The department provides instructional programs designed to prepare students to assume leadership roles in the media arts as independent artists or as members of industries such as film, television and cable television.
Course work focuses upon history, theory, criticism, production and management of the media arts.
The department offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts with a major in media arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in media arts. Advanced students have opportunities to obtain preprofessional experience through the department's internship program, through work on various departmental projects. The department strongly recommends that students develop basic typing and computer word processing skills prior to taking courses in media arts. The department participates in the honors program. The department participates in career specializations such as electronic journalism through the interdisciplinary studies major.