Program Overview

The NYFA Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies is an eight-semester program designed to focus on the study of current and emerging media arts and the theoretical underpinnings necessary for understanding media's impact in today's society. The goal of the program is not only to prepare students for the rapidly changing landscape of the entertainment industry, but also to turn out thoughtful consumers, critics, and producers of media.

Students in the media studies BA program will build the critical, creative, and analytical skills needed to examine and understand current and future trends in media, as well as reach a deep understanding of the history and development of various forms of media in society. An exploration of media theory, history, criticism, media arts, pop culture, communication, and business are enhanced by NYFA’s hands-on approach to practical filmmaking and multi-platform content development.

The media studies BA program’s curriculum is structured to ensure that students are continually challenged both creatively and academically, and is integrated with NYFA’s liberal arts and sciences curriculum to offer a well-rounded education within a challenging field of study.

The BA in Media Studies combines three areas of content focus: critical studies, communication and marketing, and interactive narrative.

Critical studies allow students to research and analyze the historical development of the media and entertainment industry as well as learning the fundamentals of critical theory. Communication and marketing courses show how to design, create, and implement tools and techniques used in various aspects of media. These techniques include aspects of design, psychology, and mass communication to engage audiences and consumers in all aspects of media. Interactive narrative covers traditional forms of storytelling and production methods as well emerging methods, such as game design and transmedia story building, which allows students to create their own unique intellectual properties as part of the curriculum.

The media studies bachelor’s degree program combines seminars, lectures, and intense hands-on content creation, instilling students with the skills, understanding, and inspiration necessary to continue their scholarly and creative work well into the 21st century.

Media Studies Ba: Learning Objectives
The strength of the NYFA Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies Degree is in its combination of media theory and media practice. Students will develop and present essays and academic studies on media, as well as creating professional-caliber emerging media pitch presentations, business plans, scripts, budgets, and ultimately completed content. The program is further enhanced through internships and NYFA’s collaboration with industry-leading emerging media companies. Students will be prepared to either work hand-in-hand with professionals in the traditional and emerging media industries or advance to the next, appropriate level of graduate study.

• Students will display a working knowledge of historical and contemporary media innovators and technologies — and their impact on current trends in global media.
• Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of international storytelling practices through the development, collaboration and completion of scripts and content across multiple platforms.
• Students will exhibit an understanding and application of the psychology, financing, and marketing strategies and practices used in both traditional and emerging models of media.
• Students will be able to evaluate both communication technologies as an agent of social change and the ethical and legal considerations in working with digital media.
• Students will be able to communicate the impact of media and different distribution platforms on society.