Evers College Option. These courses provide the essential quantitative, scientific, and socio-cultural literacy that complements your technical training.
Required Core Courses (19 Courses)
Complete all of the following courses
- Lower Level Core: ART 108, SPCH 102 DNCE 150, MED 150, MASS 200
- Upper Level Core: MED 301, SPTH 325 OR MUS 401, MASS 400, MPA 420, MPA 425
- Departmental Electives: Earn at least 12 credits from approved courses (e.g., MUS 300, SPTH 339, ART 403, MED 442).
Concentration
- Media & Performing Arts Concentration (24 Credits):
- Required Courses: ART 301, PERF 301, PERF 307, PERF 310, PERF 340, MED 341, ART 410, MED 497
Degree Map
This Degree Map is your step-by-step game plan for earning your Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Media and Performing Arts. Think of it as a personalized itinerary that lays out exactly which classes you should take each semester to make sure you graduate on time.
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help
If you have questions regarding the Department of Mass Communication or need assistance navigating the application process, please reach out to our department office.
Chairperson: Glenn Mcmillan | gmac@mec.cuny.edu
Phone: 718 270-4929 Fax: 718 270-4828
Location: 1650 Bedford Avenue, B-1003 M