Independent Film and Digital Imaging, M.F.A.

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The interdisciplinary Master of Fine Arts in Independent Film and Digital Imaging is a terminal degree in the applied arts offered through the College of Arts and Sciences .

Coursework for the Master of Fine Arts in Independent Film and Digital Imaging leads to specialized knowledge, creative development, and advanced technological skills in the applied digital arts of image making and media production.

Beyond taking the required courses, students plan their specific programs in consultation with their advisors, adapting the degree path’s selective sequences to their individual needs and interests. Graduates of the program will work in career areas such as higher education, filmmaking, graphic design, photography, 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, web design, consulting, producing, media writing, TV production/direction, and training.

Special Admissions Requirements

Applications for admission are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications for admission are available from the GSU Office of Admissions and the Division of Arts & Letters.

In addition to meeting university admission criteria, applicants must:

Submit to the Office of Admission
1. Evidence of an undergraduate degree, preferably in a related field (media, multimedia, communications, English, or the liberal arts).
2. Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Graduate courses can be substituted but the cumulative G.P.A. must be a 3.0 or better;
Submit to the IFDI Program Coordinator
1. Sample Work:
  1. for students in digital imaging, this entails a web link to stills;
  2. for students in digital filmmaking, this entails a sample of a prior production on shared on a streaming platform such as Vimeo or YouTube;
2. A personal essay or statement of intent, not less than one page in length, stating applicant’s goals for the degree.
  
  Note: applicants may be asked to participate in personal interviews at the discretion of the M.F.A. Admissions Committee. The M.F.A. Admissions Committee reserves the right to admit promising students on a conditional basis.

Recommended Preparation

Admitted students will have maintained a GPA of 3.0 over the course of completing an undergraduate degree. All students must submit a portfolio demonstrating creative promise.

While admission to the program does not require an undergraduate major in Film, Video, or Photography, an undergraduate major in these or in one of the following fields is: media, multimedia, communications, English, speech, or liberal arts. In addition, students are expected to have demonstrable competence in digital technology and in oral and written communication.

Admission to Candidacy

After admission as a degree-seeking student, a student also must apply for candidacy. Application for candidacy should be made at the beginning of the semester in which the student expects to fulfill the candidacy requirements. Application forms are available in the college office. To qualify for degree candidacy, a student must:

completion of the following core courses IFDI-6544 IFDI-8100 , and IFDI-6702 with a grade of “B” or better;
completion of 12 hours from the selective sequences with a grade point average of 3.0 or better; and
completion of an approved proposal for both a thesis project and internship.

More detailed candidacy information is available through the division office or the student’s advisor.

Internship and Thesis/Project

As part of this degree program, students will pursue both an internship and thesis/project.

The student independently pursues a field-related internship and develops an agreement with the assistance of the internship site coordinator. Upon approval of the coordinator, the student may register for IFDI - 8800 Internship with a GSU coordinator. The GSU coordinator must be a full-time faculty in ART, MCOM, or IFDI.

In the thesis/project, the student selects a committee consisting of a thesis/project advisor and two additional faculty members, and then develops a proposal acceptable to the committee. Faculty advisors and readers must be drawn from full-time faculty in IFDI, ART, or MCOM. Students may register for IFDI-8990 once the committee has approved the student’s proposal. The student then completes a project/production with the guidance of the thesis/project advisor. A paper must accompany all projects submitted for evaluation. Once the project is completed and approved by the committee, a grade is assigned.

Minimum Degree Requirements

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to complete requirements for the MFA. A grade lower than “B” taken in any course will not be counted toward graduation.

Prerequisite courses:

The following undergraduate pre-requisite courses or their equivalent are required to begin the IFDI MFA program.

Common Core - Required Courses: (21-27 hours)

NOTE:

Not all courses are offered in all years or all terms.

Many courses are offered just once per calendar year. Students are strongly advised to arrange appointments to consult with their advisors prior to beginning the program.

Theory and Aesthetics Selectives (9-15 hours)

Select Two to Four of the Following:

Applied Courses Selectives (21-31 hours)

Select Five to Eight of the following:

Electives (0-9 hours)

Up to 9 (nine) credit hours taken at Governors State University, drawn from the Liberal Arts and at the 5000 level and higher, may be counted toward total credit hours allowable for graduation.