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What Can I Expect from an Online Master’s in Film Program?

You can expect an online master’s degree in film to give you a professional education comparable to what you would get from on-campus classes — but with more flexibility. Individuals already working in the film industry can complete their degree requirements between productions or during breaks on set. Accelerated degree programs in film give students the skills they need to succeed in a short period of time. Before choosing an online master’s in film program, consider different program offerings to find the degree that best suits your needs.

Available concentrations

Your program may include the option to focus on a particular area of film, called a concentration. Concentrations allow you to dive deeply into a focus area that interests you. Here are a few of the concentration options that you may find in your film program:

  • Screenwriting and script writing: Emphasizes analysis and creation of narrative structures for visual media, such as movies and television shows. Graduates with this concentration may be interested in jobs such as scriptwriting or screenwriting for serial television shows, movies, or specialty productions.
  • Film production: Focuses on the business and practical aspects of developing creative film and television projects, including project management, film financing, distribution, and marketing courses. This concentration equips graduates with the skills to become movie or television show producers.
  • Film studies: Trains students to think critically about films and filmmakers while becoming well-versed in film terminology and the filmmaking process. Graduates with this skill set may become film critics, film studies teachers, or film historians.

Common degree curriculum

Different programs for a master’s degree in film have specific requirements based on the concentration specialty and program goals. Consider your career objectives when choosing a program, and pick a specialization that suits your long-term goals in the film industry.

Some courses you might encounter in a master’s of film online program include:

  • Advanced Film Theory: Delves into genres, the cultural relevance of different film projects and theories such as formalism and realism that feature prominently in the thematic structures of films.
  • Film History: Investigates film production’s artistic trends and technological challenges in different eras.
  • Script Writing: Studies the narrative structure of films and television shows that you need to understand before creating your own scripts.
  • Film Business: Looks at the practical aspects of making movies and television shows, including the business structures of film productions, how films are financed, and distribution channels for completed films.
  • Film Production Workshops: Guides students through the production of a short film project from start to finish, either on their own or with collaborators.

Program accreditation

Master’s programs focused on film can get accreditation from one of six regional bodies that offer accreditation for most degree programs throughout the U.S. Earning your master’s degree from an accredited school ensures that the program has been evaluated for meeting quality standards. Credits from an accredited program are generally transferable, so you can switch schools or move into a different program without losing the credits you’ve already earned.

Program completion timeframe

Most people pursuing a master’s in film degree online take one to two years of full-time study to complete the program, depending on the specialization and courses chosen. Master’s programs in film generally require 30 to 45 credits or about two to three courses per semester. Taking fewer classes per semester can stretch out the length of the program to three or four years of study.

Employment Outlook for Master’s in Film Graduates

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of directors and producers is expected to grow seven percent by 2032, which is faster than the average growth for all jobs.

In general, jobs in the film industry aren’t dependent upon having a master’s degree. Most film industry jobs with degree requirements only ask for a bachelor’s degree. However, the specific knowledge gained during a master’s degree program in film can give you a boost over applicants who don’t have those particular skills.

A film career, bolstered by an online master’s in film degree, can bring in a good salary. Salaries vary widely in the film industry, depending on the specific project and funding mechanism. Many film industry jobs are on a per-project basis rather than being permanent full-time jobs. Even for the same job title, salaries vary widely. An independent producer for a small local production might make only a few thousand dollars for the project, while top Hollywood producers on studio-funded big-budget films earn more than $20 million per project. 

With a master’s in film, you’re more likely to move into the big leagues of film production, where salaries can increase astronomically as your reputation grows. In some cases, unions, such as the Director’s Guild of America, set rates.

Film careers can be highly competitive, and a master’s in film can help you increase your chances of landing a job in the industry. There are many different potential career opportunities, and your specific job prospects depend on the specialization you’ve chosen and your experience level. 

Job Title Job Description Median Yearly Salary Projected Growth Rate

Producers

Producers run the business side of film production. They secure funding, manage the hiring of above-the-line and below-the-line staff for the production, manage the budget, and ensure the production staff has everything needed to make the film.

$85,320 per year

7%

Script Writer

Scriptwriters write the screenplay for a television episode or feature film.

$73,150 per year

4%

Film Archivist

Film archivists process and catalog film collections for a museum, collection, or archive. Film archivists might focus on historical or culturally relevant films and work for institutions, nonprofit organizations, governments, or movie studios.

$61,210 per year

13%

Professional organizations

In the film industry, connections are essential to gain access to job opportunities. The project-based nature of most film work means that personal referrals are often used to find out about upcoming job opportunities. Many jobs in the film industry are limited to union members, and entry-level jobs usually include a chance to apply for union membership. Here are some of the top organizations for individuals with a master’s degree in film:

  • The Society for Cinema and Media Studies: This scholarly organization focuses on teaching and research. An annual conference and peer-reviewed academic journal provide information for students and professionals in film studies.
  • The Directors Guild of America: The DGA is a professional trade organization representing directors and members of a directorial team, including associate directors, production managers, and production associates. The DGA offers training opportunities for members and has labor agreements in place with most major studios in Hollywood.
  • The Producers Guild of America: The PGA is a trade association representing television producers, movie producers, and producers of digital content. The PGA provides members with health insurance and pension benefits and offers seminars and mentoring programs for new producers.
  • The Writers Guild of America: The WGA has two branches, WGA West and WGA East, representing television, film, and new media scriptwriters in Los Angeles and New York. These two labor unions run independently while acting in concert on specific issues, such as labor negotiations and strikes.

Financing Your Online Master’s in Film Degree

Online programs are typically more affordable than programs that require on-campus classes, but the costs may still be out of reach without assistance. The first step in getting financial aid for a master’s in film program is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form gives you access to financial aid sponsored by the U.S. government, including grants and loans. Private scholarships or grants may also be available online to individuals pursuing a film degree. 

Student Finance Resources and Guides

You will likely have questions as you begin building your financial aid package. Learn more about your available options with the resources listed below.

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Interested in a degree?

Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.