Undergraduate
Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Film & Media Arts study creative and technical production, history, criticism, and theory. Students have the freedom to tailor the degree across multiple areas of interest including documentary, narrative and experimental filmmaking, animation, screenwriting, sound production, critical studies, and new media.
While a student may choose an emphasis in either Animation or Film Production, an emphasis is not required.
Students are encouraged to speak to an academic advisor regularly during their academic careers.
To make an appointment with the advisor, please visit the College of Fine Arts Academic Advisor page.
Animation Emphasis
Animation in the Department of Film & Media Arts at the University of Utah emphasizes the integration of critical, historical, theoretical, and practical components of animation studies and production. Our goal is to enable students to develop expertise in the understanding and use of animation and moving images for artistic, social, and pre-professional purposes. Students will not only advance technical knowledge of animation media, but also develop critical views and awareness of animation through historical studies, theoretical analysis, and cross-cultural examination.
As a research hub of higher education, the Department of Film & Media Arts at the University of Utah also promotes interdisciplinary learning and practice in animation. Students are encouraged to take cross-college and campus courses in order to develop an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of animation media.
In the 2025 Animation School Rankings, the U was rated:
Top 40 School nationally among Public Schools and Colleges
Top 10 School in the Southwest
Top 25 School Nationally among schools offering an Animation related BA
Film Production Emphasis
Students in a Film Production emphasis will gain a comprehensive understanding of the film production process, from grip & lighting to sound & editing. The flexible degree structure allows students to pursue their own interest, and prepares them for the ever-changing media landscape by learning fundamental principles of narrative and art.
Courses are offered in documentary production, narrative production, 16 mm filmmaking, and digital cinematography.
Animation Studies Minor
The Animation Studies Minor offers students a comprehensive foundation in the study and practice of animation as a complement to studies in live-action film and media arts as well as related fields like game design, graphic design, and painting and drawing.
Documentary Studies Minor
A program for students with an interest in documentary creation, the Documentary Studies Minor covers a range of forms, from film and video to radio and podcasts to interactive and immersive media, and culminates in the creation of a capstone project.
The Minor is highly interdisciplinary, tapping into faculty and production facilities from several colleges.
Film Teaching Licensure Option
The Department of Film & Media Arts offers the option for interested students to learn the necessary in-depth knowledge of film in order to be a Kindergarten - Twelfth Grade film and media arts educator in the public school system. If you are interested, make an appointment to speak with a CFA academic advisor about this option.
The purpose of the Film Teaching Licensure Option in the BA Program is to prepare elementary, junior high, middle school, and high school arts educators. Competent film and media arts teaching requires both in-depth knowledge of subject matter (film/media arts) and skill in applying educational concepts and principles that are developmentally appropriate. The College of Education’s Urban Institute for Teacher Education (UITE) oversees teacher licensure at the University of Utah. UITE is located in SAEC 2264.
Note: Licensing is dictated by specific deadlines. Students pursuing an educator license should contact the UITE as soon as possible to learn about deadlines, background check requirements, and student teaching. To contact, visit uite.utah.edu or call or 801-581-6818.
College of Education Teacher Licensure Admission Requirements
Candidates for the licensure program are admitted on a rolling admissions basis. Complete applications must be received no later than February 1st prior to the anticipated licensure year. The application consists of:
Online Application
Statement of Professional Purpose
Transcript
Three Letters of Recommendation
Major Minor Sign off forms
Background Check Clearance from the Utah State Board of Education
Background Check for Initial Licensure: In order to participate in any field-based course, including student teaching, student must pass a State and Federal background check (including fingerprinting) through the Utah State Board of Education. Background checks should be completed the first semester of full major status. Background checks are continuously monitored for 5 years before renewal is required. University of Utah must be listed as your institution of record when completing the background check process.
Required Utah Teaching Licensure Courses for Film/Visual Media Arts:
ETHNC 2550 Intro to Black Studies, ETHNC 2560 Intro to Chicanx/Latine Studies, ETHNC 2570 Intro to Native American & Indigenous Studies, ETHNC 2580 Intro to Asian American Studies, OR ETHNC 2590 Intro to Pacific Islander Studies.
ECS 2150: Introduction to Multicultural Education DV
FCS 1500: Human Development Across the Lifespan BF
SPED 2012: Teaching Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Secondary Classrooms
SPED 5022: Principals of Instruction and Behavioral Support
EDU 5490: Field Practicum: Secondary
EDU 5201: Teaching Practices, Ethics, and Professional Development
EDU 5491: Professional Development & Teacher Research
EDU 5495: Student Teaching
Required Film and Media Arts Courses to Complete for the Film Endorsement:
FILM 1110: Introduction to Film and Media Arts
FILM 1500: Making Movies
FILM 2110: History of Film and Media Arts: Origins to the 1960s, AND/OR
FILM 2115: History of Film and Media Arts: 1960s to the PresentFILM 3530: Directing, OR
FILM 3570: Digital Cinematography, OR
FILM 4820: ScreenwritingFILM 3412: Editing, OR
FILM 3420: Sound for Film and Digital Media
FILM 3565: Digital Effects and Compositing for the ScreenFILM 5560/5570: Film Production
Capstone I & II, OR
FILM 4960: Animation Project, OR
FILM 4510: Documentary Filmmaking OR
FILM 4590: Directing the Independent Film OR
FILM 4520: 16mm. CinematographyFILM 4230: Film Teaching Methods in K-12 Classrooms
Screen Performance Certificate
The Certificate in Screen Performance offers undergraduate students in both Film & Media Arts and Theatre an opportunity to extend their major program of study with focused training in screen performance. Required course topics include acting, directing, and film production with opportunities for students to choose electives in areas such as script analysis, screenwriting, and cinematography. Fostering opportunities for new student work and empowering students to continue their art in a self-directed fashion after graduation.
Admission to the certificate is open to undergraduate Film & Media Arts and Theatre majors who want to enhance their existing degrees with a concentrated course of study on the art and craft of performance for cinema, television, and digital media.