USC Catalogue: The Schools: USC School of Cinematic Arts: Degree Programs

Degree Programs

The USC School of Cinematic Arts offers professional and academic degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels.

Bachelor of Arts — Animation and Digital Arts

This program combines a broad liberal arts background with specialization in a profession. The degree is granted through the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the School of Cinematic Arts. The degree requires 128 units.

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 Cinematic Arts. The 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 Cinematic Arts. The degree requires 128 units.

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 writing for screen and television. The B.F.A. in Writing for Screen and Television is granted through the School of Cinematic Arts 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 Cinematic Arts 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 Cinematic Arts. This 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 Cinematic Arts. The Critical Studies track requires 36 units.

Master of Fine Arts, Cinema-Television

The School of Cinematic Arts 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, Animation and Digital Arts

This program requires 50 units.

Master of Fine Arts, Interactive Media

This program requires 50 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 Cinematic Arts.

Doctor of Philosophy, Cinematic Arts (Media Arts and Practice)

The Ph.D. in Media Arts and Practice is an interdivisional doctoral program in the School of Cinematic Arts. This Ph.D. program situates technique, technology and creative vision alongside the historical and theoretical contexts of critical media studies. A minimum of 60 units (exclusive of dissertation registration) beyond the baccalaureate is required. Applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts in Critical Studies, or a Master of Fine Arts in Interactive Media, Animation, or closely related field, may apply to the Ph.D. program.

Minor in Cinema-Television

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 Animation and Digital Arts

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 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 Cinema-Television for the Health Professions

This minor is designed for students who plan to enter careers or professional programs in medicine after graduation and are interested in working with film and television producers to disseminate accurate health information to the public. The program requires 24 units. See the Keck School of Medicine for requirements.

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. The minor requires 20 units. See the School of Theatre for requirements.

Minor in 2-D Art for Games

See Roski School of Fine Arts.

Minor in 3-D Art for Games