The Cinema and Media Studies Program in the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media offers two tracks for completion of the MA degree, a Pre-doctoral Track (MA/Ph.D.) intended for students who wish to continue their education at the doctoral level and a Professional Track (MA Professional) intended for students who seek careers in the entertainment industry, archives, film festivals and related fields.
Prospective students should indicate their preferred track, study rationale and career goals as part of the Personal Statement at the time of application. The tracks are described below:
Integrated Degree Track (referred to as the MA-I.D. track on the application): The MA/Ph.D. track is intended for those planning to continue into a doctoral program and who wish to build careers in University teaching and research. The MA/Ph.D. track emphasizes core area coursework in film and media history, theory and analysis as a preparation and foundation for doctoral study (at UCLA or another institution). This academically rigorous program is designed to move students into doctoral work after one year; however students can extend their studies for up to seven quarters.
Successful completion of at least nine courses is necessary to fulfill requirements of the MA/Ph.D. MA degree. Three core courses are required, including a Capstone Seminar, which will produce a substantial research paper as the culminating project for the degree. The remaining six elective courses are elective seminars. Of the six electives, one must be in the area of Media History, one in Cinema and Media Theory, and two must be from outside the Cinema and Media Studies area, but within the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media. These courses allow students to firsthand experience in the practical areas of Film Production, Screenwriting, Producing and Animation.
Select, highly qualified applicants to the MA/Ph.D. track may be directly admitted to a combined MA/Ph.D. degree at their time of application to the MA/Ph.D. MA program. Students admitted to the combined MA/Ph.D. degree will be funded for five years of study and are guaranteed admission into the doctoral program at UCLA, pending satisfactory completion of the MA
Students admitted to the MA/Ph.D. track, but who do not qualify for the combined MA/Ph.D. degree at the time of initial application, are invited to apply for admission to Ph.D. program after completing at least one quarter of MA study. Students must adhere to posted Ph.D. application deadlines for internal Ph.D. candidates and must satisfactorily complete requirements of the MA degree prior to commencing doctoral study.
Professional Track (referred to as the MA-R.P. track on the application): The MA Professional track offers an MA degree for those seeking expertise in critical analysis and research in formal preparation for a range of emerging careers in public and professional fields. The MA Professional track directly responds to the new interdisciplinary and intermedial nature of contemporary film, television and digital media and provides support for those interested in careers in film festivals/media programming, film/media criticism, media archives and media industries research.
Students in this track are encouraged to enroll in internships and proseminars, which are courses specifically tailored to building the skills necessary for work in the field and are highly encouraged to take advantage of our professional internship opportunities which capitalize on UCLA’s unique geographical position within the film and media industries in Southern California.
Successful completion of at least nine courses is necessary to fulfill requirements of the MA Professional MA degree. Three core courses are required, including a Capstone Seminar, which will produce a report on the experience in a Professional internship or a research paper as the culminating project for the degree. The remaining six elective courses are elective seminars. Of the six electives, one must be in the area of Media History, one in Cinema and Media Theory, and two must be from outside the Cinema and Media Studies area, but within the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media. These courses allow students to firsthand experience in the practical areas of Film Production, Screenwriting, Producing and Animation.
The MA Professional track is aimed primarily at students who do not currently intend to go on for the Ph.D. However, students in the MA Professional program are not prohibited from applying to the Ph.D. While possible to complete the MA Professional track as a one-year degree, students can extend their studies for up to seven quarters.
MEET OUR STUDENTS
The CMS Media Professions MA Degree Track – At a Glance
The CMS Media Professions MA Degree Track is an MA for students planning to pursue careers in film and media festival programming, archives and the entertainment industry. The degree can be completed in three quarters, but students are permitted to take up to seven quarters to complete. This degree offers the option of a professional internship, which students should begin to seek in their first quarter of residency. Completing the Media Professions MA Degree Track requires successful completion of 36 units and at least 9 courses, which consist of the following:
Required: 3 Core Courses. These courses are required during the first year in the CMS Media Professions MA Degree Track.
- FTV 215B Text & Context in an Intermedia Age
- FTV 211A Historiography: Media, History and the Archive
- FTV 213 Capstone Seminar
Required: 6 Elective Graduate Seminar Courses. A maximum of 2 of 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 who have been awarded at Teaching Assistant position or who wish to apply, must have completed or be currently enrolled in 495A to accept a TA position (offered one time/year in fall).
- FTV 495A, Section 1 TA Training
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.
The CMS MA/Ph.D. MA Degree Track – At a Glance
The CMS MA/Ph.D. Degree Track is primarily intended for students planning to continue studies in the doctoral program and who wish to build careers in university teaching and research. Students admitted to the MA/Ph.D. are conditionally guaranteed admission to the doctoral program pending their success in the MA track, but they must also apply for internal admission to the Ph.D. program by the end of fall quarter (please see posted deadlines) and complete their intellectual statement. The MA portion of the degree should be completed in three quarters, but students are permitted to take up to seven quarters to complete. Students entering this program are required to complete a Ph.D. Intellectual Statement document. This document will provide the faculty with a general road map of intended study in the Ph.D. Completing the MA/Ph.D. Degree Track requires successful completion of 36 units and at least 9 courses, which consist of the following:
Required: 3 Core Courses + TA Training. These courses are required during the first year in the CMS Media Professions MA Degree Track.
- FTV 495A, Section 1 TA Training
- FTV 215B Text & Context in an Intermedia Age
- FTV 211A Historiography: Media, History and the Archive
- FTV 213 Capstone Seminar + Intellectual Statement
Required: 6 Elective Graduate Seminar Courses. A maximum of 2 of 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: 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.
All MA programs in Film, Television and Digital Media are full-time programs. The department admits new students only once each year for the Fall Quarter and the next application period is for Fall 2024. We will be publishing the Fall 2024 supplemental requirements by September 15, 2023.
We Do Not Accept Films, DVDs or CDs
Applicants must submit all required application materials to be considered for admission.
Online and Mailed Application Deadline: December 1, 2023
By the time of entrance, MA applicants must:
APPLICATION WORKSHEET AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY - COMING SOON
Please complete all of the following steps:
Step 1: Online
- Complete the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.
- MUST be paid and completed online by December 1, 2023.
- Indicate MA, Film and Television, Cinema and Media Studies as the program.
- Upload the Statement of Purpose.
- Submit a 1-2 page document.
- Upload a Personal Statement.
- Upload a Resume/CV.
- Upload a sample of Scholarly Writing.
- Submit a 3,000-5,000 word document.
- Upload Unofficial copies of all Transcripts.
- Submit Three Letters of Recommendation
- Enter the Names and Emails of all recommenders into the UCLA Gradate Division Online Application.
Step 2: Mail
- Mail an Official copy of all Transcripts from each Undergraduate and Graduate institution attended.
- Note: Community College transcripts are not necessary.
- Request that all test scores be sent directly to UCLA.
- Only test scores taken by December 31, 2023 will be accepted.
- The GRE UCLA Code is 4837 and the Department Code is 2409.
- Note: The GRE is optional for MA Applicants.
Mailing Address
Please Send all applicable materials to:
Graduate Film Admissions: Cinema and Media Studies
UCLA Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media
103 East Melnitz Hall, Box 951622
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622
Online and Mailed Application Deadline: December 1, 2023.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
For more information on requirements and applying to UCLA as an international student, visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/international-applicants/.
English Proficiency: Any international applicant whose first language is not English must certify proficiency in English when applying to UCLA, and, if admitted, upon arrival. Such applicants must submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as part of their application. The UCLA Code is 4837 and the Department Code is 2409. Only test scores taken by December 31, 2023 will be accepted For more information about this requirement, visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/english-requirements/. International applicants who have received a bachelor’s degree from an American institution are not required to take the TOEFL.
Academic Records: Although the Application for Graduate Admission enables applicants to upload an unofficial copy of their academic records, all applicants are required to submit official records from each academic institution attended. For more information about this requirement, visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/required-academic-records/.
Undergrad Degree Requirement: Applicants must complete equivalent to a 4 year US Bachelor’s Degree. International students who hold three-year ordinary pass degrees, or who hold professional diplomas in accounting, business, librarianship, social work, physical education, health education and so on, or four-year degrees, diplomas or higher certificates from technical, vocational or post-secondary specialized schools are NOT eligible for graduate admission. For Academic Requirements by Country or Educational System, visit: https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/required-academic-records/.
Proof of Funding for Visa: U.S. immigration law requires that international applicants, if admitted, show documented evidence that sufficient funds to cover all tuition, fees, transportation, and living expenses are available for the first year of their studies at UCLA. This must be proven before a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS2019) for a visa can be issued. For more information about this requirement, visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/visa-procedures/.
FAFSA
For U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents interested in receiving financial aid in the 2024-2025 year, note that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline for UCLA is March 2, 2024. Applicants must complete the FAFSA by this date if they want to be eligible for all awards, work-study, and scholarships that UCLA offers. If applying after March 2, please check with the Financial Aid Office for available funding opportunities. www.financialaid.ucla.edu
DREAM Act
For non-US Citizens or non-Permanent Residents who are approved to pay in-state tuition because they graduated from a high school in California; they will need to complete the California DREAM application by the March 2, 2024 deadline. The DREAM application can be accessed at https://dream.csac.ca.gov. If applying after March 2, please check with the Financial Aid Office for available funding opportunities. www.financialaid.ucla.edu
Please visit the FAQ page for additional information, call 310-206-8441, or email filmgrad@tft.ucla.edu.
** Please do not contact the department to check on your application, as we cannot update you on your application status or materials.
