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 Producing 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 Producing. Students will complete intermediate and advanced work in Producing culminating in a master class capstone experience.
Students who are interested in applying for the Producing concentration would ideally complete the following courses by the end of their sophomore year. Note: It is recommended that students take Screenwriting I.
| 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 2771 | Producing | 4 |
| One of the following: | 4 | |
| Filmmaking | ||
| Videography | ||
| Screenwriting I | ||
| Editing Film and Video | ||
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 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
Tommy Butler, Assistant Professor
thomasclarkbutler@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 Producing
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 Producing by recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 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.
- 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 66 FMA credit hours toward the 120 credit hours required for the degree.
FMA Foundation Courses
Students who are interested in applying for the Producing concentration would ideally complete the following courses by the end of their sophomore year. Note: It is recommended that Producing students complete Screenwriting I as their 2000-level writing intensive course.
| 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 2071 | Creative Industry Head Start | 3 |
| FMA 2771 | Producing | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Filmmaking | ||
| Videography | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Editing Film and Video | ||
| Screenwriting I (recommended) 1 | ||
| FMA 3771 | Exhibition and Distribution of Independent Media (required) | 3 |
| FMA 3772 | Fundraising for Independent Media (required) | 3 |
| 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 | ||
| History of Documentary Film | ||
| FMA 2000+ Free Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| FMA 3000+ Writing Intensive Elective (WI) | 4 | |
| FMA 3085 | Internship | 4 |
| FMA 4251 | Producing Master Class I (required in fall semester of senior year) | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Producing Master Class II (optional in spring semester of senior year) | ||
Attend LA Study Away | ||
Independent Study (to continue BFA/BA producing) | ||
Any other 4-credit FMA 3000+ level course | ||
| Total FMA Credit Hours: | 57-59 | |
- 1
If FMA 2396 is not taken, then the free elective must be a Writing Intensive course.
Suggested Academic Plan
Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.
Transfer students and juniors may be eligible to add this concentration - please check with an FMA advisor.
Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts with Concentration in Producing
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 2071 | Creative Industry Head Start | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Filmmaking | ||
| Videography | ||
| 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 | ||
| History of Documentary Film | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13-14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Screenwriting I [WI] 1 | ||
| Editing Film and Video 1 | ||
| FMA 2771 | Producing 2 | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FMA 3771 | Exhibition and Distribution of Independent Media 3,4 | 3 |
| FMA 2000+ Free Elective 5 | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 7 | |
| Credit Hours | 16-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| FMA 3772 | Fundraising for Independent Media 3,4 | 3 |
| FMA 3085 | Internship | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FMA 4251 | Producing Master Class I | 4 |
| FMA 3000+ Advanced Writing Intensive Course [WI] | 4 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Producing Master Class II | ||
Attend LA Study Away | ||
Independent Study (to continue BFA/BA producing) | ||
Any other 4-credit FMA 3000+ level course | ||
| Electives | 12 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-122 | |
- 1
FMA 2396 Screenwriting I counts as a Writing Intensive course. FMA 2551 Editing Film and Video does not.
- 2
FMA 2771 may be taken fall or spring semester.
- 3
FMA 3771 Exhibition and Distribution of Independent Media and FMA 3772 Fundraising for Independent Media are both required, but may be taken in either fall or spring semester.
- 4
For transfer students or juniors, FMA 2771 Producing may be taken in conjunction with FMA 3771 or FMA 3772.
- 5
Students who have already completed their 2000-level Writing Intensive requirement by taking FMA 2396 may take any 2000+ FMA course as an elective. Students who have not completed their 2000-level Writing Intensive requirement must take a 2000-level Writing Intensive course.