Degree Programs
The USC School of Cinema-Television offers professional and academic degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels.
Bachelor of Arts -- Cinema Television
Students can choose either a Film and Television Production or Critical Studies track. The degree is granted through the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the School of Cinema-Television. The B.A. degree requires 128 units.
Bachelor of Arts -- Interactive Entertainment
The Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Entertainment is granted through the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the school of Cinema-Television. Students study within a framework which combines a broad liberal arts background with a specialization in a profession. Undergraduate students take their pre-professional courses in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, including the general education requirements. Major courses are selected from the curriculum of the School of Cinema-Television. The degree requires 128 units, including 10 lower division units and 34 upper division units in cinema-television.
Bachelor of Fine Arts -- Writing for Screen and Television
This is a unique program designed for students who wish to receive intensive training for non-fiction and fiction for screen and television. The B.F.A. in Writing for Screen and Television is granted through the School of Cinema-Television and requires 128 units.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration -- Emphasis in Cinema-Television
This program offers a unique coupling of the Marshall School of Business and the School of Cinema-Television in a four year joint degree. In addition to the Marshall School of Business core classes, the students will also take a total of 24 units from the School of Cinema-Television. The competitive program is offered to freshmen admitted to the Marshall School of Business as Business Scholars. Upon completion of all requirements, students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Cinema-Television. See the
Marshall School of Business for course requirements.
Master of Arts, Cinema-Television
This degree, which allows a track in Critical Studies, is granted by the USC Graduate School in conjunction with the School of Cinema-Television. The Critical Studies track requires 36 units.
Master of Fine Arts, Cinema-Television
The School of Cinema-Television offers this professional degree in two tracks: Film and Television Production and Writing for Screen and Television. The Writing for Screen and Television track requires 44 units and the Film and Television Production track requires 52 units.
Master of Fine Arts, Film, Video and Computer Animation
This program requires 50 units.
Master of Fine Arts, Interactive Media
This program requires 56 units.
Master of Fine Arts, Motion Picture Producing
The Peter Stark Producing Program requires 44 units.
Doctor of Philosophy, Cinema-Television (Critical Studies)
The Ph.D. is based on a program of study and research culminating in the completion of a dissertation in the major field of study. A minimum of 68 semester units (exclusive of dissertation registration) beyond the baccalaureate is required. Applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts degree in Cinema-Television, or a closely related field, may apply to the Ph.D. program. The doctoral degree is granted by the Graduate School in conjunction with the School of Cinema-Television.
Cinema-Television Minor
A minor in cinema-television is available to USC undergraduate students in all schools and departments. The minor provides the opportunity for students to become familiar with various aspects of media study. Admission to the minor program is granted in the fall and spring semesters. The program requires 24 units.
Minor in Film, Video and Computer Animation
The minor in animation offers students an introduction to the theory and practice of animation, including its relationship to the history of art and cinema, creative writing, and basic film production. It provides students with an opportunity to create both personal and collaborative work in a wide range of genres, from traditional character to contemporary experimental and computer animation. The program requires 32 units.
Minor in Performing Arts Studies
The minor in performing arts provides an interdisciplinary inquiry into the nature and aesthetics of the performing arts. It combines the disciplines of cinema-television, dance, music and theatre. The minor is a unique course of study that looks at how the performing arts contribute to a culturally literate society. See the
School of Theatre for requirements.
Minor in Screenwriting
The minor in screenwriting provides thorough training in the craft of writing for screen and television. Students learn the fundamentals of character, conflict and scene structure and build on their skills through each course as they write feature and television scripts in all genres and explore areas of their interest. Students may apply in the spring or fall semester. The program requires 24 units.
Minor in 3-D Animation
See the
School of Engineering, Information Technology for requirements.
Minor in Video Game Design and Management
See the
School of Engineering, Information Technology for requirements.
Writing in Screen and Television Certificate
The Writing in Screen and Television Certificate provides an established writer, domestic or international, with a one-year program of study. It is meant to accommodate a writer who has already attained significant recognition and would like to learn the craft of screenwriting. Sixteen units are required.
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