Find your perfect college degree
Whether you’re a movie buff or your dream job is to be a part of the movie cast, enrolling in an online Bachelor’s in Film degree could be the first step toward achieving your life goals. Aside from learning all the technicalities that go into making films and video clips, Film Studies enable students to develop excellent communication, writing, and research skills, which prepare them for a wide range of careers and careers related to cinema.
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.
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.
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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
Arizona State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Film and Media Studies (online)
Arizona State University offers a Bachelor of Arts 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.
The University of Arizona
Online Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television (online)
With a Bachelor of Arts in Film & Television taken online, you will be prepared for creative, academic, and business careers. And the University of Arizona will be your first partner in attaining that. 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 your learnings to develop a project 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.
Grand Canyon University
Online Bachelor of Science in Digital Film – Video Production (hybrid)
Those passionate about the arts and entertainment industry can benefit from a film production or video production degree from GCU. This BA in Digital Film degree in Video Production can be finished by acquiring 120 credits online or on-campus. Grand Canyon University offers a robust and interactive platform for prospective students.
Aside from developing professional communication skills, you also develop leadership qualities, critical reasoning skills, and ethical judgment skills.
Being part of the Liberal Arts and Sciences discipline, general education courses foster human understanding and creativity. University General Education Competencies are identified as knowledge, insight, and outcomes that can be gained through foundational knowledge courses.
What Makes this Program Unique:
- 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.
- After reviewing your unofficial transcript, the school provides a cost estimate of 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.
Maharishi International University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Cinematic Arts and New Media (online)
Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa, offers a BA in Cinematic Arts and New Media. Online classes last between four and eight weeks. Student portfolios and internships are required for the program.
With this online BA in Cinematic Arts & New Media program, there is more to media production than technical skills. They will help you get in touch with your cinematic talents and skills.
These online classes are project-based and focused on building your portfolio. Creating your degree can be as easy as choosing classes and projects when enrolling in this online program. Maharishi International University also allows Film degree online students to spend one or more semesters on campus to utilize 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 is helpful for you to 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.
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 will 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. This 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.
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 2022 and 2032, the country’s Bureau of Labor Statistics foresees a 7% increase in the employment of producers and directors.
In addition, 7% 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 $101,181 – $111.033 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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