Best Bachelor's in Film Programs

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Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Depending on the school, there can be several possible film degrees to choose from or a single program that provides a more general overview. Larger schools may offer degrees in the history and theory of cinema, creative aspects of the industry like film and TV production, directing, writing, acting, visual effects, animation, and the business side of the film world with majors in producing or in combination with a business degree. Smaller schools may have programs that take a higher-level look at film with titles like film studies, film and television, and radio-television-film. There is less specialization in these programs, but students get a broader understanding of the industry.

Associate Degrees in Film

At this level, students might look for degrees like an Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) in Filmmaking or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Film. With these programs, the time to completion varies greatly, with shorter programs taking just over a year and longer ones lasting around two years. Students might study film theory and history, but these degrees are largely a hands-on experience; students make movies themselves, often in groups with other classmates. Graduates with an associate degree in film often learn foundational skills like directing, screenwriting, production, editing, and sound production and design.

Bachelor's Degrees in Film

Perhaps the most common degree level in film offered at private and public colleges and universities is a bachelor's degree. These can be a Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). These programs typically take around four years to complete, as students must usually earn approximately 120 credit hours to graduate. Students obtaining one of these bachelor's degrees learn many of the same subjects that their associate degree counterparts do, though they go more in-depth and get more hands-on experience. Some programs are more general than others, offering a degree in cinematic arts, film studies, or some similarly broad title. Others get more specific, giving students the chance to specialize in certain areas of film like cinematography, directing, producing, or screenwriting. Students often have a final film project that must be completed to graduate. They may also need to finish an internship in addition to or in lieu of that project.

Master's Degrees in Film

Like undergraduate degrees in film, graduate degrees in film may require students to pick an area to concentrate on, or they may take a broader approach to the study of cinema. Graduate students typically earn a Master of Fine Arts in Film, though they can also earn a Master of Arts. These degrees can become so specialized that there are specific programs for nonfiction filmmaking, or they can be focused on certain traditional aspects of filmmaking like screenwriting or producing. Other programs focus more on the theoretical, critical, and historical perspectives of movies. Regardless of specialization, these degrees typically take around two years to complete, with students earning about 60 credit hours. They often conclude with students making a thesis film or writing a thesis about a subject in film.

Doctoral Degrees in Film

Earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in film is usually only a step taken by those who seek to become film scholars, as these degrees are primarily focused on the history, theory, and research of the cinematic medium. An entrance exam or essay may be required before beginning one of these programs. Generally, a PhD in film takes four or more years to earn and they can require upwards of 70 credit hours. Some of these may be earned while getting a master's in film, depending on the university. Certain programs are also interdisciplinary, combining film studies with another, related subject. A thesis or dissertation that requires research and an oral defense frequently serves as the final project for PhD students.

Certificates in Film

Numerous reputable universities and programs offer certificates in film that can be used as continuing education opportunities or a way to learn the basic skills needed to begin working in the industry. Courses are typically hyper-focused on one subject, such as cinematography, screenwriting or film and video production. Schools that offer more certificates will frequently have ones covering a range of areas within the art of film, each of which requires students to complete around four classes. These programs can be completed in as little as three months to as long as a year, depending on the program.

Individuals in these programs can learn specific skills related to certain parts of film, like animation, and specialize in that, or they can have more of a wide understanding of the entire process. Neither of these approaches is inherently better than the other. It all depends on what a student wants and what school they choose. Common concentrations include:

• Animation
• Film & television production
• Film or cinema studies
• Producing
• Screenwriting
• Film & television
• Cinematography
• Editing
• Sound design
• Film music composition
• Production design
• Visual effects

As with most bachelor's degrees, film students must complete general education requirements in addition to those specific to their major. Additionally, they must complete a number of required and elective classes within the film discipline, the subject and number of which vary from program to program. Many classes also have multiple levels. For example, a student may be required to take Directing I and Directing II. Common course titles include:

• Introduction to screenwriting
• American movie history
• American television history
• Contemporary film overview
• History of European film
• Cinematography
• Film editing
• Directing
• Intermediate screenwriting
• Producing
• Animation
• Documentary history
• Filmmaking
• Advanced Filmmaking

It takes most students four years to earn a bachelor's degree in film. Getting this degree usually requires students to complete around 120 credit hours of classes, which typically equates to around 40 individual courses. This degree can be a difficult one to earn faster because of how many time-consuming projects are involved, but those wanting to graduate sooner can take classes over the summer or other non-traditional times to complete their requirements in fewer than four years.

There is no major accrediting organization for schools or programs focused on film. The National Association of Schools of Art & Design does accredit some film degree programs. Programs without accreditation aren't necessarily worse but it can still be worthwhile to ensure a university offering a film degree is accredited.

School-wide accreditation is also important. It demonstrates a level of quality, improves the chances of transferring credits and qualifies you to apply for federal financial aid. Some regional accreditors to look for include the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), all of which are approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

It is not required to have any sort of license or certification to work in film, though that does not mean obtaining one is without benefits. Some of the most common certifications are in the technical side of filmmaking. For example, popular editing programs like Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, and Avid all offer courses individuals can take to be certified in using those tools by the companies that created them. It is not necessary to be certified, but it can teach valuable skills and show potential employers your expertise, especially if you are just starting out in the film industry or do not have an advanced degree.

An individual film can employ hundreds or even thousands of people in a number of roles. Even smaller projects like commercials for advertising companies still require the efforts of several professionals. All those people work in a variety of jobs in film both in front of and behind the camera. Possible occupations for those with film degrees include:

• Director
• Filmmaker
• Producer
• Set designer
• Cinematographer
• Costume designer
• Actor
• Prop master
• Production coordinator
• Makeup artist
• Camera operator
• Film critic
• Editor
• Composer

How to Become a Producer

Producer job duties include overseeing many aspects of filmmaking, whether it be in fiction films, content for social media sites, advertising campaigns, or other projects. The producer shepherds a project throughout its life, including selecting a script or topic, finding a director, assisting with selecting cast members, approving the financial aspects of production, ensuring a project stays on schedule and within its budget, and promoting the finished product. While they handle many of the business decisions related to filming, producers must still work with virtually everyone in the cast and crew, so people skills are a must for those considering this profession. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2019 that the median salary of a person who can combine all these skills to work as a producer was $74,420. Employment as a producer is expected to grow 10 percent between 2019 and 2029.

To become a producer, individuals need a relevant education and professional experience. Producers typically have at least a bachelor's degree, usually in film, though some have degrees in subjects like journalism, business, or nonprofit management. Gaining experience usually involves working in low-profile jobs to learn how the film business and how film sets operate. Producers gradually work their way up to that title, which is among the most powerful in any project.

How to Become a Film and Video Editor

Likewise, film and video editors often start by earning a bachelor's degree in subjects like cinema, broadcasting, or communications. Often, these individuals become experts in particular editing software through school or work experience. Editors may also obtain certification to demonstrate their expertise with a particular editing program. During and after college, those seeking to become video editors should get as much relevant experience as possible.

These professionals work with other filmmakers like the director to assemble a movie or some other filmed product from raw footage. This requires communication with the other filmmakers and the ability to experiment with various editing techniques and execute those specific edits the filmmakers have in mind. In this collaborative process, editors may have various assistants helping them comb through and create a rough cut using hours and hours of shot footage. The median salary of film and video editors in 2019 was $63,780, per the BLS. This job is expected to grow 22 percent over the 2020s, much faster than the average for all occupations.

To begin searching for financial aid for a bachelor's in film degree, students must first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application shows students what, if any, federal loans, grants or work-study requests they may qualify for. Completing the FAFSA is a decently time-consuming process that may require various documents like social security numbers, driver's license numbers and federal tax information.

In addition to this federal aid, there are a wealth of privately funded scholarships available to film students nationwide or at specific schools. This includes scholarships designed to help people belonging to demographic groups that have traditionally been marginalized in film, like women and racial minorities, get an education in the industry. Some scholarships can be talent-based, requiring prospective students to submit examples of cinematic work that would merit reward. Film students should use free scholarship search engines and peruse their chosen school's website to determine what specific scholarships they may be eligible for.

Choosing what film school to attend and what bachelor's degree program to major in can be a difficult task. Students must consider traditional questions like financial aid options, location, and the school's culture, but film majors bring a host of unique concerns. Here are a few things to consider when deciding which film school you will enroll in:

• Who has graduated from the school or program? Many of the most prestigious film schools will often boast about their famous graduates. Some of the biggest names in the industry got their start at a school a prospective filmmaker might attend, and knowing that can hint at the quality of the program.
• What specializations are available? Some industry insiders believe it is better to take the more general approach of something like a film studies degree as an undergraduate rather than concentrate on one specific area, while others think it is best to get as much experience in the facet of film that you believe you want to work in as possible. To help decide what you think is best, see what majors schools offer.
• Who teaches there? Faculty is extremely important in any discipline, and that is especially true with film. It helps to have instructors who have experience and respect within the industry, so do some research on your potential school's instructors.
• What facilities does the school or program have? Filmmaking technologies are constantly evolving, and it can be difficult for colleges to keep up. Learning the basics of film on the latest equipment means you will not have to relearn how to do things because you had outdated facilities in school, so see what a school has on the technical side.

Professional organizations in film abound; there are various groups associated with specialized jobs in the field and more general organizations catering to everyone in the film world. In addition, those who work in the film industry may be eligible to join organizations in other disciplines in which they work such as advertising. The various professional organizations have missions that include advancing the arts and sciences of motion pictures, preserving film history, educating filmmakers or the public, providing professional development opportunities, and serving as a union for its members. A few examples include:

• The American Society of Cinematographers - Founded in 1919, the ASC seeks to advance cinematography through artistry and technical progress and cement relationships between cinematographers.
• Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers - SMPTE is a global professional association that includes individuals and companies, all of which focus on the advancement and flourishment of the technical side of filmmaking and those who work in it.
• Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists - SAG-AFTRA is one of the largest unions in the industry, representing around 160,000 announcers, broadcasters, dancers, DJs, writers, editors, hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover and traditional actors, and other media professionals.