Film and media studies

Expected coursework

• Choose 1 of the following history courses:
  • 20th century U.S. history
  • 20th century world history
• Choose 1 of the following visual studies courses:
  • Art history (may include architecture, artistic, cinematic, photographic, and/or theatrical content)
  • Introduction to visual studies
• Choose 1 of the following critical analysis & writing courses:
  • Aesthetics/philosophy of art
  • Introduction to humanities
  • Introduction to literature
  • Film or media theory
• Choose 1 of the following Media Practice/Production courses:
  • Animation
  • Digital Media Production
  • Photography
  • Sound Design & Audio Production
  • Theater Production
  • TV Production
• Foreign Language (1.5 years of the same language)

Full sequences can take two to four terms to complete (depending on whether your institution is on semesters or quarters), so you'll want to start them early. Use ASSIST to find the specific classes offered at your community college that will satisfy the expected coursework. In addition to the specific coursework above, you will need to fulfill minimum requirements expected of all transfer applicants to UC.

Associate Degree for Transfer

If you're working on an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) in film, television, and electronic media at your community college with the goal of applying to CSU as well as UC, there are differences in the coursework. UC expects 20th century U.S. or world history, one visual studies course, one critical analysis & writing course, one media practice/production course, and 1.5 years of a foreign language.

Applicable majors

The film and media studies pathway applies to the degree programs listed below. (More may be added in the year ahead.)

• Cinema and digital media, A.B. at Davis
• Film and digital media, B.A. at Santa Cruz
• Film and media studies, B.A. at Irvine
• Film and media studies, B.A. at Santa Barbara
• Film and television, B.A. at Los Angeles
• Film studies, B.A. at Berkeley
• Media and cultural studies, B.A. at Riverside
• Media, B.A. at San Diego

Campus GPA requirements

Admission to different UC campuses and majors varies in competitiveness depending on how many students apply and how many slots are available. As a result, the minimum GPA and grade requirements for particular courses may vary from campus to campus. Make sure to look on the campus admissions websites to find minimum expected grade point averages for the major you are interested in.