Which Film Schools Are Located in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, you will find a variety of film school programs available at the undergraduate and graduate level. Continue reading to learn more about each school.

What You Need to Know

Students interested in earning a degree in film may elect to pursue a bachelor's or a master's degree in the field. In Pennsylvania, there are at least four schools that offer film programs; schools are all four-year and include both publicly and privately funded institutions. Admission requirements, such as letters of recommendation, an interview, and/or a possible portfolio, may apply. Students must earn a bachelor's degree in any field prior to applying to graduate school. Most film students develop a portfolio during their education, culminating in an exhibition or senior project. Master's degrees in film require the completion of a thesis project in the final year.

Film Bachelor's Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

Chatham University

Chatham University's undergraduate film program is designed to help students build conceptual, creative and technical skills, as well as develop an understanding of film as both a means of self-expression and a medium shaped by cultural and societal forces. While enrolled, you'll take general studies classes, core courses and electives. Some of the major courses you'll be required to take include writing for emerging media and film, sound production, media literacy, Web design and digital video production. Upon graduation, you can work in film and media production or pursue graduate studies.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Film and Digital Technology
• Specialization Areas: Film, emerging media arts
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $37,611 per semester (2018-2019 school year)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or its equivalent; SAT or ACT test scores or resume, letters of recommendation; graded writing sample; high school courses including 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 3 years of science and 3 years of social science
• Requirements: Interview and optional portfolio
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for profit; 1,254 undergraduate students and 1,082 graduate students

Pennsylvania State University-University Park

Pennsylvania State University's undergraduate degree program in film and video production provides in-depth study of many facets of production, including cinematography, writing, editing, sound, business practices and production management. You'll have the opportunity to study film theory through lecture courses and develop your own creative style through hands-on production classes. Some of the courses you'll take include cinematography and editing, media writing and film theory. You'll also have the opportunity to choose from electives in areas such as narrative production, documentary production, producing, directing and screenwriting. Upon graduation, you can continue your education through graduate study or pursue a career in communications, media, television or a related area.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Film-Video Production
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $18,454 for in-state students; $34,858 for out-of-state students (2018-2019 school year)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or its equivalent, SAT or ACT test scores, counselor form
• Requirements: Completion of Comm 150 and Comm 242 with at least a 'C'; film portfolio including a short film, video or script, a creative writing exercise and a written statement
• School Type: 4-year, public; 40,363 undergraduate students and 6,447 graduate students

Temple University

As a film and media arts student at Temple University, you'll have access to guest speakers, faculty mentorships and special workshops. The program covers film theory, craft and practice and enables you to create both independent and commercial productions. Some of the courses you can take include media arts, film noir, filmmaking, audio production, video editing, media writing and animation. The program culminates in a 2-semester senior project, during which you'll produce a film for exhibition.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $16,970 for in-state students; $29,066 for out-of-state students (2018-2019 school year)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or its equivalent, high school GPA of at least 3.0 in college preparatory courses, essay, SAT or ACT test scores, letters of recommendation (optional), list of extra-curricular activities (optional)
• Requirements: Complete introductory media arts courses prior to enrolling in upper division courses
• School Type: 4-year, public; 29,484 undergraduate students and 10,256 graduate students

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania allows you to select from two undergraduate film degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Cinema Studies and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fine Arts with a concentration in film and video. If you want to critically study the historical and theoretical aspects of film, the interdisciplinary cinema studies program may be a good fit. Though you'll have the chance to take production courses, the majority of your studies will focus on film criticism and theory.

If you're interested in learning film production techniques, then the BFA may be a better option. As you learn about the theoretical and technical aspects of film production, you'll have the opportunity to develop a portfolio showcasing your body of work. You'll also have access to a variety of resources, including high-definition shooting kits, sound-design equipment and editing bays.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts with a concentration in film/video
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $55,584 (2018-2019 school year)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or its equivalent, SAT reasoning test and 2 SAT subject tests or ACT plus writing test, TOEFL test scores (for non-native English speakers), letters of recommendation (optional)
• Requirements: Portfolio, CD or DVD of work (optional), alumni interview (optional)
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; 11,851 undergraduate students and 14,009 graduate students

Film Master's Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

Chatham University

The graduate film program at Chatham University is one of the few accelerated film programs in the country that combines film and digital technology. The curriculum is project-based, allowing you to collaborate with other students and focus your coursework around your areas of interest. One highlight of the program is that it offers small classes taught by recognized filmmakers. Some of the core classes you'll take include media history, screenwriting, media production and several media project courses emphasizing various aspects of production, such as sound, visual effects and animation. Prior to graduation, you'll be required to complete a thesis project under the guidance of both an instructor and an advisor.

• Program Name: Master of Fine Arts in Film and Digital Technology
• Program Length: 1-year, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $17,244 for tuition and $500 in fees (2018-2019 graduate school year)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree from an accredited school, 3.0 or higher GPA, resume, goals and experience statement, 2 letters of recommendation
• Requirements: Film and/or digital media portfolio
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for profit; 1,254 undergraduate students and 1,082 graduate students

Temple University

Temple University's Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in film and media arts is known for its alternative film and video program, which challenges traditional Hollywood and commercial practices. This intensive 3-year program requires students to complete coursework, pass comprehensive exams and submit a creative thesis project. Required coursework includes videography, cinematography, film history and writing for the media.

• Program Name: Master of Fine Arts in Film and Media Arts
• Program Length: 3 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $16,488 for tuition and $890 in fees for in-state students; $22,698 for tuition and $890 in fees for out-of-state students (2018-2019 graduate school year)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, personal interests and professional goals statement, resume, 3 letters of recommendation, GRE combined test scores of 1000 or higher, TOEFL score of 575 or higher (for non-native English speakers)
• Requirements: Creative portfolio or exhibit, usually a film or a video, but creative writing, music, artwork, digital art or research projects may also be considered
• School Type: 4-year, public; 29,484 undergraduate students and 10,256 graduate students

In this article you learned about nationally recognized Pennsylvania film schools at Chatham, Penn State, Temple and the University of Pennsylvania.