Film, Television & Digital Media Degrees: What Coursework is Included in a Typical Film, Television & Digital Media Program?

What Does Film, Television & Digital Media Mean?

Film, television & digital media may sound like a new field, but it’s not! This multidisciplinary field is the preferred path for those that may be interested in working in multiple areas of film, television, and digital media. Filmmakers create motion pictures, individuals that work in television may do everything from producing to directing, and digital media artists work with multiple forms of media from graphics to the web.

Coursework for Film, Television & Digital Media Programs

A typical Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Art in Film, Television & Digital Media program requires successful completion of a wide variety of courses in each discipline. The list is of courses for this program is quite lengthy, so we can’t list them all here. What we can list are the typical required areas of study, along with a number of courses on the menu. Students can expect to take courses in the areas of Film and Media History, Film and Media Aesthetics; Film, Media, and Society, and Film and Media Practice.

Film and Media courses may include History of American Motion Pictures and American television History. Film and Media Aesthetics courses may include History of Animation, Film Genres, Film Authors, or Film Criticism. Film, Media, and Society courses may include History of Documentary Film, Women and Film, and Film and Social Change. Film and Media Practice courses may include Introduction to Filmmaking, Film Editing, Digital Cinematography, Visual Effects, Film and Television Directing, Screenwriting, Introduction to animation, and Motion Picture Producing.

During students’ senior year, they will complete a senior project such as a portfolio, demo-reel or other creative project. In addition, students may choose to enroll in the school’s internship program. Some schools offer on-campus programs, while others offer the opportunity to intern at a studio or other company off campus. The senior project can be used to demonstrate the student's artistic ability and an internship can help students gain hands-on experience and make contacts in the industry.

What Can I do with a Degree in Film, Television & Digital Media?

Film, television & digital media graduates have numerous career options in a variety of fields. They go on to become animators, writers, producers, directors, editors, cinematographers, journalists, advertising executives, and broadcasters. Some may work for major studios, while others may become independent filmmakers. Others may choose to become instructors or even professors.