Film and Media Studies

Film and Media Studies provides students with a strong liberal arts background by combining theory and practice, giving our majors the tools necessary to navigate the complex film, broadcast, and digital media landscape. Led by award-winning faculty who are leaders in areas like TV and broadcast media, gaming, and new media, students gain skills in theoretical, visual, historical, and cultural analysis and broad knowledge of the history of moving image studies, broadcast policy, popular culture, and social media. Students are trained to actively read and explore audio-visual media through both theoretical and practical approaches. They strengthen their writing through active engagement with all aspects of cinematic, broadcast, and digital culture.

Requirements

Requirements for the B.A. in Film and Media Studies

All students must meet the University Requirements.

All students must meet the School Requirements.

12 courses (48 units) are required for the major.

Departmental Requirements for the Major

1. Only three of the courses marked may be applied toward departmental requirements for the major.
2. Course may not fulfill requirement for category E.
3. Course may not fulfill requirement for category D.

Residence Requirement for the Major: At least five upper-division courses required for the major must be completed successfully at UCI.

Career Opportunities

Film and Media Studies at UC Irvine prepares students for graduate study and professional life in the Film and Media Studies areas. Our students have been admitted to Ph.D. and M.F.A. programs at UCLA, USC, New York University, and the University of Texas at Austin. Film and Media studies majors have gone on to law school and to get Ph.D.s in a variety of fields. Alumni also make careers in all aspects of the entertainment industry, finding work in the film, television, and game industries in Southern California and beyond. Film and Media Studies students find careers in directing, cinematography, editing, journalism, advertising, marketing, and distribution. Our students’ diverse backgrounds have enabled them to work in bilingual or global media outlets. The Department encourages all qualified students to do professional internships. Visit the internship page on our website for more information about the diverse array of internships that you can do for credit.

The UCI Division of Career Pathways provides services to students and alumni including career counseling, information about job opportunities, a career library, and workshops on résumé preparation, job search, and interview techniques. See the UCI Division of Career Pathways website for additional information.