The Master of Fine Arts in Digital Production Arts (DPA) at Clemson University is a professional degree program aimed at producing technically savvy, artistically talented graduates who are sought after by the growing electronic arts industry, particularly by those companies engaged in special effects within the entertainment and commercial video, film, and gaming industries. The recent advent of dramatic special effects in film, television, and games has created an unprecedented demand for educational programs leading to careers in the field. To fill this need, the DPA program offers a unique blend of instruction from art, computer science, computer engineering, graphic communications, performing arts, philosophy, and psychology, together with newly designed courses targeted at production techniques specific to the animation effects industry.

The program has some assistantship money, which is granted on a competitive basis upon application, and is renewable for a maximum of two years, assuming good standing with the university and the program. The assistantships, which are for 20 hours of work per week, pay tuition and living expenses.