The Media Study BA (Production Concentration)/Arts Management MA deliberately links critical artistic and management inquiry to create a dynamic investigation of media, its production, and media arts environments. The positioning of students between management and production practice/discourse creates a divergent perspective designed to give students the versatility to enter, and then grow in the field, as an artist, a manager, and an artist/manager. 

Students selecting the Production concentration take basic level courses in multiple production areas, covering both camera-based and computer-based arts. It is our philosophy that students should be exposed to multiple media forms and systems to challenge perceptions and encourage experimentation. Through these multiple exposures students broaden their horizons and understand that no medium functions in isolation. Students continue to diversify their skills and interests at the intermediate level, and focus on one area at the advanced level.

Students then segue into questions of management and the arts, focusing on the increasingly complex cultural, socioeconomic, legal, and political systems that challenge sustainable arts environments. Students take courses in business and law; cultural theory as a foundation to understand changes in local, national, and international art landscapes; and finish with hands-on, experiential practice with existing arts entities and institutions.

When finished, graduates have developed not only skills in media production, but have accumulated highly sought after skills in writing, technology, presentation, and critical thinking vital to professional success in the 21st century. 

Prospective students must apply and be accepted to the University.  All freshmen who select this program on their UB application are listed as approved majors. New students will be contacted by the College of Arts and Sciences Student Advisement & Services office regarding initial course registration after paying their tuition deposit and completing the online Orientation Data Form.  The department welcomes all students; current UB students are welcome to apply to the Program, no prior knowledge is required.

For transfer students, media coursework taken at another institution is evaluated by faculty for credit in the Media Study program. Students should provide a transcript and syllabi for courses taken; work samples may be required for evaluation of production courses. A meeting with the departmental undergraduate advisor is recommended prior to registering. Transfer students who transfer in 50 credit hours or more and have college-level coursework in media production — film, video or digital arts — may be required to show their work for acceptance into this concentration.

To matriculate into the MA portion of the degree program, students will be required to have a 3.0 overall GPA and complete the requisite application materials for review by the graduate application committee (online application, academic essay, resume, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation).

Students may apply for the BA/MA program starting in their 5th semester (typically Fall of their Junior year). If approved, the student will be allowed to take graduate courses as early as their 6th semester and be granted conditional admission into the MA. At the end of the student’s 7th semester, faculty will evaluate student progress in graduate coursework and determine whether the student will be allowed to continue in the graduate program.

Interested students are encouraged to contact the Department of Media Study or the Arts Management Program as early as possible to discuss the curriculum and potential progress toward this degree.

For advising on the BA in Media Studies contact:

Bradley Hendricks
Department of Media Study
231 Center for the Arts
Email Bradley Hendricks

For advising on the Arts Management MA contact:

Kevin Leary
Assistant Director
Email Kevin Leary