TV Camera Operator Schools and Training Programs
Many education and career training paths can lead to work as a TV camera operator. Read on to learn more about these opportunities and how to select a school.
What You Need to Know
Prospective TV camera operators can find training for their career in broadcasting technology or TV broadcasting programs. Education options include diplomas, certificates, associate's and bachelor's degrees, with most employers preferring employees to complete their bachelor's degree. Programs teach you how to handle camera operations as well as offer classes that cover many other skills useful to broadcast journalism.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Programs</b></td><td>Diplomas, certificates, associate's and bachelor's degrees are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Classes</b></td><td>TV direction, studio production, broadcast writing, marketing and law, broadcast speech, announcing, sound design, advertising, broadcasting, scriptwriting, audio production</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Schools</b></td><td> Look for schools with on-campus television studios and hands-on training or independent project opportunities</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhatTVCameraOperatorTrainingProgramsAreAvailable">What TV Camera Operator Training Programs Are Available?</h3><p>Certificate, diploma and associate's degree programs in broadcasting technology could lead to entry-level positions working in television studios. Through entry-level positions like production assistant and lighting crewmember, you may have the opportunity to work up to the role of a camera operator. You may find programs with concentrations in TV broadcasting for more specific training opportunities.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAboutBachelorSDegreePrograms">What About Bachelor's Degree Programs?</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers for TV camera operator positions commonly prefer job candidates who have completed bachelor's degree programs. You may prefer enrolling in a film school for extensive work with camera technology and video production that would be relevant to working in television.
</p><p>Bachelor's degree programs in broadcasting focus on technical aspects of the field. Broadcasting programs are often integrated with journalism curricula, and may be beneficial to you if you're interested in research and reporting.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillIStudy">What Will I Study?</h3><p>Through certificate, diploma and associate's degree programs in broadcasting technology or TV broadcasting, you might study the following topics:
</p><ul><li>TV direction
</li><li>Studio production
</li><li>Broadcast writing
</li><li>Marketing
</li><li>Law
</li></ul><p>You may also have the opportunity to enroll in a program that goes beyond technical operation concepts and includes performance courses, like broadcast speech and announcing.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAboutCoursesInABachelorSDegree">What About Courses in a Bachelor's Degree?</h3><p>Bachelor's degree programs in film may offer concentration opportunities in TV production. Through broadcast programs, you may have the opportunity to take courses in news reporting and writing for television. Journalism courses may also be available. These topics could be explored in your training program at the bachelor's level:
</p><ul><li>Sound design
</li><li>Studio production
</li><li>Advertising
</li><li>Broadcasting
</li><li>Scriptwriting
</li><li>Audio production
</li><li>Management
</li><li>Electronic media
</li><li>Marketing
</li><li>Media research
</li><li>Editing
</li></ul><h3 id="section---HowCanIChooseASchool">How Can I Choose a School?</h3><p>Schools that provide internship opportunities could be beneficial to you at all levels of education because they allow you to gain professional experience operating cameras and other technical equipment. Programs that culminate in the completion of an independent project could also allow you to add the specialization of camera operation to your broader educational experience. According to the BLS, joining schools with active audiovisual clubs could be beneficial to your technical training (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). You may consider enrolling in programs with operating television studios in order to gain additional hands-on training. A handful of the schools that offer degree programs for aspiring TV camera operators include:
</p><ul><li>Hinds Community College (Raymond, MS)
</li><li>Full Sail University (Winter Park, FL)
</li><li>Pittsburgh State University (PA)
</li><li>Syracuse University (NY)
</li><li>University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg)
</li><li>University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College (OH)</li></ul>