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, animation, 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, animation, 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, the Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts with an optional Concentration in Screen Studies, or the Bachelor of Fine Arts with an optional Concentration in Animation and Media Arts with a portfolio or letter of interest.
In the spring of their sophomore year (60 credits), students may apply to enter one of two upper-level optional BFA concentrations in Directing 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 with an optional Concentration in Cinematography is a liberal arts degree that prepares students to enter graduate film programs or pursue professional careers in the film and television production with a focus on Cinematography. Students will complete advanced work in Cinematography in a two-semester master class capstone.
Students interested in the Cinematography Concentration must have the following courses completed by the end of their 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 |
| FMA 2241 | Filmmaking | 4 |
| FMA 2242 | Videography | 4 |
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: CA-FMA-BA
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, Animation and 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 BA Concentration Students:
Because the BA concentrations have a more structured curriculum than that of the general Film and Media Arts program, students in the BA concentrations 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
Jennifer Schneider, Assistant Professor
jschneid@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts with Concentration in Cinematography
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
The Bachelor of Arts degree may be conferred upon a student majoring in Film and Media Arts with a concentration in Cinematography by recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 122 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.
- No more than 21 FMA credits can be transferred to the major.
- A student 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 8 internship credits in Film and Media Arts.
- Students may count a maximum of 74 FMA credit hours toward the 122 credit hours required for the degree.
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 |
Concentration Requirements
Courses required after completion of FMA Foundation Courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FMA 2241 | Filmmaking | 4 |
| FMA 2242 | Videography | 4 |
| FMA 2551 | Editing Film and Video | 4 |
| FMA 2675 | Film History I (1895-1950) | 4 |
| FMA 3244 | Lighting for Film and Video | 4 |
| FMA 3245 | BA Junior Cinematography | 4 |
| FMA 3473 | Moving Camera | 4 |
| FMA 4245 | Cinematography Master Class | 4 |
| FMA 4246 | Cinematography Master Class II 1 | 4 |
| Two 3000+ FMA Writing Intensive (WI) Electives | 8 | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Still Photography for Filmmakers | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Film History II (1950-Present) | ||
| History of Experimental Film and Video Art | ||
| Internship | ||
| Documentary Workshop I | ||
| Screen Directing | ||
| Total FMA Credit Hours | 62 | |
- 1
Students can participate in the LA Internship Program in lieu of a second semester of master class.
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 with Concentration in Cinematography
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 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 | ||
| FMA 2241 | Filmmaking | 4 |
| FMA 2675 | Film History I (1895-1950) | 4 |
| 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 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| FMA 2242 | Videography | 4 |
| FMA 2551 | Editing Film and Video | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FMA 3244 | Lighting for Film and Video | 4 |
| FMA 3473 | Moving Camera | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FMA 3245 | BA Junior Cinematography | 4 |
| 3000+ FMA Writing Intensive (WI) Elective | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FMA 4245 | Cinematography Master Class | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Still Photography for Filmmakers | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Film History II (1950-Present) | ||
| History of Experimental Film and Video Art | ||
| Internship | ||
| Documentary Workshop I | ||
| Screen Directing | ||
| Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| FMA 4246 | Cinematography Master Class II 1 | 4 |
| 3000+ FMA Writing Intensive (WI) Elective | 4 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 122 | |
- 1
Students can participate in the LA Internship Program in lieu of a second semester of Master Class.