Application for Majors

Spring 2027 CMI Application Update

October 26, 2026

Thank you to everyone who submitted an application for the Spring 2027 Creative Media Institute (CMI) program. We appreciate the time, effort, and interest each applicant put into the application process.

All Spring 2027 CMI admissions decisions have been finalized, and acceptance emails have been sent to selected applicants.

Please check your NMSU email for your admissions decision and any additional information regarding next steps.

Thank you again for your interest in CMI and for being part of our creative community. We wish all applicants the best in their academic and creative journeys!

Pre-application Requirements

In order to maintain CMI’s high standards for instruction and serve as many students as possible, students interested in a major in Digital Film Making and/or Animation Visual Effects must apply for admission to CMI. A student will usually apply for one major but may choose to double major in CMI. (Double majors usually do not complete their degrees within 4 years.) Note: admitted students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 to continue in the program.

In order to be eligible to initiate the CMI application process, students must first pass or be enrolled in these prerequisite courses while maintaining an earned cumulative GPA of 2.5. Successful completion of the above courses is required prior to taking any additional two CMI courses as an admitted major.

Animation and Visual Effects Requirements

Prospective students applying to the Animation and Visual Effects (ANVE) emphasis must successfully complete the following courses:

FDMA 2311 – History of Animation
Or an equivalent course completed with a grade of B- or better.
FDMA 2382 – Narrative: Principles of Story Across Media
Or an equivalent course completed with a grade of B- or better.
ENGL 1110 G – Composition I
MATH 1130 G – Survey of Mathematics

Digital Filmmaking Requirements

Prospective students applying to the Digital Filmmaking (DFM) emphasis must successfully complete the following courses:

FDMA 1555 – Introduction to the Creative Media Industry
Or an equivalent course completed with a grade of B- or better.
FDMA 2382 – Narrative: Principles of Story Across Media
Or an equivalent course completed with a grade of B- or better.
ENGL 1110G – Composition I
MATH 1130G – Survey of Mathematics

Application Process

Applications for admission to CMI are accepted in the fall and spring semesters (for consideration for admission beginning the following fall semester). Transfer student applications may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

In order to apply to CMI, students must submit all of the following electronically by the deadline:

A completed Online Application Form for NMSU Students (please note that this form will only work with NMSU email accounts, if you do not yet have one please look at ICT Help Desk)
Transfer students who do not yet have an NMSU email address should complete this application.

A sample of original, individually created artistic work. This might include:

- Written work, such as short stories, poems, or scripts (no more than 5 pages)
- Artwork such as sketches/drawings*, photographs, sculptures*, or 3D models
- Design work such as graphic design, set design, concept illustration, or web design
- Cinematic work such as short films/videos, 2D/3D animations, audio projects, storyboards, or recorded performances.**

* These may be submitted in non-digital form for review. **No single video submission may be over five minutes. Do not send originals.

A 750-1500 word essay answering the following question: How does this work sample demonstrate your artistic vision and make you a strong candidate for the CMI Program?

Admission Decision

An admission committee for each major will work with the Academic Department Head of CMI to review submitted applications and determine admission. Admission decisions will be based on an assessment of:

fulfillment of prerequisite course requirements by the time of entry into the program,
potential for a unique aesthetic evidenced in artwork sample,
clear and grammatically sound articulation of ideas in the written application,

Notification of admission decisions will be sent to students via email no later than March 31st for the Fall Semester, and October 31st for the Spring Semester. Newly admitted students will be required to receive academic advising for registration for courses to be taken the following semester. Students not admitted may re-apply the following semester.