How to Apply to USC SCA’s Cinema & Media Studies BA for 2025 Entry
USC SCA’s Cinema & Media Studies BA degree program gives students the opportunity to study classic and contemporary film through a cultural, historical, narrative, and industrial lens. Four years of thought-provoking courses offered through USC Dornslife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the School of Cinematic arts can help open new pathways for students interested in creative and academic film careers.
Students with a strong academic background, a wide range of liberal arts and humanities courses, and excellent writing skills are encouraged to apply. The Honors track is available at the end of junior year to students with a GPA of 3.5 or better.
Take a look at the year-over-year program breakdown:
Cinema & Media Studies students take general education courses and film courses, starting with CTCS 190: Introduction to Cinema. CTCS 190 marries lectures with film screenings and helps prepare students to take advanced courses within the major and pursue a film minor.
Undergraduates are required to take CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication, a core course, typically in the spring of their Sophomore or Junior year. The course offers a comprehensive introduction to the relationship of visuals, sound, and editing in cinematic communication through directing and producing workshops. Students must budget $1,000 for lab fees and miscellaneous expenses.
Read a comprehensive overview of the degree program.
Submit the following materials taken directly from USC SCA's website:
Click here to fill out the undergraduate-specific program application.
Students with a strong academic background, a wide range of liberal arts and humanities courses, and excellent writing skills are encouraged to apply. The Honors track is available at the end of junior year to students with a GPA of 3.5 or better.
Take a look at the year-over-year program breakdown:
Years 1 and 2
Cinema & Media Studies students take general education courses and film courses, starting with CTCS 190: Introduction to Cinema. CTCS 190 marries lectures with film screenings and helps prepare students to take advanced courses within the major and pursue a film minor.
Years 3 and 4
Undergraduates are required to take CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication, a core course, typically in the spring of their Sophomore or Junior year. The course offers a comprehensive introduction to the relationship of visuals, sound, and editing in cinematic communication through directing and producing workshops. Students must budget $1,000 for lab fees and miscellaneous expenses.
Read a comprehensive overview of the degree program.
How to apply
Submit the following materials taken directly from USC SCA's website:
- Fulfill the basic undergraduate application requirements: Fill out the Common Application and upload your official test scores.
- Be sure to select the Cinema and Media Studies program in the “Academics” section of the application.
- Provide 3 letters of recommendation (at least one academic reference): Upload via the SlideRoom references system. Any letters submitted via the Common Application may be used towards the three letters of recommendation required. You are responsible for obtaining the letters and making sure they are received.
- Complete the SlideRoom application:It's titled “Cinema and Media Studies B.A. Program: First- Year/Freshmen Applicants" in the Common Application and requires:
- Cinematic Arts Personal Statement (1000 words or less; PDF format only): The Cinematic Arts Personal Statement will be read by the admissions committee as a measure of your critical skills, creativity, self-awareness, and vision. Narrate a story of who you are as a unique individual and the ways in which your distinct experiences, characteristics, background, values, and/or views of the world have shaped who you are. USC SCA is especially interested in having you explore what your current and future aspirations may be in investigating more deeply the cultural, political, and historical aspects of cinema and media.
- Enthusiasm for watching films, descriptions of your favorite films, and the involvement in making films is common in most candidates. As a result, USC SCA stresses that you focus on your individuality. There is no correct answer.
- Writing sample (Typical page length is 4-6 pages; PDF format only): The Writing Sample should be an analysis of some aspect of film, television, new media, or even a literary work. USC SCA is especially interested in writing that illustrates your capacity for critical thinking and scholarly analysis. It is permissible to submit work completed in your high school courses.
- Do not submit reviews of films or media work.
- Admissions prefers that the Writing Sample be in essay form, marked by both analysis and argumentation. .
- Cinematic Arts Personal Statement (1000 words or less; PDF format only): The Cinematic Arts Personal Statement will be read by the admissions committee as a measure of your critical skills, creativity, self-awareness, and vision. Narrate a story of who you are as a unique individual and the ways in which your distinct experiences, characteristics, background, values, and/or views of the world have shaped who you are. USC SCA is especially interested in having you explore what your current and future aspirations may be in investigating more deeply the cultural, political, and historical aspects of cinema and media.
Ready to apply?
Click here to fill out the undergraduate-specific program application.
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