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PhD Film Degrees in California

Film degree programs at schools located in California. Online programs listed here are run by institutions based in California; that does not by itself mean residents of every state may enroll.

5 programs

Sort:A–ZDeadlineAnnual tuitionStipendRecently verified

Listed alphabetically by school. This directory is not a ranking — editorial selections are published separately under Top Schools. What we list

University of California-Berkeley logo

University of California-Berkeley

PhD in Film & Media

PhDDoctor of Philosophy in Film & Media
Location: Berkeley, CA
Format: On campusClasses, workshops and productions meet in person on campus. · Full-time
Fields: Film Studies (dedicated degree)
Duration: Five years (10 semesters) funded period
Funding: Fully funded (conditions apply)
Tuition: $6,861 per semester · All students — Graduate: Academic tuition (residents and nonresidents) · 2026-2027
Deadline: December 1, 2026 · Fall 2027
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University of California-Los Angeles logo

University of California-Los Angeles

Cinema & Media Studies (PhD)

PhDDoctor of Philosophy in Film and Television — Cinema & Media Studies
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Format: On campusClasses, workshops and productions meet in person on campus. · Full-time
Fields: Film Studies (dedicated degree)
Duration: Duration not verified
Funding: Funding not verified
Tuition: $15,066 per academic year · In-state — UC Systemwide Tuition (graduate students) · 2026-2027
Deadline: December 1, 2026 · Fall 2027
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University of California-Santa Barbara logo

University of California-Santa Barbara

PhD in Film and Media Studies

PhDDoctor of Philosophy in Film and Media Studies
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Format: On campusClasses, workshops and productions meet in person on campus. · Full-time
Fields: Film Studies (dedicated degree)
Duration: Five to six years on the M.A./Ph.D. track (M.A. in two years, Ph.D. about three years after the M.A.)
Funding: Fully funded (conditions apply)
Tuition: $13,722 per academic year · In-state — Resident graduate tuition · 2026-2027
Deadline: December 1, 2026
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University of California-Santa Cruz logo

University of California-Santa Cruz

PhD in Film and Digital Media

PhDDoctor of Philosophy in Film and Digital Media
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Format: On campusClasses, workshops and productions meet in person on campus.
Fields: Film Studies (dedicated degree)
Duration: Normative time six years
Funding: Funding not verified
Tuition: $24,118.58 per academic year · In-state — Graduate academic student fees, total California resident (includes waivable UC SHIP) · 2026-2027
Deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
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University of Southern California logo

University of Southern California

PhD in Cinema & Media Studies

PhDDoctor of Philosophy in Cinema & Media Studies
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Format: On campusClasses, workshops and productions meet in person on campus.
Fields: Film Studies (dedicated degree)
Duration: Duration not verified
Funding: Funding not verified
Tuition: Tuition not published
Deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
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