Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Film & TV Production
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in film and TV production at Sam Houston State University is perfect for anyone interested in studying digital cinema.
Whether you want to write, direct, produce, design, edit, or shoot, you can get your first shot with a Sam Houston film & TV degree plan. The BFA in film and TV production provides students with an excellent liberal arts education from a renowned department with a high degree of student-faculty interaction, a wide variety of hands-on courses, state-of-the-art facilities located in the Dan Rather Communications Building, and worldwide networking opportunities. Students will be prepared for a career in motion picture and media production in a diverse, multicultural, and rapidly changing media world.
Requirements:
All students who choose to declare a major or minor in Mass Communication or Ag/Com will be required to pass the Pearson Grammar Competency Lab with a score of 80 percent or better before they will be allowed to register for 3000 or 4000-level courses in MCFL, MCJR, MCOM, MCPA, or MCPD. Please visit the Grammar Module for additional information.
A digital media portfolio or a link to an online digital media portfolio must be submitted to the department during the student's first semester at SHSU. A review of the portfolio will determine if the student is allowed to remain in the BFA program. Students not passing the portfolio review will be required to select another concentration within the department. Students may be required to submit subsequent digital portfolios for review throughout the program.
Students are required to earn a C or better in all degree specific courses in MCFL, MCJR, MCOM, MCPA, or MCPD.
All undergraduate students are required to complete at least six hours of writing enhanced courses within the discipline, of which three hours must be advanced.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Film and TV Production | ||
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) 1 | 3 | |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 2 | 3 | |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) 3 | 3 | |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 4 | 4 | |
| Major: Foundation | ||
| MCFL 3351 | Moving Image Aesthetics | 3 |
| MCFL 3352 | Cinematography | 3 |
| MCFL 3353 | Advanced Editing for Film & TV | 3 |
| MCFL 3359 | Directing for Film and TV | 3 |
| MCFL 3372 | Single Camera and Non-Linear Editing I | 3 |
| MCFL 4375 | Screenwriting II | 3 |
| MCOM 1130 | Media Literacy 4 | 1 |
| MCOM 1330 | Media, Culture and Society (Writing Enhanced) 2 | 3 |
| MCOM 1332 | Writing For Mass Media (Writing Enhanced) | 3 |
| MCOM 1371 | Audio Production & Performance 4 | 3 |
| MCOM 2366 | Film Appreciation 3 | 3 |
| MCOM 2371 | TV & Film Production | 3 |
| MCOM 3026 | Media Practicum | 3 |
| or MCOM 4398 | Professional Internship | |
| MCOM 4099 | Independent Study | 3 |
| MCOM 4371 | Mass Media Law And Ethics (Writing Enhanced) | 3 |
| MCPD 3373 | Studio Production | 3 |
| MCPD 3375 | Scriptwriting | 3 |
| MCPD 3377 | Multi-Camera Studio Production | 3 |
| MCPD 3378 | Production Management | 3 |
| MCPD 3379 | Multi-Camera Field Production | 3 |
| MCPD 4351 | New Media Platforms | 3 |
| MCPD 4373 | Advanced Production | 3 |
| MCPD 4378 | Multi-Camera Remotes | 3 |
| THEA 1364 | Beginning Acting | 3 |
| Electives: General | ||
| General Electives | 12 | |
| Major: Prescribed Electives | 6 | |
| Choose two of the following: | ||
| Film History I | ||
| Film History II | ||
| Select Film Genre | ||
| Film Theory | ||
| Minor: Not Required 5 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
MATH 1332 is the recommended math course for students in this program.
- 2
MCOM 1330 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture).
- 3
MCOM 2366 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area V (Creative Arts).
- 4
MCOM 1371 and MCOM 1130 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) as well as the major.
- 5
A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
All Mass Communication majors and minors must earn a grade of "C" or better in each Mass Communication course.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area I | 3 | Component Area I | 3 |
| Component Area III | 4 | Component Area II2 | 3 |
| Component Area VIII | 3 | Component Area III | 4 |
| MCOM 1330 (Writing Enhanced)1 | 3 | MCOM 13713 | 3 |
| MCOM 1332 (Writing Enhanced) | 3 | MCOM 2371 | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| HIST 13014 | 3 | HIST 13024 | 3 |
| MCFL 3352 | 3 | MCFL 3351 | 3 |
| MCOM 23665 | 3 | MCFL 3372 | 3 |
| MCPD 3373 | 3 | MCPD 3375 | 3 |
| THEA 1364 | 3 | POLS 23056 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MCFL 3354, 3355, 3356, or 4350 | 3 | MCFL 3355, 3354, 3356, or 4350 | 3 |
| MCFL 3353 | 3 | MCFL 4375 | 3 |
| MCOM 11303 | 1 | MCPD 3378 | 3 |
| MCPD 3377 | 3 | MCPD 3379 | 3 |
| POLS 23066 | 3 | General Electives | 3 |
| 13 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| General Electives | 3 | MCOM 4099 | 3 |
| MCFL 3359 | 3 | MCOM 4398 or 3026 | 3 |
| MCOM 4371 (Writing Enhanced) | 3 | MCPD 4373 | 3 |
| MCPD 4351 | 3 | General Electives | 3 |
| MCPD 4378 | 3 | General Electives | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
- 1
MCOM 1330 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture).
- 2
MATH 1332 is the recommended math course for students in this program.
- 3
MCOM 1371 and MCOM 1130 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) as well as the major.
- 4
Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).
- 5
MCOM 2366 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area V (Creative Arts).
- 6
Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
All Mass Communication majors and minors must earn a grade of "C" or better in each Mass Communication course.
A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The BFA in Film & TV Production is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Demonstrate strong oral, aural, and written communication skills.
- Utilize leadership, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
- Conduct the collection, analysis, and management of digital data.
- Conceptualize and produce original and creative media.
- Produce media campaigns for social and digital platforms.
