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 Fine Arts in Film and Media Arts with an optional Concentration in Media Arts is an intensive, professional degree that prepares students to enter graduate Media Arts programs or pursue artistic careers in the media arts or in the creative industries. Areas of study include video installation, video art, media projection design for performance/sculpture/public space, interactive narrative, location-based media and mobile augmented reality, sensor-based interactive media, 2D and 3D digital animation, video game theory/design/programming, web design and net art, social practice, and other forms of experimental media. Studies will culminate in the completion and exhibition of an advanced creative project in the capstone Media Arts Project Classes.

Students interested in the Media Arts concentration must complete the following courses by the end of their sophomore year:

FMA 1141Film, Video and Interactive Foundations I4
FMA 1142Film, Video and Interactive Foundations II4
FMA 1171Media & Culture3
FMA 1451Survey of New Media3
FMA 2242Videography4
FMA 2451Experimental Video and Multi-Media4
One of the following:4
Screenwriting I
Physical Computing
Digital Animation, Compositing and Modeling

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: CA-FMA-BFA

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.

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 should complete FMA 2071 Creative Industry Head Start before attending the Los Angeles Program. Students interested in this option should contact the director of the Los Angeles Program, Alison Crouse, at alison.crouse@temple.edu.

Special Considerations for Media Arts BFA Students:

Because the BFA has a more structured curriculum than that of the general Film and Media Arts program, Media Arts BFA students who wish to participate in the Los Angeles Program should consult with their academic advisor to determine the appropriate semester or summer to fit their degree path. They should meet with their advisor well before the semester they plan to attend the Los Angeles Program.

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

Sarah Drury, Associate Professor
215-204-3859
sarah.drury@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Fine 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 Fine Arts in Film and Media Arts with Concentration in Media Arts

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree may be conferred upon a student majoring in Film and Media Arts with a concentration in Media Arts by recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students must complete:

  1. University Requirements:
    • New students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
    • All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses specified by the major. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are listed below and identified with the code "WI".
  2. No more than 21 FMA credits can be transferred to the major.
  3. A student must earn a grade of "C-" or better in all Film and Media Arts courses that count towards the degree.
  4. Students may take up to 8 internship credits in Film and Media Arts.
  5. Students may count a maximum of 84 FMA credit hours toward the 120 credit hours required for the degree.

FMA Foundation Courses

Students seeking to enter the BFA with a Concentration in Media Arts will complete the following courses by the end of the sophomore year:

FMA 1141Film, Video and Interactive Foundations I4
FMA 1142Film, Video and Interactive Foundations II4
FMA 1171Media & Culture3
FMA 1451Survey of New Media3

Concentration Requirements

Courses required after completion of FMA Foundation Courses:

FMA 2242Videography4
FMA 3453Interdisciplinary Media Studio4
Select one of the following:4
Web Art & Design
Physical Computing
Digital Animation, Compositing and Modeling
FMA 2451Experimental Video and Multi-Media4
FMA 2000+Writing Intensive Elective (WI)3-4
Select four of the following:16
Introduction to 3D: Modeling
Introduction to 3D: Animation
Audio: Production and Aesthetics
Physical Computing
Experimental Media Workshop
Interactive Narrative
Video Game Theory and Writing
FMA 3452New Technologies Lab4
FMAStudies Elective in Digital Arts3-4
FMAMedia History Studies Elective3
FMA 3000+Advanced Writing Intensive Elective (WI)4
FMA 4442BFA Media Arts Project I (This course can be retaken)4
FMA 4443BFA Media Arts Project II (This course can be retaken)4
Total FMA Credit Hours:71-73

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Media Arts with Concentration in Media Arts

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit 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 Hours15
Spring
FMA 1142 Film, Video and Interactive Foundations II 4
FMA 1451 Survey of New Media 3
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
FMA 2242 Videography 4
FMA 2000+ Writing Intensive Elective WI 3-4
FMA 2451 Experimental Video and Multi-Media 4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours14-15
Spring
Select one of the following: 4
Web Art & Design  
Physical Computing  
Digital Animation, Compositing and Modeling  
FMA Studies Elective in Digital Arts 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
 Credit Hours16-17
Year 3
Fall
FMA 3453 Interdisciplinary Media Studio 4
Select two of the following: 8
Introduction to 3D: Modeling  
Introduction to 3D: Animation  
Audio: Production and Aesthetics  
Physical Computing  
Experimental Media Workshop  
Interactive Narrative  
Video Game Theory and Writing  
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
FMA 3000+ Advanced Writing Intensive Elective WI 4
Select two of the following: 8
Introduction to 3D: Modeling  
Introduction to 3D: Animation  
Audio: Production and Aesthetics  
Physical Computing  
Experimental Media Workshop  
Interactive Narrative  
Video Game Theory and Writing  
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
FMA 4442 BFA Media Arts Project I 4
FMA Media History Studies Elective 4
FMA 3452 New Technologies Lab 4
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
FMA 4443 BFA Media Arts Project II 4
FMA Elective 4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours120-122