Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies (Columbia)

Our program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in film and media studies. Students build media literacy skills, investigate media history from an international perspective, examine the economics and labor structures of globalized media industries, and engage the central methods and concepts of the discipline. Graduates have gone on to work in film and media production worldwide, both independent and industrial. The program also prepares students for future graduate programs or careers in the fields including archiving and library information science, business and education.


This program provides unique opportunities that include production collaboration with Media Arts, engagement with the remarkable film and television archival content of Moving Image Research Collections, and support from faculty to conduct independent research on almost any aspect of media culture. Students can also earn a B.A. with Leadership Distinction by demonstrating extensive, purposeful engagement beyond the classroom. 

Most of our classes require students to experience media (watch films, read comics, play games, etc.) as preparation for class lectures and discussion. Access to these media objects and texts are provided via the course Blackboard site.

International freshman applicants must be high school graduates (students that have the equivalent of a diploma in the United States).

English proficiency is measured through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A score of at least 550 on the paper based exam or 77 on the internet based TOEFL is required. USC also accepts the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the PTE Academic Test. Students must score at least a 6.5 on the IELTS, or at least a 53 on the PTE.