What is a Television Production Degree?

A television production degree program is designed to prepare students to edit video and audio, operate camera equipment in television studios and work with production processes. People who work in the film and television industry usually have earned television production-related degrees. Read on to learn more about specific types of educational programs in this field.

<h3 id="section---AboutTelevisionProductionDegrees">About Television Production Degrees</h3> <p>Television production technology and related degree programs are offered at community colleges, colleges and universities, and vocational schools. Community colleges offer associate's degree level programs, while colleges and universities offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in the field. Most television production degree programs allow students to gain hands-on experience by working with the equipment they will use once they are on the job. Such programs require students to apply their classroom skills to outside projects or internships at network television stations. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutATelevisionProducerOccupation">Important Facts About a Television Producer Occupation</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Online Availability</td><td> Online degrees in television producing may be rare, but you may find bachelor's degrees in related film and media studies 100% online</td></tr> <tr><td>Concentrations</td><td> Television production may be a concentration within a television, media or similar degree program</td></tr> <tr><td>Continuing Education</td><td> Individual courses in related studies, such as sitcom writing, producing and directing available independent of a degree</td></tr> <tr><td>Certificates</td><td> Available in screenwriting, documentary media studies, media management and other subjects</td></tr> <tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td> $79,000 per year (<i>producers and directors</i>)*</td></tr> <tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-31)</td><td> 8% (<i>producers and directors</i>)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---TelevisionProductionDegreeCurriculum">Television Production Degree Curriculum</h3> <p>The courses in a television and film program aim to teach students how to produce and direct their own work, operate different cameras and edit projects through the use of computer software. Prior experience with digital cameras or hand-held video cameras helps students concentrate on the artistic and technical aspects of the work. Many programs require students to complete approximately 120 credit hours of courses that may include the following: </p> <ul><li>Communication and Media Arts </li><li>Writing for the Media </li><li>Audio Production for Film/Digital Media </li><li>Graphics for Television </li><li>Video Production </li><li>Digital Post Production </li><li>Field Video Production </li><li>Broadcast Animation </li><li>Camera Operation </li><li>Lighting for Television </li><li>Recording </li><li>Video Editing and Streaming </li></ul><h3 id="section---CareerOpportunities">Career Opportunities</h3> <p>Qualified graduates may obtain entry-level jobs in the film and television industry as production assistants, camera operators, audio engineers, station representatives, talent coordinators and video editors. These individuals might work their way up the career ladder and eventually become corporate video producers, network executive producers or television directors. Additional career paths include computer animation designer, line/field producer or station manager.</p>