PhD Computer Science (Media Arts and Sciences) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

In the Doctor of Philosophy program in computer science with a concentration in media arts and sciences, you research the integration of the human physical experience with computation and digital media. You are able to produce experiential media systems and models that assist the disadvantaged, empower creativity, enhance scientific discovery, evolve human ability, facilitate learning and improve quality of life.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core Areas (9 credit hours) applications (3) foundations (3) systems (3) Depth (3 credit hours) three additional credit hours in one core area (3) Concentration (9 credit hours) Select three courses from the following list: AME 511 Advanced Interactive Sound (3) AME 515 Machine Vision and Pattern Recognition (3) AME 520 Movement and Computing (3) AME 532 Creating Interactive Media (3) AME 535 Mobile Development (3) AME 570 Programming for Social and Interactive Media (3) Research (18 credit hours) AME 792 Research (6) CSE 792 Research (12) Electives (33 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) AME 799 Dissertation (6) CSE 799 Dissertation (6) Additional Curriculum Information Courses that are used to satisfy the core area requirement cannot be used to satisfy electives or other requirements.

Career pathways

Graduates are able to analyze, understand and apply key theories and algorithms used in the field of computer science. They can also generate and evaluate new theories, algorithms and software modules that can advance the field of computer science. Career examples: arts, media and engineering professor or researcher, computer science professor or researcher, data scientist or engineer, machine learning, AI or computer vision engineer or scientist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering or a closely related area. Most applicants should have earned a master's degree, but exceptional undergraduate applicants may be admitted directly to the doctoral program. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts from every university attended three letters of recommendation a statement of purpose curriculum vitae or resume proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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