Master of Arts in Cinema Studies

Our M.A. program prizes the rich diversity of cinematic expression whether critical examination of mainstream media production or independent or foreign filmmaking, experimental works or new media interventions including video installation the faculty strives to broaden our students experience. Much of this takes place in the context of coursework where faculty members bring their own diverse research, theoretical and cinematic interests to bear, but also in extracurricular encounters visiting filmmakers or scholars, community events (e.g., film festivals), largely profiting from the virtue of our city, San Francisco.
The M.A. in Cinema Studies at SF State offers students the opportunity to pursue graduate research in cinema and media scholarship. We believe that cinema refers to all moving image media, from early films to emerging digital media forms.

The M.A. program emphasizes not only the study of cinema history, theory and criticism, but of all cinematic media and the theories related to them. The curriculum allows students considerable freedom to choose among a wide variety of course offerings, building toward producing a thesis that emphasizes focused research on a specific topic related to their interests.

Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authority.

Have a 3.0 GPA in their earned undergraduate degree or in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units completed, or have earned a post-baccalaureate degree.

Minimum TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5 or PTE 55; some majors require higher scores

The priority deadline for M.A. applications is March 1 followed by a second deadline on April 15, with applications accepted on a space-available basis until June 1.