Schools & programs

The Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology comprises five schools and programs:

School of Communication

Students in the School of Communication study media and technology from a critical perspective, focusing on big data and technology studies, media and culture, political economy, and communication policy. Learning through direct engagement and taking on an interdisciplinary approach, graduates go on to successfully pursue careers in academics, government, NGOs, cultural institutions, communication industries, and the media.

School for the Contemporary Arts

Situated in downtown Vancouver, the School for the Contemporary Arts offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum in which studio classes in film, dance, music and sound, visual arts, theatre performance, and theatre production and design are integrated with the theoretical, historical, and political study of the arts. The meeting of creative practice with academic inquiry is core to the SCA, which works to foster artists and scholars who are equipped to engage with and contribute to important contemporary dialogues, issues, and challenges. The SCA aims to provide students with the necessary skills to excel as artists in this rapidly changing landscape and to encourage them to see art as a powerful instrument for critical expression and advocacy.

School of Interactive Arts and Technology

The School of Interactive Arts & Technology (SIAT) is at Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus. The undergraduate program — either a Bachelor of Arts or Science — teaches the development, creation, and use of digital technologies in programming, arts, and design. SIAT's graduate program — Master of Arts, Master of Science, or PhD — educates researchers in the development, creation, and use of technology across a wide variety of disciplines. 

Publishing Programs

The Master of Publishing (MPub) program and the Undergraduate Minor in Print and Digital Publishing integrate advanced industry practice with insights gained from applied research to be the premier training ground for publishing professionals. Through dynamic seminar courses and intensive simulation projects, students work with highly qualified faculty and guest experts drawn from publishing firms across Canada. Small workshops are also offered on current topics and trends in the publishing industry. The Canadian Institute for Studies in Publishing is SFU’s research unit providing scholarly and industry insights into the changing world of publishing.

Master of Digital Media

The Master of Digital Media (MDM) is Canada’s first professional graduate program in digital media. Offered at the Centre for Digital Media in Vancouver BC, this intensive, internationally-recognized program engages students in real-world projects and coursework that provides valuable leadership experience, training, and top industry connections. 

The MDM is conferred by The University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, and the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Each of the Centre for Digital Media's partners brings unique insight to the program and value to students. MDM grads are alumni of all four institutions.