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Department of Media & Theatre Arts
Programs in MTA
The Department of Media and Theatre Arts (MTA) offers two distinct options
leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree either in Motion
Picture/Video/Theatre or in Photography, and
a Master of Fine Arts in Science & Natural
History Film.
Both the Motion Picture/Video/Theatre degree program and the Photography degree program are in heavy demand, therefore in order to preserve the integrity of student education. GPA gates are in place, allowing only a certain number of students to continue.
MPVT Gate Requirements
The Media and Theatre Arts/MPVT option will accept no more than 48 students into the sophomore year based in part on the students' GPA for the five required MTA freshman courses.
The MPVT gate GPA calculation is based solely on grades in MTA 101IA, MTA 102, MTA 103RA, MTA 104, and MTA 218D. In addition, to successfully pass through the gate, students must have completed 15 credits in the University core (including ENGL 121W and University Seminar) by the end of their freshman year. Admission to the sophomore year also requires submission of a portfolio. The portfolio will consist of one film selected from the individual projects shot in MTA 102 and a written statement. Candidates must submit a completed application form by April 30th for admission to the sophomore year the following fall semester. Portfolios are due on the last day of spring semester finals week. The department will notify students for the following semester on or before June 30th. When any of the five required first-year MTA courses have been attempted at MSU, a student's grade may change only by retaking that specific course in Media and Theatre Arts (i.e., no transfer credits or other substitutions for the specific course are permitted). In addition, admission to the upper division 300 and 400 level courses in Motion Picture/Video/Theatre requires a combined GPA of 3.0 in all departmental classes required at the 100 and 200 levels.
Motion Picture/Video/Theatre Option
In Motion/Picture/Video/ Theatre the curriculum begins with first-year foundation courses emphasizing an understanding and analysis of motion pictures and theatre and introduces students to the actual production process. Motion Picture/Video/Theatre requires that a student meet specific requirements (see MPVT gate requirements below). In the second year, students complete a series of eight skills classes related to film and theatre production. In the third year, students who qualify by attaining a minimum 3.0 GPA in their MTA requirements in the first two years build upon these basics through production process workshops required of all students in fiction film, non-fiction film and stage production. Additional course work in advanced film studies as well as professional practice courses and internship options compliment the upper division requirements. The individual student's capstone senior project is approved by the entire faculty and developed in consultation with a team of faculty advisors assigned to the project through a workshop process.
Photography Option
The curriculum in the Photography option offers both artistic and applied approaches to the medium, providing a solid foundation for those entering a professional field and those choosing to pursue postgraduate education. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the Photography option sets high standards for production and is one of the few comprehensive four-year photography degree programs in sizable geographical area of the north central and northwest United States. Coursework covers everything from traditional silver-based darkroom to alternative processes as well as a growing emphasis in digital technologies across the curriculum.
Photography students are required to complete MTA 103RA and MTA 106 with a grade of "B" or higher and pass a portfolio review in order to advance to the second year courses. Those accepted into the program will be required to purchase their own laptop computer which meets the specifications of the department by the fall semester of their sophomore year. Students will be notified of these specifications upon a successful portfolio review outcome in May. To advance to upper division courses, students must complete first and second year photography classes with a minimum average GPA of 2.75. The senior year consists of two semesters of weekly seminars for critique and discussion of independent capstone projects. Students are registered for these classes only if they meet the project proposal deadlines and specifications the semester before admittance, and if project proposals are approved by the photography faculty through written and verbal presentations.
For both the Motion Picture/Video/Theatre and the Photography Options, there are specific classes that are offered only in sequence. Taking courses out of sequence will delay graduation one full year. The sequential nature of the programs may specifically affect transfer students. Any prospective transfer student should send a list of courses that he/she has completed elsewhere or is in the process of completing, for evaluation by the Department of Media and Theatre Arts well in advance of registering at MSU. Students who intend to transfer should seek prior approval of credit taken elsewhere in order to be certain that these credits will count toward the degree in Motion Picture/Video/Theatre or Photography. In no case may a class completed with a grade below "C" elsewhere be applied toward the departmental requirements for the degree in either Motion Picture/Video/Theatre or Photography. Any class submitted by an entering student in the Motion Picture/Video/Theatre option for transfer toward any of the first-year requirements must be approved by a MPVT professor of the course for which transfer credit is sought and the MTA department head on the basis of a review of the syllabus of the course taken elsewhere. A challenge exam may be required for any transfer credit at the discretion of the course professor.
Transfer students may receive credit for course work similar to MTA 103RA and MTA 106. Such students are strongly encouraged to take these courses again at MSU. Our program features an intensive portfolio review based on technical and aesthetic criteria defined in our introductory courses. Transfer credit for MTA 103RA and/or MTA 106 does not guarantee a satisfactory portfolio review.
Course fees are assessed to all students enrolled in MTA 102 and MTA 103. Students who have declared a major in either option or a double major which includes Media/Theatre Arts are charged a program fee per semester (subject to annual increase) beginning their sophomore year.
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