2022-2023
Cinema, Bachelor of Arts
VCU
Community college:
Uniform Certificate of General Studies (Virginia Community College System)
Associate degree
Program description
The Bachelor of Arts in Cinema is designed for students who desire a hybrid program with an emphasis in film combined with a strong liberal arts component. All candidates for the Cinema B.A. must declare an additional major or two minors.
The program focuses on the art and craft of narrative filmmaking with an emphasis on the practices of U.S. independent filmmakers. The Cinema B.A. offers an on-set experience that simulates the industry standard by placing the focus on Cinema as a collaborative art form. The program offers opportunities for international study options. Internships with professional film organizations in the U.S. are available on a competitive basis.
Full-time students enrolled in this program may graduate with the B.A. after three years of study by completing required course work in the summer semester following the second and third year.
Career opportunities
A BA in Cinema affords students a well rounded understanding of technical skill, complex group dynamics and narrative filmmaking. This serves as their gateway to both Graduate candidacy or a wide range of entry level - mid level positions in the film and media industry. Cinema graduates have a unique understanding of the structure and protocols of major motion picture film sets. This praxis lends itself to a variety of professional environments in multiple fields. Additionally, the completion of the second major/double minor reinforces the ability to multitask and make connections across diverse professions.
Bachelor-level job titles
- Camera Assistants
- Directors - Stage, Motion Pictures, Television, and Radio
- Electrics/Lighting Technician
- Film and Video Editors
- Grips
- Line Producer
- Production Assistant/Technician
- Screenwriters
- Set PA
- Talent Directors
- UPM/Unit Production Manager
Graduate and professional level job titles
- Art Director
- Film Archivist
- Journalist
- Producer
Contact information
Telephone: (804) 827-1349
Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu
VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist
Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638
Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.
Guaranteed transfer admission requirements
No guaranteed admission. Apply for admission during first year at community college. Review deadlines and cinema essay and visual storytelling exercise requirements for transfer applicants here.
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- Quantitative Foundations requirement only
Science required
- Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
- No
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.5
VCU Major Maps
Transfer major map
2022-2023
Cinema, Bachelor of Arts
Virginia Community College System (Uniform Certificate of General Studies)
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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| Explore | Year 1 |
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| Experience | Year 2 |
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Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your community college advisor to map out your course plan.
- Enroll in the SDV student success course.
- Complete your math and english requirements.
- Review admission requirements for the VCU cinema program.
- Explore GRASP financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
- Submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Explore the School of the Arts website.
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations at your community college.
- Volunteer for community service projects.
- Register to vote.
- Research housing options for next year.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Identify a mentor in a diversity organization.
- Attend diversity-focused events on your community college campus and in your community (e.g., international festival).
- Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Create LinkedIn profile.
- Complete career assessments through the Virginia Education Wizard.
- Browse information about occupations and job titles associated with cinema.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Find out about VCU REAL and learn about VCU's REAL graduation requirement.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Create a weekly and monthly budget.
- Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
- Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
- Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Recommended courses
2022-2023
Cinema, Bachelor of Arts
Virginia Community College System (Uniform Certificate of General Studies)
| Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students who earn the Uniform Certificate of General Studies before enrolling at VCU will be eligible for a waiver of VCU's general education requirements. | ||||
| SDV 100 | College Success Skills | UNIV 101 | 1 | Elective |
| ENG 111 | College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. | UNIV 111-112 | 3 | General education |
| ENG 112 | College Composition II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
| MTH 154 | Quantitative Reasoning (or any other approved MTH course) | MATH 131 | 3 | General education |
| Humanities/Fine Arts elective | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education | |
| Physical/Natural Science elective with lab | VCU equivalent | 4 | General education | |
| Social/Behavioral Science elective | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education | |
| History elective | HIST | 3 | General education | |
| Humanities/Fine Arts elective | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education | |
| Approved Certificate electives | VCU equivalents | 6 | General education | |
| Community college credits transferred to VCU | 32 | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your GPA Doesn't Transfer With You Although you worked hard to earn your grades at your current institution, they will only be considered by VCU for an admission decision. Once you enroll at VCU, your GPA will reset to 0.0, and your new GPA will be determined by your level of success in your classes at VCU. | |||
| Majors in the Cinema Program may choose to complete a second major or minor in any other department or program that supports their educational and artistic goals. Alternatively, students may create a customized plan of study for a second major by requesting admission to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program. | |||
| CINE 100 | Visual Storytelling I | 2 | Major |
| CINE 101 | Visual Storytelling II | 2 | Major |
| CINE 110 | Writing for Cinema I | 3 | Major |
| CINE 111 | Writing for Cinema II | 3 | Major |
| CINE 200 | Cinema Form and Concept I | 2 | Major |
| CINE 201 | Cinema Form and Concept II | 2 | Major |
| CINE 210 | Synergetic Film Production | 3 | Major |
| CINE 300 | Cinema Form and Concept III | 2 | Major |
| CINE 301 | Cinema Form and Concept IV | 2 | Major |
| CINE 390 | Digital Cinema Production Intensive I | 12 | Major |
| CINE 490 | Digital Cinema Production Intensive II | 15 | Major |
| ARTH 270 | History of the Motion Picture I | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
| ARTH 271 | History of the Motion Picture II | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
| Select any courses toward a minor, second major or electives. Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. | 34 | Elective | |
| Credits completed at VCU | 88 | ||
| Minimum credits required for bachelor's degree | 120 | ||