Bachelor's Degree in Media Arts and Studies

Media Arts and Studies students gain experience by creating media, participating in production projects, completing internships and working with professional equipment and facilities. The program specifically combines creative production with industry and research-oriented study, while the College of Communication and Information provides opportunities to work on films, podcasts, broadcast productions and other media projects:

• MAS Media Production Courses: Students develop practical production skills through dedicated media-production coursework, gaining experience creating and working with digital media content.

• JAM 399 Internship: Every Journalism and Media Arts and Studies major is required to complete a three-credit internship before graduation, giving students supervised professional experience and an opportunity to apply their academic skills in the workplace.

• Spectrum Studio: This 20,000-square-foot production and learning/research facility includes two broadcast studios, control rooms, a video podcast studio, newsroom/classroom spaces, a 24-foot LED wall, cyclorama wall and robotic cameras.

• Film Production Projects: Students have the opportunity to create substantial independent and collaborative productions. Media Arts and Studies graduate Matthew Dunlap, for example, wrote, produced, directed and edited a 27-minute film while at UK, working with a production crew and editing more than 600 GB of footage.

• Podcast Production: UK students have participated in student-run podcast projects, gaining experience in planning, recording and publishing audio content for digital audiences.

• Professional Production Exposure: Students can gain experience through internships and professional opportunities connected to organizations such as NBC, MSNBC, LEX18 and the TODAY Show. Media Arts and Studies student Jade Garnett used multiple internships and professional experiences to build a pathway into the entertainment industry.

• Pence Hall: The College of Communication and Information provides students with specialized communication and media spaces, supporting production, learning and collaboration within the college.

• Career and Internship Events: College career events connect students with employers, alumni and other professionals while helping them explore opportunities across media and communication industries.

Media Arts and Studies graduates can pursue careers throughout the rapidly evolving media and entertainment industries, from film and television production to digital content, videogames, social media and media distribution. The combination of production experience, media research, industry-focused coursework and a required internship gives students a strong foundation for building a professional portfolio and entering creative industries.

Typical career roles: Producer, Director, Editor, Multimedia Designer and Developer.

Students can strengthen their transition into professional careers through UK’s practical and industry-connected opportunities:

• Required Professional Internship: JAM 399 ensures that every Media Arts and Studies student completes professional internship experience before graduation, providing an important bridge between academic study and employment.

• Career Development: The College of Communication and Information provides career and internship events, employer connections and opportunities to meet professionals and alumni working across communication and media industries.

• Industry Exposure: Students have gained experience with organizations such as NBC, MSNBC, the TODAY Show and LEX18, demonstrating the range of professional environments available to Media Arts and Studies students.

• Entertainment Industry Outcomes: UK Media Arts and Studies graduate Matthew Dunlap secured a position with Deluxe’s Disney Team after completing a major student film project, while Jade Garnett progressed through internships with America’s Got Talent, MSNBC and the TODAY Show.

• Professional Recognition: ACEJMC accreditation provides a long-term quality benchmark and demonstrates alignment with recognized professional standards in journalism and mass communication education.

• Broad Career Flexibility: The university identifies career opportunities including Producer, Director, Editor, Showrunner, Technical Supervisor, Filmmaker, Multimedia Designer & Developer, Content Creator, Videogame Developer, Videogame Designer, Audio Technician, Screenwriter, Social Media Strategist, Videographer, Cinematographer and Media Planner/Buyer.

• Employment and Salary Data: The current official UK Media Arts and Studies program page does not publish a program-specific graduate employment rate or average starting salary, so a specific employment percentage or salary figure should not be presented as an official UK outcome.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master’s-level study in Media Arts and Studies, Communication, Journalism, Strategic Communication, Film, Digital Media, Media Studies and related fields. The program is also part of UK’s Accelerated Master’s Pathways, allowing eligible students to begin graduate coursework during their undergraduate degree and potentially save time and cost when completing a master’s degree.