Online Film School Programs

The film industry generated $100 billion worldwide in 2019, according to the Motion Picture Association. As tempting as it may sound to work in such a lucrative professional arena, most film students pursue a degree and eventual career out of a passion for the art and craft of filmmaking.

Film careers span technical and creative arenas and often pay above-average salaries. For example, producers and directors earn an annual median salary of $74,420, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), while video editors and camera operators earn $59,810. Both salary levels remain above the average median income of $39,810 for other occupations.

Students can pursue a film degree at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

Associate and master’s degrees in film typically take two years to complete. A bachelor’s degree takes four years and a doctorate can take 4-6 years.

Most entry-level positions in the film industry require at least an associate or bachelor’s degree. Higher-level jobs or management positions may require a master’s.

Admission requirements vary between schools and degree types. Most bachelor’s in film programs require a high school or GED diploma, a portfolio of relevant work or a writing sample, a transcript, and at least one recommendation letter.

Students who enroll in an online film school receive the same education as on-campus learners since institutions maintain the same level of rigor for both online and on-campus programs. Online enrollees often enjoy added benefits, including those shown below.

Students who wish to compare the cost of attending an on-campus versus an online film school can use the calculation tool below. A school’s website typically contains all the required information. Prospective students should note that other factors, including scholarships and enrollment status, can impact the cost of attendance.

A well-crafted film curriculum includes courses that train students in different aspects of the industry as an art and a profession. Although informative and necessary, classroom instruction comprises only a segment of film programs. In film school, students often learn by doing. At the end of a screenwriting class, for example, enrollees submit a feature-length script.

Because the industry encompasses a broad professional arena, online film school offerings vary. Some schools offer specializations and follow a curriculum that supports those specific fields. However, most online film schools offer the foundation courses below.

Several professional organizations and private nonprofit groups administer scholarships for film students. Some scholarships focus on a specific subfield, but many programs accept applications from students pursuing a degree in a general media-related field. See below for three scholarships open to film students.

Who Can Apply: Administered through the American Indian College Fund, this program welcomes applications from Native American students majoring in a media-related field such as film and television. Applicants need a 2.0 GPA or higher.

Amount: $5,250

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Who Can Apply: Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in broadcasting and media at an accredited four-year institution can apply. Applicants need at least a junior standing in their program.

Amount: $3,500

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Who Can Apply: Full-time or part-time students pursuing a film degree at an accredited U.S. college or university can apply. Applicants must submit a film made as part of a school requirement that is no longer than 40 minutes and in English.

Amount: $2,000-$5,000

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