Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video Studies
Bachelor of ArtsRandolph College
The Film and Video major prepares students to understand and harness the power of visual media to send messages, build communities, educate and advocate for change. The major includes the study of the history and theory of cinema and covers international cinemas, genres, authors, aspects of advanced theory, and cultural studies. Students engage in digital film and video production, writing, editing, and cinematography in both narrative fiction and documentary. The major fits into the liberal arts tradition through its recognition of the media’s role in all aspects of our daily lives.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | Throughout the history of America, the movies have acted as a powerful social, political, and economic force. In film studies, students have an opportunity to examine the cinema’s role in our culture and its development as both an art and a technology. In addition to regular courses in American Movies, World Cinema and Documentary History and Theory, other special topics courses are scheduled on a frequent basis. Outside of the media and culture department, courses are offered such as Faith and Film, Chinese Culture through Film, French Film, and Cinema and Masculinity. All of these courses encourage students to become more informed viewers and consumers of visual culture through close textual analysis and critical thinking. The film studies minor is firmly rooted in a liberal arts education, drawing upon multiple disciplines and helping students make connections between them. It augments any major at the college, as it encourages students to take an active role in understanding one of our society’s foremost means of communication. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
The film studies minor is housed in the media and culture department, but it is interdisciplinary, drawing upon film studies and filmmaking courses as well as courses from other departments.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | We live in a world that is saturated with visual imagery and messages. Knowing how to understand and evaluate these messages is crucial; knowing how to produce your own media is even more valuable. Studying filmmaking helps cultivate a variety of skills: Technical skills: Learn about the technical aspects of film and video production, such as script writing, shooting, lighting, editing, and sound design Creative skills: Harness your imagination and see your ideas come to life; learn to appreciate the beauty of cinematic language Analytical skills: Interpret visual texts and develop media literacy Intellectual skills: Develop independent thought, intellectual initiative, and research skills; deepen your knowledge of different media, geographical contexts, and historical periods Communication skills: Work with a team to come up with an idea and see it through to a final product; learn to listen to others and collaborate Leadership skills: Take the lead on a project and cultivate empathy, integrity, and decisiveness; learn to mentor others and develop self-awareness Problem-solving skills: Make decisions about how to use resources efficiently, build positive relationships with stakeholders and solve problems that arise |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Every student should develop some capability in a language, ancient or modern, other than her or his own. Fulfillment of this requirement may be accomplished in one of the following ways:
- Successful completion of two sessions of a single foreign language not previously studied; or
- Successful completion of two sessions of a single foreign language at the elementary or intermediate level in a language previously studied, depending on placement; or
- Successful completion of a course above the intermediate level; or
- Exemption based on a qualifying SAT II score, an Advanced Placement score of 4 or better, an International Baccalaureate score of 5 or better, or departmental examination. International students fluent in a language other than English may request an exemption from the Office of the Provost of the College. Other students fluent in a language other than English may apply to the Board of Review for exemption.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of the general education certificate or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will not guarantee completion of the general education component of the Randolph undergraduate curriculum. Courses will be evaluated individually upon transfer. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Completion of the general education certificate or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will not guarantee completion of the general education component of the Randolph undergraduate curriculum. Courses will be evaluated individually upon transfer. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Not Available |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | See the transfer application process;https://www.randolphcollege.edu/admission/apply/transfer-student/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Film Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Cinema, A.F.A. | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
George Mason University | Film and Video Studies, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Cinema, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-4031.00 | Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-4032.00 | Film and Video Editors | Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-2012.03 | Media Programming Directors | Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-2012.05 | Media Technical Directors/Managers | Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-2012.00 | Producers and Directors | Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-2012.04 | Talent Directors | Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
Cost To Complete
