Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication
Investigate emerging technologies, art and design to identify opportunities for design innovation.
Take a look at our Master’s and Doctorate degrees in ATEC.
Take note: Effective Fall 2025, the Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (BA in ATEC) degree program will be renamed the Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts and Design (BA in MAD). This new title better reflects the strengths of our Bachelor of Arts program and improves recognition across the University and in industry.
BA in ATEC Overview
Undergraduates pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) start with foundational courses in UX/UI design, motion graphics, digital fabrication, and media histories. They can then concentrate in Critical Media Studies (CMS) or Emerging Media Arts (EMA), or continue to follow a generalist degree plan to explore all ATEC has to offer. The Critical Media Studies concentration focuses on analyzing and critically examining media and their historical evolution, while the Emerging Media Arts concentration focuses on digital arts, including digital fabrication, projection mapping, new media art and performance, sound, time-based media, and video.
Career Paths with a Degree in ATEC
Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication can pursue a variety of exciting, creative career paths in fields like advertising, journalism, public relations, media, communication, technology, education, administration, management, marketing, broadcasting, public relations, law, social advocacy, digital content management, and more.
ATEC Careers
3D artist, art director, concept artist, content creator, digital fabrication specialist, environment artist, grant writer, graphic designer, illustrator, journalist, media artist, motion graphics designer, project manager, social justice advocate, social media specialist, technical artist, UX designer, VFX artist
Undergraduate ATEC Program Options
BA in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication
View ATEC in the University Catalog
View Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
BA in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication with Critical Media Studies Concentration
BA in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication with Emerging Media Arts Concentration
Fact Sheet
Undergraduate ATEC Courses
The general ATEC degree plan is interdisciplinary, offering students the flexibility to explore a variety of elective options. Students can delve into classes in animation and games, critical media studies, design, emerging communication, and emerging media arts.
Many courses in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication are open to all students in the University.
Student Organizations
The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) UTD presents career-development workshops and networking opportunities for those entering the design industry and the UX Club increases awareness and community around user-centered design.
Explore Arts, Humanities, and Technology Student Organizations →
ATEC News
Collaboration is Key: Design Student Works With Others to Achieve Goals
Grace Kang, a senior design and arts, technology and emerging communication student, has always been driven by curiosity. She is…
FAA and University of Texas at Dallas VAST VR Lab Collaborate on Pioneering Extended Reality (XR) Research for Aerospace Maintenance
New $5 million partnership aims to enhance safety and efficiency in aviation maintenance using XR technologies Richardson, Texas – [2/11/2025]…
Let It Glow: Arts Team Creates Holiday Sights for Omni Light Show
On Nov. 30 UT Dallas’ 3D Studio LightSquad helped kick off the holiday season with a five-minute video on the…