University of California, Santa Cruz

How this program compares

Benchmark this program against our national recognition pages and use the key guides below to evaluate ROI, admissions difficulty, and outcomes.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: A bachelor's degree in computer science, media arts, design, or a related field is required, along with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and relevant programming or creative portfolio experience.

About This Program

This research-focused program helps students build a foundation in media creation, computer programming, and interpretive practices to innovate in computational media work.

Career Outcomes

Lead as Software Developer in Entertainment AI with interactive storytelling expertise

• 1. Interaction Designer
• 2. Game Developer
• 3. Computational Artist
• 4. UX Researcher

What You'll Learn

• Design interactive computational media blending code and creativity
• Apply human-computer interaction principles to user-centered digital experiences
• Develop procedural generation techniques for graphics and animations
• Prototype games and immersive media applications
• Evaluate and iterate on digital interfaces using UX research methods

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum features core and topical classes in human-robot interaction or social computing, culminating in a substantial research thesis.

Top Employers

Top employers include tech companies like Google, Meta, Adobe, and game studios such as Electronic Arts and Unity Technologies.

Admissions

A bachelor's degree in computer science, media arts, design, or a related field is required, along with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and relevant programming or creative portfolio experience.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 3
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: Bachelor's degree
• GRE/GMAT: Not Required
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international students (TOEFL 80+ / IELTS 6.5+)