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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

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BFA Emerging Media Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program Recognition

The Johnny Carson School appears in Variety’s 2025 Education Impact Report for preparing students for entertainment-industry careers

Training

A broad first year leads into specializations in film, animation, gaming, immersive media, virtual production, creative technology, and digital storytelling

Portfolio-first, hands-on projects help students build professional skills and a body of creative work

Professional Development

Industry connections support professional networking, global summits, visiting-artist events, and internships

Recent outcomes listed by the program include roles or internships with Maxis Games, the Los Angeles Clippers, DreamWorks Animation, Industrial Light & Magic, and LOLA FX

Facilities

Dedicated facilities include 3D printing and CNC fabrication, editing bays, computer labs, an audio booth, a soundstage, immersive sound, motion-capture, and virtual-production labs

Students receive a laptop and an iPad with Apple Pencil and can check out cinema, lighting, audio, projection, and VR equipment for production courses

Study Abroad

Emerging Media Arts supports study-away experiences, including the Story Abroad program in London

School Info

Snapshot

3.54

Avg GPA (W)

87%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

19.2K

Enrollment

$57K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$11,382

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$31,182

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$28,848

Before aid

Average Net Price

$17,747

After aid

2026 2027 Estimated Cost Attendance · financialaid.unl.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 9, 12:31 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

The Johnny Carson School appears in Variety’s 2025 Education Impact Report for preparing students for entertainment-industry careers

Training

A broad first year leads into specializations in film, animation, gaming, immersive media, virtual production, creative technology, and digital storytelling

Portfolio-first, hands-on projects help students build professional skills and a body of creative work

Professional Development

Industry connections support professional networking, global summits, visiting-artist events, and internships

Recent outcomes listed by the program include roles or internships with Maxis Games, the Los Angeles Clippers, DreamWorks Animation, Industrial Light & Magic, and LOLA FX

Facilities

Dedicated facilities include 3D printing and CNC fabrication, editing bays, computer labs, an audio booth, a soundstage, immersive sound, motion-capture, and virtual-production labs

Students receive a laptop and an iPad with Apple Pencil and can check out cinema, lighting, audio, projection, and VR equipment for production courses

Study Abroad

Emerging Media Arts supports study-away experiences, including the Story Abroad program in London

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

The Johnny Carson School appears in Variety’s 2025 Education Impact Report for preparing students for entertainment-industry careers

Training

A broad first year leads into specializations in film, animation, gaming, immersive media, virtual production, creative technology, and digital storytelling

Portfolio-first, hands-on projects help students build professional skills and a body of creative work

Professional Development

Industry connections support professional networking, global summits, visiting-artist events, and internships

Recent outcomes listed by the program include roles or internships with Maxis Games, the Los Angeles Clippers, DreamWorks Animation, Industrial Light & Magic, and LOLA FX

Facilities

Dedicated facilities include 3D printing and CNC fabrication, editing bays, computer labs, an audio booth, a soundstage, immersive sound, motion-capture, and virtual-production labs

Students receive a laptop and an iPad with Apple Pencil and can check out cinema, lighting, audio, projection, and VR equipment for production courses

Study Abroad

Emerging Media Arts supports study-away experiences, including the Story Abroad program in London

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

$45

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

Deadline

Nebraska priority application - university application is required before Acceptd EMA materialsNov 1, 2026

Nebraska university application required before the Fall 2027 EMA Acceptd deadlineFeb 15, 2027

First Year Dates Deadlines · admissions.unl.edu Application portal · Acceptd

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the audition.

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

Fall 2027 Emerging Media Arts application deadlineFeb 15, 2027

Application portal · Acceptd

Portfolio Requirements

Essay

Written essay, 500 words max, OR video essay, 2 minutes max

If submitting a video essay, use your own voice but do not appear in the video

Address who you are, what matters to you, why Emerging Media Arts, and why Nebraska

Analysis

Analysis of a creative work, 250 words max, OR 1-minute video/audio recording

This should be an analysis, not a review or summary

If submitting video, do not appear in the video; do not use AI to generate the analysis

Creative Works

Submit three creative works with descriptions

Work may include artwork, creative writing, GitHub contributions, DIY projects, designed experiences, film/video, music, play, podcast, poster, programming, song, or similar creative work

If a work was collaborative, explain your creative role

Resume

Do not include a picture of yourself

Suggested order: education; awards and achievements; activities; work experience; skills; hobbies

Reference Letter

Letter from a teacher or professor who can speak directly about your creative and academic abilities

Ideally from someone in whose class you made one of the submitted creative works

College Transcripts

Transfer students must submit copies of college transcripts with the application

Application portal · Acceptd

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to UNL and select Pre-Emerging Media Arts as the first-choice major before submitting the EMA portfolio application through Acceptd

The Fall 2027 Acceptd application is open

Priority deadline: February 15, 2027; later applications are reviewed only if space remains

Eligibility

Minimum cumulative GPA is 3.0; post-secondary applicants also need a 3.0 last-term GPA

Transfer students should expect four full-time years after acceptance regardless of prior credits

Contact

Application questions: carsoncenter@unl.edu or 402-472-2615

What's The Process

Audition Process

Portfolio-based admission — no formal audition required

Application materials reviewed by faculty committee

Admission based on academic preparedness and submitted materials

Scholarship Info

ACT/SAT not required but encouraged for merit-based scholarship consideration (first-year applicants under 23)

Best scholarship award based on GPA alone or GPA + highest composite ACT/SAT score

School Info

Snapshot

3.54

Avg GPA (W)

87%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

19.2K

Enrollment

$57K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$11,382

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$31,182

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$28,848

Before aid

Average Net Price

$17,747

After aid

2026 2027 Estimated Cost Attendance · financialaid.unl.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

The Johnny Carson School appears in Variety’s 2025 Education Impact Report for preparing students for entertainment-industry careers

Training

A broad first year leads into specializations in film, animation, gaming, immersive media, virtual production, creative technology, and digital storytelling

Portfolio-first, hands-on projects help students build professional skills and a body of creative work

Professional Development

Industry connections support professional networking, global summits, visiting-artist events, and internships

Recent outcomes listed by the program include roles or internships with Maxis Games, the Los Angeles Clippers, DreamWorks Animation, Industrial Light & Magic, and LOLA FX

Facilities

Dedicated facilities include 3D printing and CNC fabrication, editing bays, computer labs, an audio booth, a soundstage, immersive sound, motion-capture, and virtual-production labs

Students receive a laptop and an iPad with Apple Pencil and can check out cinema, lighting, audio, projection, and VR equipment for production courses

Study Abroad

Emerging Media Arts supports study-away experiences, including the Story Abroad program in London

Updated Aug 9, 12:31 AM