51³Ô¹ÏÍøMeadows students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Computing work on a demonstration.

Undergraduate programs

Creative computing

B.A.

Minor

Overview

Creative computing is a highly interdisciplinary major that combines theory and methodology from computer science and engineering with aesthetic principles and creative practice from the arts.

Combining engineering, computer science, and the arts and humanities, a degree in creative computing gives you the skills to use technology as a powerful medium to create 2D and 3D works of art, augmented performance, intelligent physical spaces and real-time interactivity.

Creative computation is increasingly used for immersive museum exhibits, interactive installations, scientific data research, television commercials, music videos and more. Graduates go on to work across multiple segments of the digital economy in roles such as interactive designers and/or developers, creative AI developers, creative technologists, software engineers, project managers, visual and sound artists, and entrepreneurs.

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

2

showcases per year featuring performances and exhibitions of experimental student work

1

study abroad opportunity through the SMU-in-Tokyo: Design Thinking for Possible Futures summer program

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Tuition and financial aid

2 out of 3 first-year students are awarded grants and/or scholarships with an average total of $38,598.

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for undergraduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

CRCP 1310

Creative Coding I

Exploring computation as a powerful generative medium, students learn the fundamentals of coding and computational thinking, including an introduction to object-oriented programming. Hands-on topics may include algorithmic drawing, procedural imaging, 2D and 3D animation, visualization, interactivity, computational music and gaming.

CRCP 5320

Aesthetics and Computation

Students explore code and computation as primary generative media, developing original works of art, leading to the creation of an online portfolio. Screen-based, printed, mobile, web, physical and performative applications may be explored.

CRCP 5301

Creative Computing Capstone

In consultation with a faculty advisor, students propose, design and implement an independent creative computing project. Projects may include performance, exhibition and hardware and/or software development. Requires completion of a paper summarizing significant project outcomes and results. Restricted to creative computing majors. To be completed in the student’s last term of the creative computing major.

Student success

The beauty of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍøMeadows creative computing degree is that career opportunities extend as far as the limits of the imagination. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the degree and the marketable tech skills it produces, graduates have forged paths in high-demand roles in UX, product development, creative tech and data storytelling.

Student stories

Makayla Alston graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Computing and now works as a digital systems coordinator.

Makayla Alston ’25

Creative computing alum blends technology, marketing and live events in her role as digital systems coordinator.

A showcase for students pursuing a B.A. in Creative Computation features interactive, interdisciplinary projects.

Center of Creative Computation hosts biannual student showcase

From sound-reactive installations to glow-in-the-dark sculptures, the showcase invites attendees to experience interactive projects from students in the creative computation program.

Faculty

The faculty at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøMeadows comes from the world of creative computing and combines coding and artistic practice across disciplines such as AI and generative art, immersive media, computing, data visualization and interactive storytelling. Their teaching approach mirrors studio and lab environments, so students get practical experience in real-world scenarios.

Facilities

Although courses in creative computing span Meadows School of the Arts and the Lyle School of Engineering, the true hub of creative computing at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøis the Center of Creative Computation.

The multi-screen display within 51³Ô¹ÏÍøMeadows Center of Creative Computation showcases an interdisciplinary project.

Center of Creative Computation

An interdisciplinary research and teaching center for exploring computation as a universal generative medium – integrating creative development, quantitative analysis and interdisciplinary synthesis. Housed in the Meadows School of the Arts, the Center of Creative Computation invites active participation from all members of the University community and beyond. 

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Frequently asked questions

51³Ô¹ÏÍøMeadows Bachelor of Arts in creative computing is a dynamic, interdisciplinary program where computer code becomes a medium for artistic expression, technological experimentation and innovation. The program encourages students to approach technology as a tool for storytelling and aesthetic exploration. This degree gives you a foothold in the evolving world of digital art.

Graduates of the program emerge fully literate in at least one major programming language, such as Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python and C++, and are able to develop a fully functional software project from concept through deployment, including platform integration, installation, debugging and maintenance. You will be able to bridge multiple disciplines and synthesize original technology-driven solutions and be equally comfortable applying creative and computational methods, approaches and processes in solving problems.

Your degree will give you the ability to work across multiple segments of the digital economy in roles such as interactive designers and/or developers, creative AI developers, creative technologists, software engineers, project managers, fine artists and entrepreneurs.

Nike, Tracy-Locke and Citibank are among several companies that have hired Meadows creative computing graduates. Companies like these are looking for people who understand the digital realm, keep pace with fast-evolving technology and apply digital muscle to the company’s operations and services. Meadows creative computing students are nimble with coding and several computer languages, combining technical expertise with creative and innovative problem solving.

See advice from 51³Ô¹ÏÍøMeadows alumni for anyone considering a creative computing degree.

Creative computing centers on the use of computer science to create digital art and expression. The degree falls under the Meadows School of the Arts primarily, but because it is intrinsically linked to computer coding, it includes coursework from the Lyle School of Engineering.

Our creative computing students are nimble with coding and several computer languages. This program combines creative and innovative problem solving with technical expertise on par with computer science majors.

Creative computing is a degree that gives a lot of flexibility and options in the fast-evolving world of technology and its applications – a world that continues to grow year after year. According to the , creative computing jobs are expanding rapidly, particularly in software development, web design and digital animation.

Your degree will give you the ability to work across multiple segments of the digital economy in roles such as interactive designers and/or developers, creative AI developers, creative technologists, software engineers, project managers, fine artists and entrepreneurs.

Sample jobs in creative computing – including jobs held by graduates of SMU’s creative computing bachelor’s program –include management consulting company analyst, associate software engineer, software developer, app developer and product developer.

Not at all. Although it’s a requirement for graduation, through the curriculum you will learn coding such as Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python and C++ through courses like Creative Coding I, II and III and Principles of Computer Science I and II.

Combining engineering, computer science, and the arts and humanities, creative computation uses technology as a powerful medium to create 2D and 3D works of art, augmented performance, intelligent physical spaces and real-time interactivity.

Creative computing is increasingly used for immersive museum exhibits, interactive installations, scientific data research, television commercials, music videos and more.

All 51³Ô¹ÏÍøMeadows students have outstanding opportunities for stellar internships and collaborations on campus. Students have the benefit of being in Dallas, a top-five media market, home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and the nation’s largest urban arts district.

Interdisciplinary projects are facilitated through the Center of Creative Computation, a research and teaching center that explores computation as a universal generative medium, integrating creative development, quantitative analysis and interdisciplinary synthesis. Another interdisciplinary opportunity is the 51³Ô¹ÏÍøMethodist Interdisciplinary Live Ensemble (SMILE) course, a for-credit ensemble of musicians and performers that performs live at events like the New York Electroacoustic Music Festival.

Read more about how students and alumni have found these experiences helped prepare them for their careers