Bachelors In

Film Studies Degrees

The complete guide on what you’ll learn, job prospects, university programs, and saving time and money.
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Why We Love It

  • $46,630
    Potential Avg. Salary*
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook

* Salary & growth data is based on the recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics data published at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes274011.htm for 27-4011 Audio and video equipment technicians 11/2021. Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

In a bachelor of arts in film studies program, you’ll learn how to study, analyze, and critique movies in much the same way that literature students and literary scholars approach literature.

You’ll take courses in film history, learn about filmmaking and directing, and explore how film highlights and impacts culture. This will prepare you for a career as a screenplay writer, movie critic, documentarian, or director.

What is a Degree in Film Studies?

In many ways, movies, TV shows, and documentaries are the literature of today’s society. Like literature, filmed productions can be analyzed for meaning, historical and cultural importance, originality, and aesthetic value.

This is exactly what students learn to do in a film studies program. Students study film history, examine how movies highlight and impact culture, and learn to apply literary and film analysis to different filmed productions in order to document findings in scholarly and research papers.

In addition to theoretical studies, many film studies programs also have a practical coursework component. Students may learn how to operate cameras and audio equipment, how to edit captured movies using modern video editing programs, and how to direct actors and actresses in films and plays. Some programs also offer a screenwriting concentration.

Graduates can find work in a variety of film-industry careers, such as movie reviewer, film critic, director, documentarian, and screenplay writer.

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What Courses Would I Take For a Major in Film Studies?

  • Film Theory
  • Transnational Approaches to Cinema
  • Gender and Race in Film
  • Digital Media and Animation
  • Screenwriting
  • TV, New Media, and Culture
  • Film Aesthetics
  • History of Film

What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in Film Studies?

TV shows and movies are some of the most successful forms of modern entertainment, so talented screenwriters, directors, and film critics have the potential to enjoy long and successful careers.

Even individuals who aren’t able to make it in Hollywood or New York can still pursue their dreams. Many individuals and businesses today are creating more videos, building YouTube channels, and growing their income with online film, so there are plenty of alternative opportunities for film studies graduates.

How Long does it take?

A bachelors in Film Studies will have a typical length of 4 years in a full time schedule. That said, there are many ways to speed up the timeframe by either taking more units via online coursework, community college, or taking free classes at OnlineDegree.com that could transfer to universities in the US.

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Best Jobs for Film Studies Degrees

Film studies graduates commonly find themselves in careers within the entertainment industry as screenwriters, directors, producers, sitcom writers, and documentarians.

However, some go into online entertainment and make a living as YouTube stars or the crewmembers behind the biggest online personalities. Some also work in business and produce or direct commercials and marketing videos.

How to save time and money

Our mission is to help you to avoid paying full price for college. We want your Film Studies degree to be affordable and accessible. Here’s how you could save:

Create Your Free SmartPlan

There are many ways to make college affordable and accessible.

That’s why we created a helpful tool called SmartPlan.

It’s free, and helps you find potential ways to save and tons of information about each school you’re considering

Think of it as your “college blueprint”, to help you instantly craft a path to your degree:

  • Which Colleges Match Your Needs
  • Ways You Could Save Time & Money
  • Free Courses You Could Take for Credit
  • Valuable Data and Insights on Each College
  • Detailed Steps You Should Take!

See what’s possible for you and generate a free plan within just a few minutes

Create My SmartPlan

Get a Certificate in Film Studies First

A certificate program usually takes less than a year to earn, and students can enter the program right after graduating from high school. Certificate programs provide an overview of a topic, so students interested in film studies can earn certificates to gain an introductory understanding of film history, theory, filmmaking, and directing.

That knowledge can be used to find entry-level work in the field, which can help students earn professional experience and income while pursuing their bachelor’s.

You Might also be Interested in

Many visitors who look for a degree in Film Studies are also interested in the following degrees.

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