How to Apply: IDS

How to Apply:
Currently Enrolled UA Students
Media Arts Component in IDS Degree

In order to be considered for a Media Arts component in the IDS degree, UA students must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at UA, and must submit the items listed below. (Students who are currently Media Arts majors do not need to submit additional materials.)

  1. Media Arts IDS Application Form (PDF) (DOC)
  2. Statement of Interest - To give us a sense of how well Media Arts matches your interests and goals, write a 250-500 word statement that:
    1. Explores the history of your interest in the media arts. (What in your past has brought you to this interest?)
    2. Explains what motivates your interest in the media arts. (What do you hope to achieve in the field of media arts?)
    3. Describes how Media Arts will fit into your degree program (i.e., what are the three areas of study you intend to pursue in the IDS program?), and discusses one specific project (such as a film analysis or a research paper) that you would like to work on while you are here. How will Media Arts courses contribute to your project?
  3. Essay - "Movies should have a beginning, a middle and an end," harrumphed French filmmaker Georges Franju. "Certainly," replied Jean-Luc Godard. "But not necessarily in that order."
    Respond to Godard's assertion using specific examples drawn from a film or television program to support your argument. Be sure to construct a clear argument in your introduction that leads to a specific thesis statement, follow with your argument (supported by specific examples), and end with a conclusion. Your essay should be between 250 and 500 words in length.
  4. Current UA SAPR - All applicants must provide a copy of their current UA SAPR, which may be found on (and printed from) Student Link.

Submit the above materials to the Media Arts office (address below). Please put all materials in a large manila envelope, labeled as follows:

Media Arts IDS Application
Applicant: (your name)
School of Media Arts
Marshall Bldg Room 220
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721-0158

Applications will be assessed based on clear articulation of interest in studying Media Arts and on academic potential.

Media Arts IDS applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. Students will be notified of their admission decision by UA email. If accepted to Media Arts, students must make an appointment with Dr. Barbara Selznick, Media Arts IDS Advisor, to have their Media Arts course plan approved. Appointments are made by calling (520) 621-7352. Please note that not all Media Arts courses are available to students in the IDS program. (See below for a listing of available courses.)

If you have any questions about the admissions or application process, you may contact the School of Media Arts by phone at (520) 621-7352.

Media Arts courses available to IDS students

The Media Arts component of the Interdisciplinary Studies degree consists of 24 units total, including 12 lower-division units and 12 upper-division units. Each course listed below is 3 units. (Not all Media Arts courses are available to students in the IDS program. Students accepted for a Media Arts component of the IDS degree must choose their coursework from this list.)

Complete the following 4 required courses (12 units lower division):


  • M AR 100A -- Film and Television History, Beginnings to the Mid-20th Century
  • M AR 100B -- Film and Television History, Mid-20th Century to the Present
  • M AR 200 -- Media Aesthetics
  • M AR 270 -- Introduction to Media Industries

In addition, complete 4 courses (12 units upper division) from the following list:

  • M AR 302 -- Recording Studio Production
  • M AR 308 -- Survey of Media Law and Regulation
  • M AR 325 -- History of German Cinema
  • M AR 364 -- Writing The Narrative
  • M AR 372 -- Exhibition Management
  • M AR 376 -- Media Market Research
  • M AR 400 -- Themes in Literature and Film
  • M AR 434 -- Issues in Media Industries
  • M AR 453 -- Screen Artists
  • M AR 456 -- Race, Gender & Class in Media
  • M AR 460 -- Screen Narratives
  • M AR 465 -- Film Styles and Genres
  • M AR 478 -- Creative Media Advertising
  • M AR 496B -- Special Topics
  • M AR 497I -- Media Arts Writing Workshop (enrollment requires instructor approval)

In order to be eligible to register for 300/400 level Media Arts courses, students must have Advanced Standing in Media Arts. The requirements for Advanced Standing include:

  • Completion of at least 40 earned credit hours
  • Completion of the following Media Arts courses: M AR 100A, 100B, 200, and 270
  • A cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.5 at The University of Arizona

Students who are not eligible for advanced standing during the Fall/Spring semesters will be allowed to register for 300/400 level Media Arts courses during Summer session(s).