Master's Degree in Film/Video and Photographic Arts
This master's degree teaches advanced skills in film, video, and photographic arts, preparing students for creative and technical roles in the media and entertainment industries.
About
The Master's Degree in Film/Video and Photographic Arts is a graduate program in the United States designed for students who want to deepen their knowledge and skills in visual storytelling and media production. This degree is ideal for those passionate about creating films, videos, or photographic works, and who aim to work in creative or technical roles within the arts and entertainment sectors. The program typically lasts one to two years and offers an opportunity to develop both artistic vision and technical expertise.
- Graduate level program focusing on creative and technical aspects of film, video, and photography.
- Designed for students with a bachelor's degree interested in media production and visual arts.
- Prepares students for careers in filmmaking, video production, photography, and related creative industries.
- Helps develop skills in storytelling, technical equipment use, and project management.
- Encourages exploration of personal artistic style and professional portfolio development.
What you study
The curriculum of this master's degree combines theoretical courses with practical workshops to build advanced skills in film, video, and photographic arts. Students progress from foundational concepts to complex projects, often working on individual and group productions. The program emphasizes hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and software.
- Courses cover film theory, cinematography, video editing, and photographic techniques.
- Workshops and labs provide practical training on cameras, lighting, sound, and post-production tools.
- Students create short films, documentaries, photo essays, and multimedia projects.
- Advanced seminars explore storytelling, visual aesthetics, and media history.
- Project-based learning is central, with opportunities for collaboration and critique.
- Final thesis or portfolio showcases the student's creative and technical abilities.
How to get in
Admission to this master's program in the US requires a bachelor's degree, usually in a related field such as film, media, or arts. Applicants must submit a portfolio demonstrating their creative work, along with academic transcripts and letters of recommendation. The selection process often includes an interview or statement of purpose to assess motivation and fit.
- Bachelor's degree is required, preferably in film, media, or arts.
- Portfolio of creative work is essential for evaluating skills and artistic vision.
- Application includes transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
- Some programs require an interview or additional tests.
- Applicants should show motivation and potential for advanced creative work.
Day to day
The typical year in this master's program combines classes, workshops, and project work. Students spend time learning technical skills in labs and working on creative productions individually or in teams. Internships or practical experiences may be part of the curriculum, providing exposure to professional environments.
- Weekly schedule includes lectures, practical labs, and group critiques.
- Students work on several projects, from short films to photographic series.
- Internships or fieldwork can offer real-world experience in studios or media companies.
- Time management is important to balance technical practice and creative development.
- Collaborative projects help build teamwork and communication skills.
Careers this degree leads to
Graduates with this master's degree can pursue various careers in the creative industries, especially in film, video, and photography. Employment is often found in production companies, media outlets, advertising agencies, or as independent artists. The job market can be competitive, but the degree helps build a strong portfolio and network.
- Possible careers include filmmaker, cinematographer, video editor, and photographer.
- Work sectors include film production, television, advertising, and digital media.
- Graduates may work freelance or join creative teams in companies.
- Building a portfolio and professional contacts is key for job opportunities.
- Employment prospects depend on skills, creativity, and networking.
Continuing your studies
After completing this master's degree, some students choose to continue their studies with doctoral research in film or media studies, or pursue specialized certifications in areas like animation or digital media. Others may shift to related fields such as arts management or education.
- Doctoral programs in film, media, or communication studies are possible.
- Specialized diplomas in animation, digital effects, or multimedia production can be pursued.
- Some graduates consider careers in teaching or arts administration.
Where to study this degree (200)
Liste des 200 établissements
- Norwich UniversityNorthfield
- Baton Rouge Community CollegeBaton Rouge
- John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityEscondido
- California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge
- North Central State CollegeMansfield
- Centenary College of New JerseyHackettstown
- Bucks County Community CollegeNewtown
- Eastern New Mexico UniversityPortales
- Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeBooneville
- Rowan UniversityGlassboro
- Holyoke Community CollegeHolyoke
- Red Rocks Community CollegeLakewood
- Wichita State UniversityWichita
- Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux City
- Bethany College - KansasLindsborg
- University of CincinnatiCincinnati
- University of the Incarnate WordSan Antonio
- Marshall UniversityHuntington
- American InterContinental UniversityChandler
- Gwinnett Technical CollegeLawrenceville
- College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte
- San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego
- Middlesex County CollegeEdison
- Oklahoma State University Institute of TechnologyOkmulgee
- Sterling College - KansasSterling
- Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth
- Lynn UniversityBoca Raton
- Milwaukee Institute of Art & DesignMilwaukee
- Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw
- National Park CollegeHot Springs
- University of Colorado BoulderBoulder
- Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington
- Columbia College HollywoodLos Angeles
- Full Sail UniversityWinter Park
- New York UniversityNew York
- Savannah College of Art and DesignSavannah
- Emerson CollegeBoston
- Miami Dade CollegeMiami
- Georgia State UniversityAtlanta
- DePaul UniversityChicago
- California State University, Long BeachLong Beach
- Los Angeles Film SchoolHollywood
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco
- American Film Institute ConservatoryLos Angeles
- University of California, RiversideRiverside
- University of Central FloridaOrlando
- Chapman UniversityOrange
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles
- University of California-IrvineIrvine
- Florida Institute of Recording Sound and TechnologyOrlando
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe
- Columbia College ChicagoChicago
- University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara
- School of Visual ArtsNew York
- New York Film AcademyBurbank
- University of UtahSalt Lake City
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia
- Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester
- Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles
- Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester
- Ithaca CollegeIthaca
- Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn
- Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro
- University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee
- University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley
- Montclair State UniversityMontclair
- Columbia UniversityNew York
- Massachusetts College of Art and DesignBoston
- Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond
- Biola UniversityLa Mirada
- University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington
- California State University, SacramentoSacramento
- Central New Mexico Community CollegeAlbuquerque
- University of OregonEugene
- New SchoolNew York
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park
- Pace UniversityNew York
- University of Nevada, Las VegasLas Vegas
- University of North Carolina School of the ArtsWinston Salem
- University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque
- Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale
- Cleveland State UniversityCleveland
- Pratt Institute-MainBrooklyn
- Broward CollegeFort Lauderdale
- Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia
- University of KansasLawrence
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale
- Santa Monica CollegeSanta Monica
- Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix
- Montana State UniversityBozeman
- University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle
- University of Rhode IslandKingston
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse
- University of IowaIowa City
- University of ArizonaTucson
- University at BuffaloBuffalo
- Nashville Film InstituteNashville
- Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco
- University of California-DavisDavis
- California State University, Dominguez HillsCarson
- University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison
- Hunter CollegeNew York
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg
- Belmont UniversityNashville
- Colegio de Cinematografía Artes y TelevisionBayamon
- Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown
- Brigham Young UniversityProvo
- Point Park UniversityPittsburgh
- Valencia CollegeOrlando
- Community College of AuroraAurora
- Portland State UniversityPortland
- Quinnipiac UniversityHamden
- Purchase CollegePurchase
- Emory UniversityAtlanta
- Regent UniversityVirginia Beach
- Los Angeles City CollegeLos Angeles
- University of MiamiCoral Gables
- American UniversityWashington
- Rhode Island School of DesignProvidence
- Fordham UniversityBronx
- Tufts UniversityMedford
- Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusMadison
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus
- Georgia Gwinnett CollegeLawrenceville
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver
- State University of New York at OswegoOswego
- ArtCenter College of DesignPasadena
- Baylor UniversityWaco
- Webster UniversitySaint Louis
- New Mexico State UniversityLas Cruces
- California Institute of the ArtsValencia
- Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg
- Marquette UniversityMilwaukee
- Southern Methodist UniversityDallas
- Utah Valley UniversityOrem
- West Los Angeles CollegeCulver City
- George Mason UniversityFairfax
- Los Angeles Valley CollegeValley Glen
- Morehouse CollegeAtlanta
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles
- Boise State UniversityBoise
- Columbus State Community CollegeColumbus
- Clayton State UniversityMorrow
- University of Central ArkansasConway
- Washtenaw Community CollegeAnn Arbor
- Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandale
- Taylor UniversityUpland
- Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green
- Marymount Manhattan CollegeNew York
- Savannah Technical CollegeSavannah
- Missouri State UniversitySpringfield
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh
- Cape Fear Community CollegeWilmington
- Keene State CollegeKeene
- Scottsdale Community CollegeScottsdale
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo
- Southern Crescent Technical CollegeGriffin
- Oakland UniversityRochester Hills
- The University of MontanaMissoula
- Florida State UniversityTallahassee
- University of VermontBurlington
- Huntington UniversityHuntington
- Seattle Film InstituteSeattle
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge
- Houston Community College SystemHouston
- Central Washington UniversityEllensburg
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- Metropolitan Community CollegeOmaha
- Purdue University West LafayetteWest Lafayette
- California College of the ArtsSan Francisco
- University of TampaTampa
- Moore Norman Technology CenterNorman
- University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia
- Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie
- Barnard CollegeNew York
- Ringling College of Art and DesignSarasota
- University of HartfordWest Hartford
- Universidad del Sagrado CorazonSanturce
- San Francisco Film SchoolSan Francisco
- University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia
- Pima Community CollegeTucson
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- Northwest Vista CollegeSan Antonio
- John Brown UniversitySiloam Springs
- High Point UniversityHigh Point
- University of the ArtsPhiladelphia
- Champlain CollegeBurlington
- City College of New YorkNew York
- Queensborough Community College, CUNYBayside
- CUNY Queens CollegeQueens
- Atlantic UniversityGuaynabo
- Occidental CollegeLos Angeles
- Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondale
- Pellissippi State Community CollegeKnoxville
- Cal Poly HumboldtArcata
- Maryland Institute College of ArtBaltimore
Frequently asked questions
What kind of prior education do I need to apply?
You need to have completed a bachelor's degree, ideally in film, media, or a related arts field. A strong portfolio of your creative work is also required.
Is this degree more theoretical or practical?
The program balances theory and practice, with many workshops and projects that let you develop hands-on skills alongside academic knowledge.
Can I work while studying this master's degree?
The program is intensive and usually full-time, so working alongside can be challenging, but some students manage part-time jobs or internships.
Are internships part of the program?
Many programs encourage or require internships to gain professional experience, helping you connect with industry professionals.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?
You can work as a filmmaker, cinematographer, video editor, photographer, or in other creative roles within media and entertainment sectors.
Is it possible to continue studying after this master's degree?
Yes, some graduates pursue doctoral studies or specialized certificates in areas like animation or digital media.
Do I need to submit a portfolio to apply?
Yes, submitting a portfolio showcasing your creative work is a key part of the application process to demonstrate your skills and artistic vision.
Is the program selective?
Admission is selective, as programs look for candidates with strong creative potential and relevant academic background.


























