An online associate degree in film and cinema may provide individuals with the introductory skills and training to delve into cinematography and the artistry of film. Students enrolled in these two-year programs may explore lighting and sound, develop screenwriting skills, and investigate specific camera angles to create different moods on film. Students may complete general education requirements, cinema-based electives, and major-specific courses, such as media and society, film history, and entertainment law.

Upon graduation, students may seek entry-level employment or transfer their credits and enroll in a baccalaureate-level program in film and cinema. Associate-level graduates may find employment opportunities in entertainment, cinema, and broadcasting.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: High School Diploma or GED
• Program Length: Two years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Entry-Level Employment or Bachelor’s Program
• Projected Employment Growth: 5% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum within an online associate-level program in film and cinema may include general education requirements, major-specific courses, and electives pertaining to cinema. In these two-year programs, students may learn how to analyze and respond critically to different film styles, demonstrate knowledge about film art history, and understand how film productions work. Core film and cinema courses may include the following:

• Cinema Studies
• Film History
• Screenwriting
• Film and New Digital Media
• Media and Society
• Entertainment Law
• Script Analysis

Career Options

Associate-level film and cinema graduates may find employment in broadcasting, entertainment, and communications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for those pursuing careers as film and video editors are expected to increase by 5% from 2010-2020.*.

Possible careers include:

• Film and Video Editor
• Lighting Designer
• Screen Writer
• First Camera Assistant
• Actor

Continuing Education

Graduates of online associate degree in film and cinema may opt to further their education and transfer their credits into a bachelor’s degree in film and cinema. These four-year programs may provide students with in-depth training on film language terminology, differentiate significant contexts, and apply different theoretical approaches.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook