San Francisco State University

University of Southern California · Division of Cinema & Media Studies
MA in Cinema & Media Studies
Overview
A campus MA in cinema and media studies covering film, television and new media from historical, theoretical and industry perspectives. Applicants submit a writing sample of up to 20 pages and three recommendation letters.
- Official program name
- MA in Cinema & Media Studies
- Awarded degree
- Master of Arts in Cinema & Media StudiesMaster's · Master of ArtsSource: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- School
- University of Southern California — Division of Cinema & Media Studies
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Delivery
- On campusClasses, workshops and productions meet in person on campus.Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Required attendance
- Regular campus attendanceStudents attend classes on campus throughout the program.Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Study intensity
- Not published
- Duration
- Not verified
- Required credits
- Not verified
- Start
- FallSource: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Film and television
- The program covers both film and television.Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Fields of study
| Field | Classification | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Film Studies | Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in this field. | Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Why this degree is listed
MA in cinema and media studies.
Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026We list verified film degrees only — no certificates, workshops or generic degrees with a few film electives. Eligibility rules
Curriculum, pathways and faculty
Thesis, film or capstone
Culminating requirement: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
Other
- Students may take hands-on production courses.Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Faculty listed by the program
- Nitin Govil — Associate Professor of Cinematic Arts; Director of Graduate Studies, film_studies
- Tara Mcpherson — Professor, film_studies
- Todd Boyd — Professor, film_studies
- Lan Duong — Associate Professor, film_studies
- J.D. Connor — Associate Professor of Cinematic Arts, film_studies
As listed on the program's official page on October 12, 2026. Listing does not mean a faculty member is teaching or supervising new students in a given year.
Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026Production costs and equipment
Equipment and facility access
Equipment access: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
Published production and equipment costs
Equipment, computer and software
- Laptop
- OptionalNo laptop requirement for Cinema & Media Studies.Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
We never estimate a total cost when key expenses are unpublished. Compare production costs
Admissions
Portfolio and submission materials
| Material | Status | Instructions as published |
|---|---|---|
| Academic writing sample | Required | Review or analysis of film, television or new media, critical theory, or a published article; no longer than 20 pages.Length: up to 20 pagesSource: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Other requirements
- Prior degree
- RequiredBachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Personal statement
- RequiredCinematic Arts Personal Statement (PDF).Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Recommendation letters
- Required3 letters — Three letters (at least one academic reference).Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Résumé / CV
- RequiredCV/resume (PDF), including languages of competency.Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Tests
- TOEFL iBT
- Required — minimum 100International applicants only; minimum 20 per section for tests taken before January 21, 2026.Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness. Build an application checklist
Deadlines
- Year not printed
Application deadline
December 1 · for Fall
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Tuition and fees
| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All studentsFrom the school's rate table for this level | $2,700 | per unit · 2026-2027Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| First-year tuition (18 units, fall and spring) | $50,499 | per academic year · 2026-2027Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Mandatory institutional fees
- USC mandatory fees (estimate)
- $1,899 per academic yearMandatorySource: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Funding
Partial funding
- Other
- SCA scholarships based on merit, need or both; generally $1,000 to $25,000.Source: cinema.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Sources and verification
- cinema.usc.edu/admissions/graduate.cfm — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
- cinema.usc.edu/admissions/procedures/mediastudies/graduateprocedures.cfm — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
- cinema.usc.edu/admissions/tuition.cfm — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 12, 2026
- cinema.usc.edu/laptops/index.cfm — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
- cinema.usc.edu/mediastudies/faculty.cfm — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
- cinema.usc.edu/mediastudies/index.cfm — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
- cinema.usc.edu/scholarships/index.cfm — Official funding / aid page, verified October 12, 2026
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