Online Master of Arts in Creative Technology

SMU’s New M.A. in Creative Technology

SMU’s Master of Arts in Creative Technology is a 100% virtual graduate program that launched in August of 2023. This unique graduate program combines creative and design disciplines with core and emerging digital technologies to generate innovative solutions that are growing in demand across industries.

Throughout this 30 credit-hour creative technology master’s degree program, you will be taught a wide spectrum of topics that will help prepare both creative and technical-oriented individuals to combine skill sets across interactive mediums, design, programming, blockchain and generative AI applications.

Upon graduation, you can gain the skills and knowledge to advance your career potential in graphic design, experience design, animation, augmented and virtual reality development, and more.

Priority Application Deadline: October 1, 2024
Apply by the priority deadline to waive your $75 application fee.

Application Deadline: December 1, 2024

Please fill out the form below to receive updates and more information about this new and innovative program.

Course Outline

Complete this master’s degree in as few as two years!

Two students working together at a computer The MACT curriculum includes 10 required courses, each 15 weeks long, with each course being three credit hours. The average class size is 18 students but can range between 12-24 students. Students are advised to take two courses per term, three terms per year (Fall, Spring, Summer). A sample sequence is listed below.

Year 1, Term 1

Introduction to Creative Coding - Students explore computation as a powerful generative medium while learning fundamentals of coding and computational thinking.

Principles of Digital Design - Students learn principles of design theory, as applied to screen-based and other technical applications and systems.

Year 1, Term 2

3D Modeling/Animation - Students learn 3D modeling and animation using leading software packages, such as Maya and Blender.

Creative Coding for the Web - Students learn the fundamentals of Web development, including an introduction to front-end, back-end and full-stack development.

Year 1, Term 3

Creative Coding for Application Development - Students learn advanced creative coding principles, across multiple programming languages and platforms, with an emphasis on Web3 technology.

Interactive and Experiential Design - Students explore holistic system design for innovative audience engagement and experience of places, environments, ideas and products.

Year 2, Term 1

Artificial Intelligence in the Metaverse - Students explore VR and immersive solutions across various platforms, systems and software stacks.

Mobile Computing and Augmented Reality - Utilizing multiple frameworks, students focus on mobile and AR application development and operating system integration for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Year 2, Term 2

Data Expression - Students are introduced to data as a motif for creative expression and storytelling with topics including visualization, sonification, social media data scraping and more.

Creative Technology Capstone - In consultation with a faculty advisor and approved capstone committee, students propose, design and implement an independent creative computing project.

Who Should Apply?

This program is ideal for students who have training in either the arts or technology, and who want to enhance their knowledge in new technical tools and creative processes.

Individuals looking to transition into a new career in creative or technology-related fields
Creative professionals who desire a deeper understanding of emerging technologies like AI, AR/VR and data visualization
Designers who want to augment their skill set with a greater understanding of programming languages and concepts
Software developers who are interested in design and the creative process
Individuals who have a passion for innovation and the creative application of technologies

FAQs

Students are expected to have access to a computer capable of running contemporary graphics software: Minimum 8 MB RAM, recommended 16MB or higher. Minimum 4GB VRAM, recommended 8GB or higher.

Coding is a part of the program although, no prior programming experience is necessary.

Both. However, synchronous courses will be in the evenings on weekdays at 6:30 CST.

Federal aid is the only funding available for students applying to the Creative Technology program. Your first step in funding college is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You cannot apply for, or receive, any financial aid from SMU until we have received either a FAFSA form or, if you don’t feel that you will qualify for need-based aid, a FAFSA waiver. Don't wait to be accepted to complete them - apply early, while you are submitting your applications. The U.S. Department of Education runs a variety of student financial assistance programs, which include grants and loans. Your eligibility for aid is determined by the information that you provide in the FAFSA. SMU will also use your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for scholarships, grants, and institutional aid. These forms are not required of international applicants.

about the FAFSA and apply. The SMU code is 003613. FAFSA must be filed each year for continued consideration of SMU, federal, and state funding.

Committees meet to evaluate completed applications following the deadline. We begin sending decisions within 2-3 weeks of a deadline.

The GRE (or the GMAT) is optional and there is no minimum score requirement. An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred but consideration will be given to those with a lower GPA upon completion of application and all supporting materials.

Yes. The TOEFL is required for all international applicants to a master's program in the Meadows School of the Arts.

IBT – minimum of 64 overall with minimums of 20 in speaking and listening and minimums of 12 in reading and writing (all variables must be met)
IELTS – minimum overall 6.0 with no section below 5.5
Computer – Minimum overall score of 193

Ready To Take The Next Step?

Meet the Program Director

Ira Greenberg
Professor and Director
Painting, Drawing and Creative Computation

With an eclectic background combining studio arts and computer science, Ira Greenberg has been a painter, 2D and 3D animator, print designer, web and interactive designer/developer, programmer, art director, creative director, managing director, art and computer science professor, and author. He wrote the first major language reference on the Processing programming language, Processing: Creative Coding and Computational Art (Berkeley, CA: friends of ED, 2007) and two subsequent creative coding texts. Greenberg holds a B.F.A. from Cornell University and an M.F.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Read more about Ira in the spotlight interview here.

Meet Our Faculty

Ira Greenberg

Professor and Director
Painting, Drawing and Creative Computation

Burke Jam

Visiting Professor

Melanie Clemmons

Associate Professor of Art
Digital/Hybrid Media
Director of Undergraduate Studies

David Gail Smith

Lecturer

Jeffrey Cavitt

Professor of Practice, Art & Team Game Production

Ruby Thelot

Visiting Professor

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