Students who graduate from UNLV's Entertainment Engineering Design program develop next generation entertainment systems used throughout the globe. (Josh Hawkins/UNLV)
The interdisciplinary bachelor's degree prepares students for careers at the intersection of technology and entertainment in Las Vegas and beyond.
UNLV’s interdisciplinary bachelor’s program in Entertainment Engineering and Design (EED) received accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), valid through Sept. 30, 2029 — making it the only ABET-accredited B.S. in EED program in the world.
The program — shared jointly by the UNLV Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering and the College of Fine Arts — fuses engineering and fine arts, educating students at the intersection of theater, art, film, architecture and the engineering disciplines.
“ABET accreditation is a testament to the rigor in meeting the accreditation standards of our Entertainment Engineering and Design program,” said Rama Venkat, Dean of the UNLV College of Engineering. “As the only accredited B.S. in EED program in the world, UNLV is leading the way in preparing students for careers at the intersection of engineering and the arts.”
Las Vegas — known as the Entertainment Capital of the World — serves as a living lab for students. And, as the Strip and other venues have evolved since the program’s creation nearly 20 years ago, the need for emerging and cutting-edge technologies only continues to increase.
“The EED program was developed for the workforce of Las Vegas,” said Michael Genova, EED program director. “With the highly sophisticated technical shows going on, constantly pushing the envelope of what can be done — that’s how the program evolved, why it originated. EED is an understanding of the fine arts that create the event, and all of the engineering and technology that is behind it as well.”
Recent graduates of the program are working in themed entertainment, rock n’ roll, productions on the Las Vegas Strip, audio engineering, and even as video game designers, said Genova.
ABET accreditation assures confidence that a collegiate program has met standards essential to prepare graduates to enter critical STEM fields in the global workforce.
“This achievement reflects our commitment to excellence and our unique ability to leverage Las Vegas as both classroom and laboratory, ensuring our graduates are ready to meet the evolving demands of the entertainment industry,” said Venkat.