NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts is launching an interdisciplinary undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Interactive Media Arts (IMA). The IMA program starts from the proposition that computation — the ability to code, learn new software, manipulate data, and create physical+digital interactions — is an essential creative capability, and that students who master those capabilities will be well-placed to invent the future. We are now accepting applications for our inaugural class in the Fall of 2018.

We believe in learning by doing. We believe you can understand a tool only after you’ve used it, rather than the other way around. We believe surprises are more educational than confirmation. We believe that making technology fit human lives requires both theoretical grounding and iterated creative practice.

This approach has been very effective for the past 40 years at the Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), one of the first and most prominent programs in the world for creative technology. ITP is a two-year graduate program located in the Tisch School of the Arts, whose mission is to explore the imaginative use of communications technologies — we describe ourselves as The Center for Exploration of the Recently Possible. Students use technology to augment, improve, and bring delight and art into people’s lives. This is the inspiration for the BFA program, and IMA BFA students will share facilities and faculty with ITP.

The IMA BFA program will collaborate and work closely with both the ITP graduate program and the existing Integrated Digital Media (IDM) BS program at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering.

Prospective students can apply to either the Tisch IMA BFA program or Tandon IDM BS program based on their interests and must complete their respective degree requirements. The Tisch BFA degree is accompanied by an arts and liberal arts core. The Tandon BS degree is accompanied by an engineering core. However, the two programs will share a great deal of facilities, faculty, and elective courses.

Through our ongoing collaborations with NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, as well as NYU Shanghai and NYU Abu Dhabi, we believe there is a powerful synergy in place, one that brings together the arts, technology, and engineering.

No! You do not have to be a programmer or designer before joining IMA. In fact, the more diverse your background the better! We would love to see dancers, poets, philosophers, biologists, tinkerers, actors, musicians as well as programmers and designers all mix together and make something creative using interactive technology. The technical skills and learning how to code will be incorporated in the IMA curriculum.

We don’t want to solely focus on the skills though. Rather, we want our students to explore the potential of interactive media from a human and communications perspective. Your ideas around the uses of the technology is the focus, not the tools.

Freshman Application Deadlines

We do not have rolling admissions nor Spring admissions. All incoming students will begin in the Fall semester. Please note that students are not deferred from Early Decision, and all admissions decisions are final.

If you are currently a matriculated degree student at NYU, you may apply for an internal transfer by completing the online application. Applicants are required to submit creative materials to supplement their application. You will be sent a link to upload your materials after you submit your transfer application. See the Creative Materials page for more details.

You can find instructions for internal transfers here. Students must be enrolled in the department to which they were originally admitted for one full year before they may change majors to another department within the Tisch School of the Arts. If you entered Tisch as a transfer student, your transfer credit from your previous college may not apply towards your new degree requirements or may be applied differently. All transfer credit is subject to the policies and procedures of your new department. Tisch Internal Transfer Process:

1. You are required to obtain the signature of your current department chair.
2. Applicants are required to submit creative materials. See Creative Materials page. You will be sent a link to upload your creative materials after you submit your application.
3. Write a 1 page essay why you wish to change majors to another department.
4. Submit your application to Patricia Decker, Director of Recruitment, Office of Student Affairs, Tisch School of the Arts, 726 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York NY 10003, or email patricia.decker@nyu.edu

Yes, external transfers will be considered. All transfer students must start coursework in the Fall semester and spend a minimum of 4 semesters at IMA in order to complete the 128 credits needed to complete the BFA. The maximum number of transfer credits that a student can bring to IMA is 64 credits which are typically awarded towards general education and elective requirements. Please complete the online application for transfer which is due April 1. Applicants are required to submit creative materials. See Creative Materials page.

IMA is also participating in the NYU CCTOP program which is a scholarship and assistance program which supports the transition for up to 2 transfer students from local community colleges into NYU. Students must apply both as an external transfer to NYU and through the CCTOP program.

It can be difficult to double major with another Tisch major because all Tisch departments are studio-based, their curriculum follows a strict schedule. As long as your double major or minor does not interfere with your department work it is not a problem. All incoming students are assigned a departmental advisor who will assist with any curricular questions. If you are interested in pursuing a double major or minor, you should start by researching the major/minor requirements, then speak with an advisor in the secondary department at NYU. NYU’s College of Arts & Science (CAS) works well with our program.

Application for a second major should be made after the freshman year has been completed. IMA will remain your primary department, but students will work closely with advisors from both departments to make sure they are on track to graduate on time.

To double-major in any department where there is an approved second major, you must first discuss the requirements of the major with a representative of that department. Please refer to the double major form on the Tisch Student Affairs website. Once approved, the second major is recorded on the official transcript.

Starting Fall 2019, IMA will be available as a Minor degree for students at the Tisch School of the Arts only. For more information, please click here.

Yes, we love international students! Please view the international freshman applicant requirements and steps to apply on the Undergraduate Admissions website. Applicants are allowed to submit optional creative materials. See IMA Apply page.

NYU also welcomes applications for transfer admission from international applicants. More international transfer information can be found on the Undergraduate Admissions website. Additionally, more resources for international students can be found on the Tisch Student Affairs website.

During the summer sessions, all IMA classes are open to visiting and non-matriculating students.

During the academic year, NYU Tisch offers a semester long, visiting student program called Semester at Tisch. The semester at Tisch IMA program is open to visiting undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors. For one semester (Fall or Spring), a student can matriculate at Tisch and take 12 to 18 credits including some of our core curriculum. Internships are also available through this program. For more information, please visit the Special Programs site. We also offer a limited selection of classes each semester that are open to all currently matriculated NYU students. Please check our website for our current selection of non-major course offerings.

Tuition and Fees for full-time undergraduate Tisch School of the Arts students can be found on the NYU Bursar website. Select the specific academic year and choose Undergraduate, Tisch School of the Arts.  The Cost of Attendance webpage is also is helpful.

No standardized tests are required.  You are of course welcome to submit them if you wish.  Instead creative materials or a portfolio are required.

Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid electronically – the fastest and most accurate method of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may find more information at the Tisch Financial Aid website.