Find your perfect college degree
As the US movie industry has generated a $95.45 billion revenue to date, it’s safe to say that landing a job in this field is sustainable and stable. Earning a degree in Film will surely help you earn a spot in this industry.
An online bachelor’s in film degree can teach you everything that goes into making a digital film, from start to finish. Many hands-on and experiential learning are integrated into this online degree. Television shows, news broadcasts, and mobile apps can also be studied regarding technology and processes.
The collaborative nature of online film programs and online learning platforms facilitates student interaction and discussion. The key is to select the best online bachelor’s degree in film studies to kickstart your dream career.
Quick audio summary:
The Lowdown
Film degree programs can hone your mastery in creating and editing movies, shows, and videos. And they also help you improve your soft skill sets, such as writing, time management, and analytical skills.
Upon completing their online degrees, graduates may choose to work for newspapers or magazines as writers, as filmmaking assistant directors, or in producing projects in cinematography and theatrical plays.
Methodology
Deciding to study for an online Film degree is easy. However, choosing the right online Film degree program is challenging.
We make the selection easy for you! Each of the five best recommended Online Bachelor’s in Art and Design – Film concentration on our list stands out because of these features:
- Delivered 100% online or through a hybrid learning format,
- Covers core courses and general education courses integral to Film and Media Studies, including the latest trends and tools in filmmaking,
- Allows online students to gain real-life experience through internships and helps them build a portfolio for entry into the film industry after graduation,
- Prepares students for master’s degree studies to reinforce their learning and develop their competence further,
- Exposes students to studying films and cinematography, which ranges from the past until modern times.
- Enables students to communicate with professors through an efficient learning platform,
- Taught by instructors who have extensive industry experience and track records in their respective fields,
- Allows transfer credits and offers tuition discounts and financial aid to qualified online students,
- Officially accredited by academic institutions.
Find more information on our Methodology page.
Best Online Bachelor’s in Film Degree Programs
The Los Angeles Film School
Online Bachelor of Science in Digital Filmmaking
The LA Film School is one of the top for-profit institutions dedicated to advancing education in the entertainment industry. At the LA Film School, students can access state-of-the-art facilities that mirror professional studios. One of its growing programs is the online bachelor’s degree in digital filmmaking.
This 120-credit-hour program can be completed online within 36 months. The Digital Filmmaking degree program teaches students how to make videos and films using the latest digital tools. They learn to create content for TV, the internet, mobile apps, and indie films.
Featured classes include:
- Cinematography
- Visual Effects
- Digital Production Design
What Makes this Program Unique:
The program is entirely online, using a special website for learning. Students watch videos, do projects, take tests, and talk with teachers and classmates. This setup allows for interactive learning and teamwork, making it easier to study and collaborate.
Did You Know?
Did you know that Phillip Bladh, who won an Oscar for sound mixing, started his career at The Los Angeles Film School? Many of its alumni have also worked on Oscar-winning movies, GRAMMY-nominated albums, and records that have been certified by the RIAA as multi-platinum.
Grand Canyon University
Online Bachelor of Science in Digital Film – Video Production (hybrid)
The BS in Digital Film at Grand Canyon University is a 120-credit hybrid program perfect for those passionate about the arts and entertainment industry. Aside from developing professional communication skills, you also develop leadership qualities, critical reasoning skills, and ethical judgment skills.
Some of the courses you can expect to encounter in this online program are:
- Digital video production
- Advanced cinematography
- Audio production and visual effects
- The business side of cinema
With a film degree, you can gain skills and connections that you wouldn’t otherwise have access to through other degrees or on your own. In addition to providing valuable experience, the curriculum takes advantage of GCU’s expertise in all areas of filmmaking.
What Makes this Program Unique:
At GCU, keeping education affordable is a top priority. Before you enroll, you can find out exactly how much the program will cost based on your situation. This helps you plan your finances wisely and avoid unexpected study expenses.
After reviewing your unofficial transcript, I noticed that the school provides a cost estimate for the film degree program.
Did You Know?
There are many career advancement opportunities for candidates with an arts and entertainment background. Your knowledge will be applied to real-world situations through advanced projects. You will complete a professional-level, short digital film as part of your film or video production degree on-campus or online.
The University of Arizona
Online Bachelor of Arts in Film & Television
With a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television taken online at the University of Arizona, you will be prepared for creative, academic, and business careers. A major objective of the program is to foster informed media consumers and creators by integrating historical and critical analysis with industry studies.
Some of the courses integrated into this online bachelor’s film degree are:
- Film and TV history
- Intro to film production
- Film and TV aesthetics
- Intro to film and TV industries
What Makes this Program Unique:
This program culminates in a practicum where you will apply what you have learned to develop a project that is aligned with your career interests. Talented and experienced faculty will support your development into an outstanding artist, ready to conquer the movie industry.
Did You Know?
- With the University of Arizona, you can expect the same professors, resources, and degrees but in a completely online format.
- There are no differences in rates for in-state and out-of-state students of the Arizona Online program.
Maharishi International University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Cinematic Arts and New Media
Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa, offers a BA in Cinematic Arts and New Media. Creating your degree can be as easy as choosing classes and projects when enrolling in this online program. This online program will help you get in touch with your cinematic talents and skills.
This BA degree program offers flexible and accelerated online classes, with each course lasting four and eight weeks. These online classes are project-based and focused on building your portfolio.
MIU also allows film degree online students to spend one or more semesters on campus, utilizing our specialized equipment and facilities.
It is also possible for on-campus students to study remotely and become online students for a semester or more. You have the liberty to change or shift formats as you wish.
What Makes this Program Unique:
This online program lets you start your career with internships and freelance projects. In addition to having impressive portfolios, graduates will know how to thrive in the media industry.
One of the most effective teaching approaches in this art university and film school online is the Transcendental Meditation technique. This method improves creativity and reduces stress, which helps you focus on your cinematic classes.
Did You Know?
- Each class is a creative and safe environment that makes you feel like a family member. Throughout the program, students are part of a creative community dedicated to inner growth and professional endeavors involving motion pictures.
- They also pride themselves on our professors’ ability to keep up with industry trends. Students develop lasting bonds with their classmates through highly collaborative projects in the film and television industry.
Arizona State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Film and Media Studies
Arizona State University delivers the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Film and Media Studies program, specializing in critically analyzing films, television shows, video games, and modern media copies. In this online film degree, you’ll learn about the cultural and economic influences on film and media.
This program prepares students to enter the film industry for the first time or strengthen their technical filmmaking skills by learning interpretive and investigative skills.
Some of the core courses that online students take are the following:
- Screenwriting fundamentals
- Television studies
- Film and media history
- Race and Gender in US Media
- Emerging digital media
What Makes this Program Unique:
The ASU Film and Media Studies undergraduate program allows students to customize their educational experience. Graduates qualify for various filmmaking roles, including as a communication specialist, film editor, public relations specialist, talent agent, and TV program director.
Did You Know?
- There are prestigious students and faculty members in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Some are Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel laureates, Fulbright American scholars, and Guggenheim and McArthur Fellows.
- Even if you don’t get admitted into ASU initially, you can still gain admission through Earned Admission.
Courses in an Online Bachelor’s in Film Degree
Expect to study the following courses when you enroll in an online bachelor’s degree in film:
Storytelling
This course will require you to use your creativity in crafting dramas, scripts, and whatever form of stories. A story or narrative that evokes powerful emotions and insights is a story.
In other words, a story vividly describes ideas, beliefs, personal experiences, and life lessons. You can learn all the techniques through this course.
Screenwriting
During this course, you’ll learn how to write stories that can be adapted for film and television. In this course, students gain a deeper understanding of screenwriting. Character development, dialogue, scene writing, script writing, and storytelling techniques will be taught.
Digital Literacy
Learn how the Internet has affected entertainment and media distribution and how forms of entertainment and media are available online. Students will gain practical word processing experience through hands-on exercises in this course.
Filmmaking
From story ideas to final editing and everything in between, this area of study focuses on the art of filmmaking.
An introductory course can give students a basic understanding of film styles, genres, and production principles. It is a basic foundational course for everyone who wants to enter the field of film and media.
Directing
In filmmaking, you will study directing others and coordinating a team’s effort. By taking directing courses, students can develop their professional portfolios, form relationships with film industry insiders, and potentially break into the industry.
In addition to working as assistant directors, students can work in other roles on film crews.
Career Opportunities with an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Film
Earning an online bachelor’s degree in film offers many career options in the entertainment industry. Here are some jobs you can pursue after graduating:
Film director
The film director oversees the creative aspects of a film. They work with the cast and crew to bring the screenplay to life, making decisions about artistic and technical elements to achieve the desired vision for the film.
Media researcher
A media researcher gathers and analyzes information relevant to media projects, including films. They may research historical events, cultural contexts, audience preferences, and other data to provide insights that inform the production process.
Film crew
The film crew consists of all the individuals who work together during a film’s production. It includes various roles such as camera operators, sound technicians, grips, gaffers, production assistants, and more, each contributing to different aspects of the filmmaking process.
Production planner
A production planner helps arrange everything needed to make a movie. They schedule tasks, manage costs, get permissions, and ensure the filming happens smoothly as the director and producer planned.
Film editor
Film editors assemble raw footage into a coherent and engaging final product. They work closely with the director to refine the narrative structure, pacing, and overall tone of the film by arranging scenes, sound effects, and visual elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can graduates do upon completing their Bachelor’s in Film or Film concentration program?
Film majors have a knack for writing or producing stories, but they can also take on other similar career pathways. Between 2023 and 2033, the country’s Bureau of Labor Statistics foresees an 8% increase in the employment of producers and directors.
In addition, 3% growth is forecasted for film and video editors and camera operators.
How long does it take to get a Bachelor’s degree in Film?
Those who enroll in a bachelor’s degree online program full-time typically graduate after four years, whereas those who enroll part-time in the online film school may take longer, depending on the courses enrolled per semester.
How much do Film majors earn?
You can get a high-paying job in film production by finding your strengths, whether directing, filmmaking, screenwriting, or producing shows. The salary potential for professionals with bachelor’s degrees in film varies depending on the career they pursue and the state they live in.
According to data, a Film Production graduate with a bachelor’s degree would earn between $54,000 – $84,000 annually.
Summary Points
- A film graduate’s career options include film and video editing, marketing management, video production, and creative direction. In film settings, entry-level professionals may work in many roles, too.
- Students are expected to take courses in film technologies, filmmaking, directing, film theory and criticism, and screenwriting, which will prepare them for successful careers in the film industry after graduation.
- Bachelor’s degrees in film equip students with the fundamentals and basic knowledge they need to work effectively in the industry.
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