Best Online Film Degree Programs
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If you are interested in earning an online bachelor's in film, use this page to learn more about opportunities available to you. Here, you can review the best film programs of 2020, common courses, admission requirements, potential career paths, and other valuable information related to a bachelor's degree in film.
What Are the Best Online Bachelor's in Film Programs? Here Are Our Top 2:
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| #1 | Arizona State University Scottsdale, AZ |
| #2 | The University of Montana Missoula, MT |
A film degree can yield lucrative career opportunities. Many graduates choose to pursue careers as producers and directors. These professionals experience annual median salaries of $71,680 and enjoy a projected job outlook of 5%. New York boasts the highest employment levels for producers and directors, and it represents the highest-paying state for the occupation.
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Related Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Accredited Online Bachelor's in Film Programs
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Best Online Bachelor's in Film Programs
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Arizona State UniversityLocation
Scottsdale, AZ
Tuition$14166
Graduation Rate14%
A public university based in the Phoenix metropolitan area, ASU offers an online bachelor's in film and media studies. Students garner a broader understanding of media genres from analytical, historical, and theoretical perspectives. This degree program prepares students to enter the film industry for the first time or complements their technical filmmaking skills by focusing on interpretive and investigative skills.
Applicants must have a high school diploma showing competency in math, English, and science, as well as one year of fine arts or career and technical education. Core courses include emerging digital media, race and gender in U.S. media, and screenwriting fundamentals.
ASU receives regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.
Program Snapshot
Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in film and media studies
School Status: Public
Tuition: $561-$661 per credit hour
Credit Requirements: 120 credit hours
Program Length: Four years
Format: Online
Instruction Style: AsynchronousAdmission Requirements
Find up-to-date admission requirements for ASU Online's Bachelor of Arts in film and media studies and request more information.
Contact the School
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The University of MontanaLocation
Missoula, MT
Tuition$14186
Graduation Rate46%
A public university in Missoula, UM offers anonline bachelor's in media arts through its School of Visual and Media Arts. Students study emerging digital trends and learn how to apply digital design tools such as animation, film editing, and gaming technologies to their creative pursuits.
Students in this program can prepare for careers as web designers, animators, creative directors, and more. Courses include creative coding, graphic design applications, and the creation of media stories. Media arts classes contribute to one of four thematic categories — digital, material, history and theory, or time — giving students a holistic education in the discipline.
UM receives regional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Program Snapshot
Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts
School Status: Public
Tuition: $3,524 per 15-credit semester (in-state); $9,120 per 15-credit semester (out-of-state)
Credit Requirements: 120 credits
Degree Completion Program: No
Program Length: 4 years
Format: Online
Instruction Style: AsynchronousAdmission Requirements
GPA: 2.5 minimum required
Standardized Tests: ACT or SAT requirement waived until spring 2022Contact the School
Online Bachelor's in Film Program Overview
While specific requirements differ depending on the school, degree-seekers typically explore similar courses, including those centering on digital imaging, film production, audio recording and sound design, and film genres. Curriculum structures include core coursework, film studies courses, elective options, and seminars.
Assignments often allow learners to work directly with hardware and software used in the film industry. Students may participate in video shoots so they can connect course concepts to film and video production. Internship opportunities also provide degree-seekers with valuable, in-the-field experience to prepare them for their respective film careers after graduation.
Common Bachelor's in Film Degree Courses
Lighting for Motion Pictures
Degree-seekers learn about the technical skills and aesthetic conventions involved with motion picture lighting. They learn how to use the equipment and techniques for on-location and in-studio production settings, specifically exploring how to achieve professional quality video images.
Film Analysis and Criticism
Taking a humanities-based approach to cinema, this course allows learners to focus on elements of camera operation, sound, narrative and editing. During their assignments, students focus on the approaches to film theory and criticism within international and historical contexts, understanding how to analyze films and produce quality critiques.
Cinematography
Students explore concepts of technical and artistic operation of cameras and other video equipment used in motion picture production. Course topics focus on file formats, application of post-production techniques, composition, camera movement, and exposure.
Modes of Video Production
During this course, students consider digital video production modes used across documentaries, web videos, personal narratives, and fiction. Learners work hands-on with common hardware and software while participating in video shoots.
Online Bachelor's in Film Admission Requirements
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Official Transcripts
Before learners can pursue a bachelor's degree, they must hold a high school diploma or complete their GED. During the admissions process, applicants must provide their official transcripts, detailing the coursework they completed during their high school education.
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Minimum GPA
Although not all colleges and universities require bachelor's students to meet a minimum GPA requirement, many prefer to admit students who hold a specific GPA, usually between 2.5 and 3.0.
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Letters of Recommendation
Some higher learning institutions require applicants to provide letters of recommendation with their admissions application. Admissions departments will outline how many letters are required, generally requesting 1-3 letters written by professional or educational references.
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ACT or SAT Scores
Bachelor's degree applicants must provide their SAT or ACT test scores along with their admissions application and high school transcripts. Institutions may provide a minimum score requirement for admission, but some may not require these scores at all.
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Admissions Essay
Applicants may need to submit an essay or a statement of purpose with their admission materials. These essays allow students to describe how earning a degree from the institution will help them accomplish their educational and professional goals.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor's in Film?
Many careers for graduates with a bachelor's degree in film relate to written, visual and auditory storytelling. These degrees may also open specialized doors in animation, visual production, and illustration.
Self-employment is popular in the film industry. Although it often provides for less restrictive work schedules and more travel, it can also be more intense in terms of stability. Graduates often pursue careers as animators, cinematographers, screenwriters, and directors in Hollywood.
Popular Career Paths
Popular Continuing Education Paths
How Much Money Can I Make With a Bachelor's in Film?
According to PayScale, film and television producers earn an average annual salary of $70,610. According to the BLS, producers and directors make a median annual salary of $76,400, while video editors and camera operators earn $61,900 per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do with a bachelor's in film?
Careers include broadcast engineers, television production coordinators, broadcast presententers, and film producers and directors.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in film?
Students who enroll in their bachelor's program full time typically graduate within four years; part-time students may take closer to five years to earn their degree.
Do you need a degree in film?
Many film careers require professionals to hold a bachelor's degree, although some entry-level opportunities allow professionals to work with only an associate degree or high school diploma.
What classes do you take in a bachelor's in film program?
Students can expect to focus on courses, such as film technologies, film theory and criticism, and screenwriting, that will allow them to build their knowledge and skills in the film industry to pursue successful careers after graduation.
How much can you earn with a bachelor's in film?
Salary opportunities for professionals who hold a bachelor's degree in film vary depending on the career they pursue and the state in which they work. Annual salaries range from $33,000 to $71,000.
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