Cinema & Media Studies MA

Whether aiming for a career in academia or the bustling world of entertainment, the Cinema and Media Studies Program at UCLA equips students with historical insights, theoretical frameworks, and practical skills to navigate an ever-evolving media landscape.

The CMS MA Degree Tracks – At a Glance

Professional Track: Designed for individuals looking to solidify their place in the entertainment sphere. Recognizing the interconnected nature of today’s media, this track gives students a front-row seat to the digital transformation of film and television. Practical experiences, in the form of internships and seminars, are strongly advocated.

Academic Track: Caters to scholars intending to dive deeper into academic pursuits, eyeing university-level teaching and research careers. With a firm foundation in film and media history, theory, and analysis, it primes students for doctoral study. The course structure allows room for exploring practical facets of the industry, from film production to screenwriting.

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World-Class Faculty

Sean Metzger

Professor of Theater (Joint Appointment with FTVDM)

Jasmine Nadua Trice

Equity Advisor; Associate Professor

Steve Anderson

Professor Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, School of the Arts and Architecture

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Requirements

CMS MA Professional Degree Track is the recommended track for students planning to pursue careers in film and media festival programming, archival, and curational objectives in the entertainment arts industry. The degree can be completed in three quarters (one academic year) but can be extended to seven quarters (two academic years). This degree encourages pursuit of a professional internship, which students should begin to seek in their first quarter of residency. Completing the CMS M.A. Professional Degree Track requires successful completion of 36 units and at least 9 courses.

The CMS MA Academic Degree Track is the recommended track for students planning to pursue careers in academic research, publishing, and who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Cinema and Media Studies or related fields of critical study. The degree can be completed in three quarters (1 academic year), but the option is available to extend study to seven quarters (2 academic years). Completing the CMS M.A. Academic Degree Track requires successful completion of 36 units and at least 9 courses.

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CMS MA Professional Track

Completing the CMS MA Professional Degree Track requires successful completion of 36 units and at least 9 courses, which consist of the following:

Required – 4 Core Courses: These courses are required during the 1st year in the CMS Media Professions MA Degree Track.

FTV 210 Common Course (Fall Quarter)
FTV 215A: Theory and Method (Fall Quarter)
FTV 211B Historiography: Media, History, and the Archive (Winter Quarter)
FTV 213 Capstone Seminar (Spring Quarter)

Required – 5 Elective Graduate Seminar Courses: A maximum of 2 elective courses may be taken outside of CMS.

Recommended – Internship: Students are encouraged to seek internships as part of their professional development. (This course is recommended but not required).

FTV 498 Professional Internship

Recommended – TA Training: Students are encouraged to enroll in the TA Training course. Students awarded a Teaching Assistant position or who wish to apply must have completed or be enrolled in 495A to accept a TA position (offered one time/year in fall).

FTV 495A, Section 1 TA Training (Fall Quarter)

Recommended – CMS Colloquium: Students are encouraged to enroll in or attend the CMS Colloquium during all quarters to participate in screenings, research presentations and discussions. May be repeated for credit. Even if students are not enrolled, they are encouraged to attend the lectures as a practice of engaging in the intellectual community of the program.

FTV 212 CMS Colloquium (Fall, Winter when offered)

CMS MA Academic Track

Completing the CMS MA Academic Degree Track requires successful completion of 36 units and at least 9 courses, which consist of the following: