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 BFA students must submit a portfolio of their work by the end of their second year (fourth semester) in the program. Each portfolio will be reviewed by the committee, which will determine whether it is strong enough to qualify the student for graduation with a BFA in Media Production and Technology, pending the completion of all required coursework.
Students are required to earn a C or better in all degree specific courses in MCEM, MCFL, MCJR, MCOM, MCPA, and 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) 4 | 3 | |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 5 | 4 | |
| Major: Foundation | ||
| MCEM 3321 | Immersive Media Prod Tools & Content Creation | 3 |
| MCEM 3322 | Generative AI Prod Tools & Content Creation | 3 |
| MCEM 4321 | Adv Storytelling with Motion Graphics & Effects | 3 |
| MCEM 4351 | New Media Platforms | 3 |
| 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 |
| or MCFL 3358 | Screenwriting I: Narrative Writing for Film & Television | |
| MCOM 1130 | Media Literacy 5 | 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 5 | 3 |
| MCOM 2366 | Film Appreciation 3 | 3 |
| MCOM 2371 | TV & Film Production | 3 |
| MCOM 3026 | Media Practicum | 3 |
| or MCOM 4099 | Independent Study | |
| or MCOM 4398 | Professional Internship | |
| MCOM 4371 | Mass Media Law And Ethics (Writing Enhanced) | 3 |
| MCOM 4395 | Careers in Film & Media | 3 |
| MCPD 3373 | Multi-Cam Studio Production I | 3 |
| MCPD 3375 | Scriptwriting | 3 |
| MCPD 3378 | Production Management | 3 |
| MCPD 3379 | Multi-Cam Field Production I | 3 |
| MCPD 4373 | Advanced Production | 3 |
| THEA 1364 | Beginning Acting | 3 |
| Electives: General | ||
| General Electives | 9 | |
| Major: Prescribed Electives | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Film History I | ||
or MCFL 4375 | Screenwriting II | |
| Film History II | ||
| Select Film Genre | ||
| Film Theory | ||
| Multi-Cam Studio Production II | ||
| Multi-Cam Field Production II | ||
| Minor: Not Required 6 | ||
| 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) as well as the Major.
- 3
MCOM 2366 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area V (Creative Arts) as well as the Major.
- 4
MCOM 1307 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirements for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).
- 5
MCOM 1130 and MCOM 1371 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) as well as the Major.
- 6
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 Media and Communication majors and minors must earn a grade of "C" or better in each Media and 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 II3 | 3 |
| Component Area VIII1 | 3 | Component Area III | 4 |
| MCOM 1330 (Writing Enhanced)2 | 3 | MCOM 13714 | 3 |
| MCOM 1332 (Writing Enhanced) | 3 | MCOM 2371 | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| HSTY 13015 | 3 | HSTY 13025 | 3 |
| MCFL 3352 | 3 | MCFL 3351 | 3 |
| MCOM 23666 | 3 | MCFL 3372 | 3 |
| MCPD 3373 | 3 | MCPD 3375 | 3 |
| THEA 1364 | 3 | POLS 23057 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MCEM 3321 | 3 | General Electives | 3 |
| MCFL 3353 | 3 | MCFL 4375 or 3358 | 3 |
| MCOM 11304 | 1 | MCPD 3378 | 3 |
| POLS 23067 | 3 | MCPD 3379 | 3 |
| Prescribed Electives8 | 3 | Prescribed Electives8 | 3 |
| 13 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| General Electives | 3 | General Electives | 3 |
| MCEM 3322 | 3 | MCEM 4321 | 3 |
| MCEM 4351 | 3 | MCOM 3026, 4099, or 4398 | 3 |
| MCFL 3359 | 3 | MCOM 4395 | 3 |
| MCOM 4371 (Writing Enhanced) | 3 | MCPD 4373 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
- 1
MCOM 1307 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).
- 2
MCOM 1330 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) as well as the Major.
- 3
MATH 1332 is the recommended math course for students in this program.
- 4
MCOM 1371 and MCOM 1130 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) as well as the Major.
- 5
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).
- 6
MCOM 2366 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area V (Creative Arts).
- 7
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).
- 8
See Prescribed Electives course listing below.
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 Media and Communication majors and minors must earn a grade of "C" or better in each Media and 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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Electives 8 | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | ||
| MCFL 3354 | Film History I | 3 |
| or MCFL 4375 | Screenwriting II | |
| MCFL 3355 | Film History II | 3 |
| MCFL 3356 | Select Film Genre | 3 |
| MCFL 4350 | Film Theory | 3 |
| MCPD 4377 | Multi-Cam Studio Production II | 3 |
| MCPD 4378 | Multi-Cam Field Production II | 3 |
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.
