Interactive Media, M.F.A.

Explore technology, design,
and human behavior at
the University of Miami.

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Part and Full-Time Available

45-Credit Degree

Empowering Your M.F.A. journey

At the University of Miami, we don’t just teach interactive media – we challenge you to lead it. Our students are the best of the best, drive by a passion for innovation and an insatiable curiosity. Here, you’ll need more than talent; you’ll need the grit to turn visionary ideas into groundbreaking realities.

Research & Creativity

Are you ready to push the limits of what’s possible in digital media?

Collaboration

Do you have what it takes to work with the brightest minds across disciplines?

Experiential Learning

Can you turn real-world challenges into opportunities for innoviation?

Cutting-Edge Courses

Wearable Technologies, Design with Al, e-Sports, Character Design and more.

Accelerated 2-Year Degree

Dive into your career even sooner compared to traditional three-year programs.

Financial Support

Graduate Assistantships and funded roles can provide financial support to students. Learn more.

At-a-Glance

  • Focus: Human-computer interaction, creative coding, UX/UI design, game design, data visualization, and emerging media.

  • Degree: Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) — a terminal degree preparing graduates for academic, creative, and leadership roles.

  • Credits: 45 credit hours
  • Timeline: Typically completed in 2 years (full-time) or up to 3 years (part-time).

  • Capstone Requirement: A culminating project that demonstrates research, design, and development mastery.

  • Specializations: Interaction Design, Game Design, Interactive Storytelling, Information Design & Visualization.

  • Program Structure: Multidisciplinary curriculum uniting design, technology, and human behavior through studio-based learning.

  • Financial Support: Graduate Assistantships and tuition waivers provide financial support to qualified students. Learn more.

Design. Build. Transform.

The Master of Fine Arts in Interactive Media at the University of Miami prepares a new generation of creative leaders to push the boundaries of digital design and technology. The program combines cutting-edge technical expertise with visionary design thinking, bringing together diverse minds to push the frontiers of user experience, game design, human-computer interaction, data visualization, wearables, virtual reality, and emerging technologies. Through hands-on research, prototyping, and collaboration, students create impactful interactive experiences that connect technology, human behavior, and communication.

Explore some of our cutting-edge featured courses:

Craft captivating games and interactive experiences that inspire and engage. Through iterative prototyping and industry-standard tools, you’ll fine-tune your creative and technical skills, building a dynamic portfolio of innovative projects.

Collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to tackle real-world challenges alongside partners like museums, NGOs, and startups. Research, ideate, and prototype transformative solutions, often advancing to full-scale implementation with national acclaim.

Master the art of designing intuitive interfaces grounded in human cognition and behavior. Apply UX research, design principles, and usability testing to create impactful digital solutions for sectors like healthcare, communication technologies and education.

Deepen your technical expertise by exploring diverse prototyping tools and mechanics. Design compelling, playable experiences that evoke meaning and emotion, refining your ability to create resonant digital systems.

Build the foundation to shape immersive 3D environments and virtual realities. Using game engines and cutting-edge platforms, you’ll expand your coding expertise while creating bold, innovative projects in VR and mixed reality.

Transform your boldest vision into a rigorously developed, research-driven prototype. With expert faculty guidance and peer feedback, you’ll lay the groundwork for your MFA Capstone, a defining project that showcases your leadership in interactive media.

See Complete Academic Curriculum

What graduate here?

Graduates of the M.F.A. in Interactive Media at the University of Miami are prepared to thrive as innovators, researchers, and creative leaders. Our program offers distinct advantages such as:

  • Mentorship at Every Stage — Small cohorts ensure personalized guidance and deep collaboration with faculty leading federally funded research and award-winning creative projects.

  • Funding Opportunities — Funded assistantships and the South Florida Educator Award provide financial support while you study.

  • Hands-On from Day One — Unlike many programs, our students dive into labs, emerging technologies, and real-world projects immediately.

  • Miami Advantage — As part of Miami’s global innovation ecosystem, our students gain unique access to Latin American markets, tech startups, and international conferences.

Nationally Ranked

We are proud to be ranked a Top 5 Graduate UX/UI/HCI College in the South

Award-Winning

Winner of BEA’s Emerging Media & Technology award, Atlanta Film Festival, HotDocs, AWE’s XR Prize Challenge, Webby Awards, and more.

Alumni Success

Program graduates work at Google, Amazon, GE, New York Times, Visa, and Apex Legends.

Research & Scholarship

Our faculty lead interdisciplinary research funded by NOAA, Knight Foundation, Wolfson Foundation, State of Florida, NSF, The Children’s Trust of Florida, and leading industry partners, advancing knowledge in AI/ML, immersive technologies, and human-centered design. Projects combine technical innovation with storytelling, data, and real-world application.

The Mangrove City app lets students virtually experience potential options for cities to adapt to sea level rise.

Mangrove City

An interdisciplinary VR project created to educate students on ecosystems, rising sea levels, and coastal city planning.

Answer Campus, a new video game crafted by students and faculty members at the University of Miami delves into difficult conversations about identity and discrimination to illustrate more accepting responses.

Answer Campus

A choice-based game designed to spark dialogue around by placing players in sensitive college classroom moments.

The Cuban Freedom Flights

Explore Cuban-American history through interactive galleries and animation in this immersive VR experience.

Faculty Spotlight

Ching-Hua Chuan Assistant Professor, Interactive Media

Dr. Chuan’s research bridges artificial intelligence, human-centered computing, and music information retrieval. Her work explores how AI and machine learning can enhance human communication and creativity, earning recognition from organizations such as the Arthur Page Center and the Grace Hopper Celebration.

Lindsay Grace Professor, Knight Chair in Interactive Media

Dr. Grace is an internationally recognized designer, author, and scholar whose work explores games for social impact. A Games for Change Vanguard Award recipient, he has published extensively and curated major exhibitions showcasing the creative power of interactive storytelling.

Launch Your Career in Interactive Media, Apply Today!

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Alumni Success

Erik Soriano
UX Designer II
at Amazon

“I am forever grateful for all the professors who challenged me and my cohort to push the limits of our creativity and break the mold, and for the resources that were made available to me as a student.”

Pingting Ji
Game Designer
at Ubisoft

“College is the perfect time to explore and try new things. This is your chance to find what truly excites you, so don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and experiment.”

Where are our students now?

Our graduates make waves at the top companies in the world. Are you prepared to join them?

Admission FAQs

Learn more about the M.F.A. process here. There are 4 steps in the application process:

  1. Sign up for an online account here
  2. Send official transcripts
  3. Upload letters of recommendation
  4. Upload your portfolio

No previous programming or design experience is necessary for this program. In fact, students from diverse backgrounds strengthen the program. If you already know some programming or have design experience you are also invited to apply.

Learn more about the application process for International Students here.

The program is a STEM program and has the CIP code of 09.0702.

Students are required to submit a portfolio for this program. Portfolio requirements can be seen here and students can submit a portfolio in their Graduate Application account.

Click here to learn more about Funding Opportunities.

This award is intended address the shortage of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and /or Math) teachers in South Florida, which disproportionately impacts poor and BIPOC students and prevents them from accessing specific types of educational opportunities that offer high financial returns.

The Department of Interactive Media provides an annual award to a student who commits to remaining in South Florida and teaching in a community college or in the public school system for a minimum of three years after graduation.

The Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee reviews applications on the basis of the applicant’s potential to contribute to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and /or Math) education and capacity to commit three years to teaching upon completion of the M.F.A.

Applicants are asked to submit a resume as well as a brief statement (no more than one page) that addresses how their background prepares them for an educational career in the field of Interactive Media and how their experience equips them to foster students’ curiosity and technological innovation. In lieu of a written statement, in answering the above prompt, applicants are welcome to submit a form of media (no longer than 2 minutes), such as an audio or video statement, creative work, or multi-media project.

Click here to see all FAQs.

Graduate Program Contacts

For questions about admissions, application statuses, or financial aid please contact socgrad@miami.edu

For questions related to the Interactive Media, M.F.A. program please contact the Graduate Program Director, Lorena Lopez at llopez@miami.edu

Dates & Deadlines

Fall 2026 applications will open in Fall 2025.

The priority application deadline for Fall 2026 is Feb. 1, 2026.
The School has limited funding available for the M.A. program. If you want to be considered for funding, submit your application by February 1, 2026.

The final application deadline for Fall 2026 is July 15, 2026.

Project Spotlight

Mangrove City

Mangrove City is an immersive journey into the heart of mangrove ecosystems. Dive into interactive experiences, witness nature’s resilience, and envision a future where cities coexist harmoniously with mangroves. This interdisciplinary project blends education, technology, and a vision for a sustainable world.

Get In Touch

For questions about admissions, application statuses, or financial aid please contact socgrad@miami.edu

For questions related to the Interactive Media, M.F.A. program please contact the Graduate Program Director, Lorena Lopez at llopez@miami.edu.