Worcester Polytechnic Institute

What you'll study

The Media Arts programme emphasises practical media production alongside critical study of media, visual culture and interactive design. Core areas include digital video production, sound design and audio production, motion graphics and 2D/3D animation, interactive media and web/multiplatform storytelling. Students also study media theory, visual communications, narrative and documentary practice, and elective subjects that can include game art, AR/VR basics, and computational media.

Teaching is studio‑based and project‑led. Typical modules or topics you will encounter are:

• Digital Video Production — camera work, lighting, editing workflows and production planning.
• Audio and Sound Design — location sound, post‑production and soundscapes for film and interactive media.
• Animation and Motion Graphics — frame‑based and procedural approaches, compositing and visual effects.
• Interactive Media and UX — interface design, prototyping, and authoring for web and mobile platforms.
• Media Theory and History — critical frameworks, media ethics and cultural context for media makers.
• Studio Projects and Production Workshops — team projects that mirror industry pipelines and build a professional portfolio.
• Major Qualifying Project (MQP) — a year‑long or semester capstone in which students plan and deliver a substantial media artefact or interactive project, often interdisciplinary and client‑facing.

Students are encouraged to take complementary technical courses in computer science, graphic design or engineering, and to make use of cross‑departmental collaborations. Portfolio development and career preparation are integrated throughout the programme.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school diploma with a record of strong performance in core subjects. Typical admission expects competency in written communication and evidence of creative aptitude. You will normally be asked to submit a portfolio of creative work or media projects that demonstrates technical ability, storytelling sense and creative potential; this can include video clips, animation reels, audio samples, web projects or design work.

Other admissions considerations include academic transcripts, a personal statement outlining your interest in media arts, and letters of recommendation. Standard preparatory subjects include English and coursework that demonstrates analytical and problem‑solving skills; experience with digital tools, media production or programming is beneficial but not always required. Check the university's admissions pages for specific guidance on portfolio format and any test or GPA expectations.

Career prospects

Graduates from Media Arts at WPI go into a broad range of creative and technical roles. Typical career destinations include video producer, editor, motion graphics artist, animation artist, sound designer, UX/UI or interaction designer, web developer with a media specialism, multimedia journalist, and content strategist. Because the programme emphasises project management and teamwork, graduates also move into production management, creative technology roles in education and cultural institutions, and start‑up roles in media and interactive entertainment.

The programme's hands‑on portfolio focus and the Major Qualifying Project are key assets when seeking employment or freelance work. Alumni frequently find roles in film and television production companies, digital agencies, game studios, museums and educational technology companies, or continue into postgraduate study in media, design or computational fields.

Why study at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is known for its project‑based, interdisciplinary approach to education, and the Media Arts programme benefits from that culture. Students gain extensive hands‑on experience through studio courses, team projects and the institution's signature project experiences, including the Major Qualifying Project (MQP) and cross‑disciplinary projects that bring together students from arts, engineering and computer science.

The campus offers dedicated media production facilities and maker spaces, access to digital labs and industry‑standard software and hardware, and opportunities to collaborate with science and engineering faculty on technologically ambitious media work. Career services, industry contacts through faculty, and a focus on building a professional portfolio help students transition into the creative industries or further study.