Film Studies

Overview

Programs in film studies focus on the analysis of films.

This program includes topics such as:

Different genres of film and specific filmmakers
History of film
Film theory
Digital film
Screenwriting
Film analysis
Film making
Film production

Film studies is often an interdisciplinary program. Interdisciplinary programs combine courses from several departments. Film studies may be housed in its own department, or may be part of English, Communication, or Arts departments.

Schools

A few community colleges offer associate degree programs in film studies. An associate degree program at a community college usually takes two years of full-time study to complete.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in film studies. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

A few universities offer graduate degrees in film studies. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Producers and Directors

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

American Literature and History
Creative Writing
English Composition
English Literature
Film and Videotape

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

History of Film
Avant-Garde Film
Documentary Film
Digital Media
Film Genre (Westerns, Horror, Drama, Science Fiction)
Film and Psychoanalysis
Screenwriting
Silent Film
International Film
Media and Social Issues

Many programs offer internships with film archives. You learn how to curate films, meaning, how to organize and store them. You may also learn how to restore old films.

Things to Know

Several programs host their own film festivals. They may screen works written by their own students or organize showings of films made by established filmmakers.

Many programs encourage you to focus your studies on a particular style of film (noir, horror) or on works from a particular period. For example, you can concentrate on early American films or on the film scene in India, called Bollywood.