PhD: Emergent Technologies and Media Art Practices

The Emergent Technologies and Media Arts Practices (ETMAP) PhD is a practice-led program of scholarly research and exploration of media practices, theories and innovations in art and technology. Students both experiment with and research the media and artistic practices that they study. The ultimate goal is a substantive dissertation and media-based project that situates media art making within broad cultural and art historical perspectives.

Designed to be completed in four years, the program requires 72 credit hours, a First Year Review, Comprehensive Exam, Prospectus Defense and Dissertation Defense. There is a high degree of flexibility in the curriculum, with students choosing up to 15 credit hours of guided electives and independent study, including courses and independent study with faculty in other departments. After admission to candidacy, students conduct scholarly and creative research over three semesters (30 credit hours), culminating in a dissertation that makes a unique contribution to the field of media arts and technology.

The program takes seriously the balance of theory and practice. The dissertation consists of two equally important components: a written dissertation and a media-based project. Students are expected to be both scholars and creative artists.

*The ETMAP PhD is a STEM designated degree, and international students who graduate from the program qualify for STEM OPT, allowing them to stay in the U.S. for an additional 24 months.

Application Deadlines

For U.S. and international students, the application deadline is December 1.

The ETMAP PhD is a four-year degree program requiring the successful completion of 72 credit hours of coursework, a First Year Review, Comprehensive Exam, Prospectus Defense and Dissertation Defense.

ETMAP OVERVIEW (72 credit hours)

I. ETMAP Fundamentals (24 credit hours)

            CMDP 7100 (3) Historical Overview of Technology and Art

            CMDP 7200 (3) Research and Methodologies I

            CMDP 7300 (3) Theories of the Avant-Garde

            CMDP 7450 (3) Comprehensive Exam Seminar

            CMDP 7500 (3) Production Methods I (x4)

II. Dissertation Development (3 credit hours)

            CMDP 8100 (3) Dissertation Development Seminar

III. Guided Electives and/or Independent Study (15 credit hours)

            Guided Elective, within or outside DCMP (repeatable)

            Independent Study, within or outside DCMP (repeatable)

IV. Dissertation (30 credit hours)

            CMDP 8991 (1-10) Dissertation and Project Guidance (repeatable)

In the Comprehensive Exam, students must demonstrate their proficiency and understanding of the fundamental historical and theoretical concepts explored and developed in prior coursework. Students advance to candidacy after the Prospectus Defense.

The dissertation must include practical as well as written theoretical components. Students are expected to publicly present their media-based project before the Dissertation Defense.

PhD applicants must:

  • Hold at least a baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited college or university and provide transcripts from every institution attended.
  • Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75.
  • If international, provide TOEFL or IELTS scores.
  • Provide three letters of recommendation.
  • Provide a statement of purpose.
  • Provide a portfolio of relevant media work, such as video, photographs, sound pieces, websites and other media art projects. Format preference is Vimeo. Please include a link to your online portfolio in your personal statement.
  • Provide a writing sample of at least 2500 words.
 

In the online application, select ETMAP-PHD as the academic plan.

For review and decision purposes you are required to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) in the online application. We require one copy of the scanned transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you attended. This includes community colleges, summer sessions and extension programs. While credits from one institution may appear on the transcript of another institution, unofficial transcripts must be submitted from each institution, regardless of the length of attendance and whether or not courses were completed. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered to be a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of your admission or dismissal from the university.

ONLY after you are recommended for admission will you need to provide official transcripts.

Instructions for Uploading Unofficial Transcripts to Your Application (scroll to 'Uploading Unofficial Transcripts in the Application')

Resources

FAQ | Online Application | International Students Online Application

Expenses and Housing

Funding |  |  | Bill Estimator | 

Research assistantships, teaching assistantships and fellowships are available. Please request financial support as part of the application.

Contact

For more information about this program, please contact the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies or CMCI Graduate Advising.

Reece Auguiste
Associate Chair of Graduate Studies
Email: reece.auguiste@colorado.edu
Phone: 303-735-8327
Office: STAD Gate 7, Suite 255-10

CMCI Graduate Advising
Email: cmcigrad@colorado.edu
Phone: 303-735-0730
Office: Case W361

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