Overview
The Department of Film and Media Arts offers both the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Film and Media Arts (FMA). The FMA program focuses on the development of creative expression and technical skills in film, video, audio, digital media, and new technologies, and the theoretical understanding of media and culture. The program recognizes and explores the creative tension between individual expression and the social, political and economic forces that shape culture at large through the creation and study of film, video and new media.
Students are trained in developing meaningful content as well as craft, theory and practice. In learning independent and mainstream approaches to production and theory, graduates will be prepared to develop their own independent productions and to assume a creative role in the motion picture, television and media industries.
Initially students declare either the Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts or the Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts with an optional Concentration in Screen Studies. In the spring of their sophomore year (60 credits), students may apply to enter one of three upper-level optional BFA concentrations in Directing, Media Arts or Screenwriting or one of three upper-level optional BA concentrations in Cinematography, Producing or Post Production.
The Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts is designed for students who wish to have a more general approach to the major. After completing the FMA core, students must take one production or writing course in either Filmmaking, Videography, Experimental Video or Screenwriting, along with one 2000-level or higher studies course. Students then design their own program with approval of their advisors, choosing a range of middle- and upper-level courses that complete a balanced approach to media study and production or a self directed emphasis in camera, lighting, sound, animation, directing, writing, producing or new media studies or production. The program requires at least one middle-level writing-intensive course, one advanced writing-intensive course, one advanced studies course and one advanced course in studies or production.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: CA-FMA-BA
To Apply for a BFA in Film and Media Arts with Concentrations in Directing, Media Arts or Screenwriting
To be considered, students need to complete 60 credits by the end of their sophomore year, earn an average of 3.0 in six foundational and intermediate courses (see each program page for details), submit a BFA application to the department, and provide a portfolio. The BFA application must be submitted to the department no later than the deadline announced on the Film and Media Studies Undergraduate Listserv in the spring semester in which the student reaches sixty credits. Students with less than an average of 3.0 in the six courses or who have only completed five of the six courses may petition the department for admission to one of the BFA concentrations. (See concentration faculty advisor.) Students who were not admitted to one of the BFA concentrations can continue in the BA in Film and Media Arts or the BA in Film and Media Arts with a Concentration in Screen Studies or apply for one of the three upper-level BA concentrations.
To Apply for a BA in Film and Media Arts with Concentrations in Cinematography, Producing or Post Production
To be considered, students need to complete 60 credits by the end of their sophomore year, earn an average of 3.0 in six foundational and intermediate courses (see each program page for details), submit a BA with Concentration application to the department, and provide a portfolio. The BA with Concentration application must be submitted to the department no later than the deadline announced on the Film and Media Studies Undergraduate Listserv in the spring semester in which the student reaches sixty credits. If a student has less than an average of 3.0 in these courses, the student may petition the department for admission into one of the three upper-level concentrations or choose to remain in their initial program—either the BA in Film and Media Arts or the BA in Film and Media Arts with a Concentration in Screen Studies.
Transfer Students Applying to the BFA in Film and Media Arts with Concentrations in Directing, Media Arts or Screenwriting, or the BA in Film and Media Arts with Concentrations in Cinematography, Producing or Post Production
All internal and external transfer students who have transferred no equivalent FMA courses may apply to the BFA or the BA with an upper-level concentration in their second year as a Film and Media Arts student, provided they have completed all application requirements and a creative portfolio. Transfer students who have courses equivalent to the FMA core will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be able to apply for the BFA or the BA with an upper-level concentration in their first year as a Film and Media Arts student. Please see advisor for a long-term academic plan. All transfer students should be aware that completing either the BFA or the BA with an upper-level concentration may extend their time at Temple.
Exceptional cases for direct admission to the BFA or BA with upper-level concentrations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Concentration Faculty Advisor.
Los Angeles Study-Away Program
The Department of Film and Media Arts offers a department-run study-away academic and internship program in Los Angeles every semester. Students may apply to attend in fall, spring and summer of their junior and senior years. They may complete an online course, FMA 2670 with the topic Hollywood Head Start, before attending the Los Angeles Program, which may reduce program costs. Students interested in this option should apply to the Los Angeles Program through the Study-Away Office.
Special Considerations for Directing and Screenwriting BFA Students
Because it is a more structured curriculum than that of the other Film and Media Arts sequences, students in the BFA in FMA's concentrations in Directing and Screenwriting who wish to participate in the Los Angeles Program must carefully plan ahead. They should meet with the BFA Director well before the semester they plan to attend the Los Angeles Program. BFA in FMA students in the Directing and Screenwriting concentrations have the following options:
- Option 1 is open to BFA students in the Directing and Screenwriting concentrations. They may attend the Los Angeles Program during the summer semester after their junior or senior years. To reduce summer cost, students may earn four of the eight hours normally required for the summer semester by completing an online course, FMA 2670 with the topic Hollywood Head Start, during the fall or spring semesters. Students interested in this option should apply to the Los Angeles Program through the Study-Away Office.
- Option 2 is open to BFA students in the Directing concentration. These students may seek permission from the Director to attend the Los Angeles Program during the spring of their junior year. They must 1) find a Los Angeles internship that will replace the normally required FMA 3241 BFA Junior Directing, 2) demonstrate from their performance in prior BFA courses that they can complete online the required FMA 3343 Screenwriting II, and 3) submit a plan to complete all otherwise required courses and credits to earn the BFA. These must be approved by the BFA Director.
- Option 3 is open to BFA students in the Screenwriting concentration. These students may seek permission from the BFA Director to attend the Los Angeles Program during the spring of their junior year, or the fall or spring of their senior year. They must 1) demonstrate from their performance in prior BFA courses that they can complete online the required FMA 3343 Screenwriting II, and 2) submit a plan to complete all otherwise required courses and credits to earn the BFA. These must be approved by the BFA Director.
Other Internships and Special Programs
FMA has an extensive internship program throughout the year in Philadelphia. Additionally, many organizations in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Washington, D.C. provide regular opportunities for student professional internships. Temple University offers Temple-run special programs for study and research in Rome and Tokyo.
Contact Information
Chet Pancake, Department Chair
Annenberg Hall, Room 14B
2020 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
tue89498@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
The Bachelor of Arts degree may be conferred upon a student majoring in Film and Media Arts by recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 121 credit hours. Students must complete:
- University requirements:
- New students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
- All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are listed below and identified with the code "WI".
- No more than 21 FMA credits can be transferred to the major.
- Students must earn a grade of "C-" or better in all Film and Media Arts courses that count towards the degree.
- Students may take up to 6 internship credits in Film and Media Arts.
- Students may count at least 42 FMA credits and a maximum of 66 FMA credits toward the 121 credit hours required for the degree.
Meeting 42 Credit Requirement
The following represents requirements for completing the BA in Film and Media Arts. Because some of these courses are variable credits, they may not add up to the 42 credits required for the degree. In that case, students must take additional FMA electives at the 2000+ level to reach the required 42 credits.
FMA Foundation Courses
Film and Media Arts students will complete the following courses by the end of the sophomore year:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FMA 1141 | Film, Video and Interactive Foundations I | 4 |
| FMA 1142 | Film, Video and Interactive Foundations II | 4 |
| FMA 1171 | Media & Culture | 3 |
| FMA 1172 | Introduction to Film and Video Analysis | 3 |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Filmmaking | ||
| Videography | ||
| Experimental Video and Multi-Media | ||
| Screenwriting I 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Survey of New Media | ||
| Film History I (1895-1950) | ||
| Film History II (1950-Present) | ||
| History of Experimental Film and Video Art | ||
| Two FMA 2000+ level Studies or Production Electives 1 | 6-8 | |
| FMA 3000+ Writing-Intensive Elective (WI) | 4 | |
| FMA 3000+ level Studies Elective 2 | 3-4 | |
| FMA 3000+ level Production or Studies Elective 2 | 3-4 | |
| Total FMA Credit Hours | 42 | |
- 1
If FMA 2396 is not taken, then one of the 2000+ Studies or Production electives must be Writing Intensive.
- 2
For which the student has completed the prerequisites.
Suggested Academic Plan
Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.
Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| FMA 1141 | Film, Video and Interactive Foundations I | 4 |
| FMA 1171 | Media & Culture | 3 |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FMA 1142 | Film, Video and Interactive Foundations II | 4 |
| FMA 1172 | Introduction to Film and Video Analysis | 3 |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Survey of New Media | ||
| Film History I (1895-1950) | ||
| Film History II (1950-Present) | ||
| History of Experimental Film and Video Art | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Filmmaking | ||
| Videography | ||
| Experimental Video and Multi-Media | ||
| Screenwriting I [WI] | ||
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| FMA 2000+ Studies or Production Elective | 3-4 | |
| FMA 2000+ Studies or Production Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-17 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FMA 3000+ Studies Elective | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Internship | ||
FMA 3000+ Studies or Production Elective | ||
| Electives | 12 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FMA 3000+ Writing-Intensive Elective WI | 4 | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| FMA Elective | 3-4 | |
| Electives | 10 | |
| Credit Hours | 13-14 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 121-128 | |
- 1
Must select a writing intensive course if FMA 2396 is not taken.