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Film and Media Studies, B.A.

College of Arts and Sciences

Lights, camera, action! Our film and media studies program is perfect for students who have a passionate love of film, television or comics, and it may feel like a calling for them.

A film and media studies degree is a pathway to careers in film archiving, film and television production, as well as film and media journalism. Many FAMS students move on to graduate school in law or business or continue their studies from a top-tier graduate program, as they can turn their passion for film into a career.

Program Highlights

  • Film production slate icon.

    Cinematography Knowledge

    Learn all you need to know about the key characteristics of cinematography and editing.

  • Movie camera icon.

    Film Archive Internship

    Apply your skills through an internship at the Moving Image Research Collections, our university's film archive.

  • Comedy tradegy mask icon.

    Summer Study Away

    Head for Hollywood and receive firsthand experience at the big studios with our special summer study away program.

What You’ll Study

Some of our most popular courses in this program include American Television, Superheroes Across Media and even Quentin Tarantino's oeuvre. Unlike many other undergraduate programs in the U.S. and abroad, we offer both a comics studies specialization and a media industries pathway, so you can get an education that best suits your interests.

Program WebsiteDegree DetailsAdmissions Info

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Analytical Reasoning

    Breaking down complex problems or situations to identify patterns, connections and solutions

    Attention to Detail

    Being meticulous and thorough in all aspects of a task or project

    Cultural Awareness

    Learning about and respecting diverse cultures and beliefs

  • Examine Evidence

    Gathering and analyzing information for decision-making or problem-solving purposes

    Research

    Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

    Critical Thinking

    Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Learn how alumni use degrees with outcome data from Gamecock GradStats, a service of the University of South Carolina Career Center.

Potential Careers

  • Film and TV Archivist
  • Casting Director
  • Film and TV Accountant
  • Film and TV Journalist
  • Staff Writer
  • Film and Media Producer

Job Titles of Alumni

  • Director
  • Lead Editor
  • Studio Operations Technician
  • Freelance Filmmaker/Editor
  • Set Production Assistant

Average Alumni Salary

Five to 10 years after graduation without additional education $71,204

Workplace Settings

  • Film and TV Studios
  • Film and TV Production
  • TV Networks
  • Film Archives
  • Libraries
  • Universities

Employers of Alumni

  • Lucasfilm
  • New Line Cinema
  • OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network
  • Saturday Night Live
  • The Walt Disney Company

I wanted to learn as much as possible about all aspects of film. In this program, I was able to learn about acting, screenwriting, literary adaptation, cinematography and the business of film. This major perfectly encompassed all of my interests.

Elizabeth Smith
Portrait of Elizabeth Smith

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