Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies

UWM’s joint MA/PhD program in Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies starts from the assumption that media in the 21st century must be studied comparatively. Cinema has been intermedial since its inception in its rich intersections with the literary, performing, and visual arts, as well as with science and popular culture. With the advent of digital technologies, the interrelation of all media has only intensified.

Students in our interdisciplinary program work across major media forms such as film, television, video games, and tactical and social media. Our faculty and students employ rigorous historical, theoretical, and political methodologies to develop innovative research projects both within and across media, cinema, and digital studies.

Admission Requirements 

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.

Admission

Students in the UWM Master of Arts degree program in English must pass an M.A. exam and be recommended for admission into the Ph.D. program by their M.A. committee. An application for the Ph.D. program also must be submitted to the Graduate School.

Applicants with master’s degrees from other institutions are evaluated on the basis of standard application materials:

  • GPA
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three Supporting Letters
  • A Sample of Academic Writing

Such applicants are admitted to doctoral study provisionally and are required to complete an Academic Review within six weeks of finishing 12 credits.

For more specific information about departmental requirements for admission, please visit the English Department’s Graduate Admissions Web page.

The Academic Review is a one- to two-hour meeting with three faculty members of the English Graduate Faculty. At least two members come from the student’s concentration. The Review covers the student’s academic progress in doctoral coursework, two unrevised course papers, and a list of 20-25 books chosen by the student in consultation with the reviewers. See the English Graduate Program Handbook for further details regarding the Academic Review. Applicants should contact the Graduate Program Office for additional information and deadlines.

Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies

Core Courses
Take 15 credits across these courses:15
ENGLISH 742Media Studies
ENGLISH 743Film Theory and Criticism
ENGLISH 876Seminar in Media Studies:
ENGLISH 877Seminar in Film Studies:
ENGLISH 887Seminar in Digital Studies:
6 credits in 700- or 800- level courses in English or related programs6
Proseminar (take 2 credits)2
ENGLISH 747Proseminar in Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies
Electives31
31 credits of electives at the graduate level (may include ENGLISH 700 & ENGLISH 701 and up to 2 additional credits of ENGLISH 747)
Total Credits54
Contact

Prospective Graduate Students

Questions regarding the application or the application process should be directed to the UWM Graduate School at gradschool@uwm.edu or 414-229-6569.

Current Graduate Students

Questions about research opportunities, department funding opportunities, or issues specific to the discipline should be directed to the English department.

Interested in this Plan?

For more information about the Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies plan, contact Associate Professor Tami Williams at tamiw@uwm.edu.

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