Directory of Programs

Experience Design and Production

The BFA Program in Experience Design and Production provides a foundation grounded in project-based learning supported by a rigorous theoretical and critical framework.

Students may specialize in one or more of the following areas: Costume Design, Experience Design/Themed Entertainment, Lighting Design, Scene Design, Sound Design, Stage Management, and Technical Direction.

Entertainment Technology Center

The ETC is the premiere professional graduate program for interactive entertainment as it’s applied across various fields. Our unique, two-year Master of Entertainment Technology (MET) degree was founded as a joint venture between Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science and the College of Fine Arts. The MET is currently considered a terminal degree.

MFA in Experience Design

Every other year, this unique, studio-centric MFA in experience design (XD) admits a cohort of eight to twelve talented students from varied backgrounds, including all areas of design, art, architecture and engineering. Students in the XD program form a studio collective to complete an array of XD projects under the direct guidance of CU faculty and professionals in the field, many who provide project content. As a result of this industry involvement, and the students own self-exploration, XD graduates are prepared to enter the field of experience design.

Degree in Interactive Digital Content

Undergraduate degree where some themed entertainment related topics are offered within other courses

M.A. in Communications with a concentration in Tourism and Entertainment Communications

Earn a Master of Arts in Communication with a concentration in research and theory, professional communication or tourism and entertainment. Leverage our extensive industry network to find new opportunities or use your degree to advance your career where you currently work. Your master’s degree can also help prepare you to teach in the community college system or to enter a Ph.D. program.

Entertainment Technology A.A.S. Degree

This course series provides excellent preparation for a career in entertainment technology. It prepares students to obtain audio, lighting, video, and live event crew positions that support presenting and entertainment events for organizations of all types and sizes.

This degree is a hands-on workforce training program, which insures that graduates are well-prepared to enter into needed technical positions.

View Program Storytelling, Technology and Digital Media in Theme Parks

Themed Entertainment Design

Themed Entertainment Design is a flexible experience that prepares you for a variety of careers. You will learn the history and current resources of the industry, try your hand at creating all kinds of experiences and then specialize in one of a few distinctive areas to prepare you for your career in the themed entertainment industry.

Entertainment Design with an emphasis in Themed Environments

Learn to delight, amuse, enchant, immerse, and enthrall in our Entertainment Design degree. Create themed spaces and environments that bring stories to life across countless industries.

Honours Bachelor of Experiential Design

Learn how to create inclusive and dynamic experiences that connect people, places and content in exciting ways. Our balance of theoretical studies and practical hands-on opportunities will prepare you for work in all areas of practice in Experiential Design, which is happening all over the world and across industries.

Themed Entertainment Design

Pursue your career as a themed entertainment designer at the first university to offer an M.F.A. degree in this multibillion-dollar global industry. We leverage a comprehensive curriculum that explores architecture, new media, film, live theater, and augmented and virtual reality so that you can design attractions from the ground up. With behind-the-scenes trips to leading theme parks, insights from expert faculty, and professional collaborations through SCADpro, you’re well on your way to ascending great heights.

Entertainment and Events Management

MFA in Themed Experience Track

The MS in Themed Experience is designed to teach the unique creative skills, processes and concepts utilized to design and produce themed environments such as theme parks, zoos, aquariums, themed retail, dining, museums, virtual worlds and exhibitions. Throughout your coursework, you will gain first-hand experience in creating a space where guests interact with an environment designed to convey a narrative. Work on projects running from single kiosks to complex, multi-narrative theme parks where you will be able to develop an understanding of planning, production, story, design and concept development. Upon completing the program, you will be well-prepared to enter the themed experience and entertainment industry in the creative roles of producer, show set designer and show writer. The skills learned during the course of your studies can be applied to a number of roles in exhibition design, retail design, museum exhibition creation and a variety of other creative pursuits.

Master of Science in Themed Experience

The MS in Themed Experience is designed to teach the unique creative skills, processes and concepts utilized to design and produce themed environments such as theme parks, zoos, aquariums, themed retail, dining, museums, virtual worlds and exhibitions. Throughout your coursework, you will gain first-hand experience in creating a space where guests interact with an environment designed to convey a narrative. Work on projects running from single kiosks to complex, multi-narrative theme parks where you will be able to develop an understanding of planning, production, story, design and concept development. Upon completing the program, you will be well-prepared to enter the themed experience and entertainment industry in the creative roles of producer, show set designer and show writer. The skills learned during the course of your studies can be applied to a number of roles in exhibition design, retail design, museum exhibition creation and a variety of other creative pursuits.

Themed Entertainment Minor

Who designs theme parks, museums, fireworks shows, water fountain spectaculars and parades? Themed entertainment designers do. From cruise ships to casinos to immersive educational retreats, they design almost anything that involves submerging a real, live human being into a story in a truly robust, physical way. As new tools for entertainment and education develop, they continually push toward one, common goal: a single place where movies, games, theme parks and museums converge. It is a non-dystopian kind of Westworld where we truly and completely become the heroes and heroines of our own stories. And it is the ultimate adventure because there is nothing (at least nothing that we notice) between our full, physical selves and the stories we want to live.

Master of Science in Architecture Studies with a concentration in Themed Environments Integration

Themed environments enhance a wide range of human experiences from real estate development projects, museums/exhibitions, retail, dining and entertainment venues, to theme parks and cruise ships. A Themed Environments Integration graduate will be able to carry the most important magical asset, “the story”, through to each guest.