Program Structure
This is a four-year Bachelor of Media Arts degree, majoring in New Music + Sound Arts. Your conceptual and hands-on learning will be enhanced through classes, seminars, self-directed projects, exhibitions and professional development. Students may earn credits through our Work Experience Program in years three and four.
You’ll graduate with an impressive body of original work and a blend of practice-based and theoretical skills that will prepare you to enter a range of media fields as a creative, thoughtful and critically-engaged artist.
First Year
All undergraduate programs begin with a Foundation Year, where you will explore art, design and media while developing essential creative, critical thinking and writing skills. Through hands-on projects, reading, dialogue and reflection, you’ll develop your voice, form connections and gain the confidence to choose your path forward.
NMSA students are encouraged to explore a range of technical and conceptual approaches to working with digital and electronic media. The core courses are built around introductory modules that explore sound, video, media installation/performance, digital fabrication, interactivity and electronics.
Second Year
In your second year, you’ll take courses in core courses in New Music + Sound Art as well as studio and critical studies electives. You can also select a minor at the end of your second year.
Sample required courses:
NMSA 200 New Media + Sound Arts Core I NMSA 210 New Media + Sound Arts Core II SOC 201 Intro to Cultural TheorySample electives:
NMSA 206: Creative Electronics NMSA 213: Media Installation + Relic TechnologyThird Year
The third year provides support for self-directed projects and research, helping students to focus their practices heading into their final year.
Sample required courses:
NMSA 300 New Media + Sound Practices SOCS 301 Meaning of New technologies FRMS 300 Art ForumsSample electives:
NMSA 326: Interactive Wearables SOUN 314: Creating & Composing Sound SOUN 300: Sound Production for Film + Animation SOUN 316: Sonic Objects + EnvironmentsFourth Year
In your final year, you’ll refine your practice through advanced studio and critical studies courses and a broad range of art + design electives. This year focuses on portfolio development, professional practice, and preparing for career opportunities. The fourth year provides time and resources to work on a larger self-directed piece, research project, or experimental process.
Sample required courses:
NMSA Senior Studio VAST 410 Senior Studio II VAST 420 Senior Studio ThematicSample electives:
SOUN 314 Creating & Composing Sound SOUN 316: Sonic Objects + EnvironmentsMinors
Students may declare a minor after completing their second year. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. To declare, download, complete, and submit the Declaration of Minor Form.
Available Minors
Elective Explorations
Students can choose electives that expand their skills and perspectives while supporting interdisciplinary learning.
Studio electives include animation, photography, illustration, ceramics, design, writing and more. Critical Studies electives cover art and design history, media, humanities, social science and science, helping students strengthen analytical and communication skills. Courses in Indigenous art, culture and ways of knowing are also offered.
Sample Electives
- Topics in Feminism, Gender,
Cultural Studies: Feminism
Without Borders - Painting: Strategies in Representational Painting
- Reciprocity and Land-Based Art
In Others’ Words
“The project enlightened me about the ethics of an artist to raise public awareness on what matters in the world. I collaborated on five research projects [at ECU] as well. All these projects made this emerging artist today who tries to raise awareness about local and global issues through her art, using media and sound.”
Mana Sei, NMSA Student