BA or BFA in Film, Television and Media Arts

BA or BFA

Film, Television and Media Arts

On Campus

On Campus

From directing a summer blockbuster to producing an Emmy Award-winning TV series, working in film and television requires a passion for storytelling.

Quinnipiac student operates a camera in the McMahon Center production room.

Oct 23

Undergraduate Open House

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Nov 1

Early Decision Application Deadline

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Nov 12

Undergraduate Open House

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Program Overview

Photo of professor Fritz Staudmyer introducing the view to the film program — Learn more about Quinnipiac’s approach to teaching all aspects of video production. You’ll learn the technical and narrative tools you need to write, edit and produce films professionally.

Your Experience

In the Film, Television and Media Arts (BA and BFA) programs, you'll combine storytelling skills with the ability to create compelling digital content for both the large and small screens.

From day one, you'll learn how to project your creative vision to a wide range of audiences. Coursework focuses on intensive hands-on training in all phases of digital media production and has you producing content for theatrical, television and web-based distribution.

The Film, Television and Media Arts programs are dedicated to the professional growth of artful storytellers and innovative content providers in an environment that combines theory and practice across all media production and distribution platforms. The programs demand that students become technically accomplished, aesthetically grounded and expressively mature. Coursework includes digital cinema and multi-camera television, audio, animation, visual effects, interactive media production and post-production, along with courses in moving image theory, analysis, film and television history, screenwriting and industry production practice culminating in senior projects.

Our Emmy® and other award-winning faculty are active in the profession as writers, producers, editors, cinematographers and directors, and they bring those experiences back to you in the classroom.

Coursework can be supplemented with a semester of study in Los Angeles in the QU in LA program, along with internship opportunities and field acquisition coursework in places as diverse as Ireland, France and South Africa.

If you’ve got a story to tell, we can help you bring it to the world.

Program Statistics

90 Spaces to Work

iMac media workstations online with our Ross video server.

100+ Video Cameras

The vast majority of our video cameras record in 4K cinema format.

87% Success Rate

Percentage of the 2021 graduates with a BA in Film, Television and Media Arts who are currently employed or pursuing an advanced degree.

Our Programs

Whether you’re looking for a more traditional approach to a liberal arts education, or you want to focus your goals on specific interests, we have the degree type that’s right for you. Learn more about the differences between the BA and BFA below.

Both programs initially follow the same course of study. Students are immersed in techniques of visual storytelling that demand expertise in single and multi-camera video production, and writing and producing for film, radio, television and the Internet. Because good media practice also requires a solid understanding of media history and theory, the curriculum is balanced with courses that explore the role and impact of mass media in society.

Formal coursework for both programs is taught on campus, both in Connecticut and in Los Angeles during the QU in LA program. Additionally we offer a number of international options for education abroad, which have in recent years included production coursework in Ireland; Nice, France; and in Cape Town and Kruger National Park, South Africa.

A separate application is required to enter the BFA program.

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The bachelor of arts (BA) program offers a broader perspective and is dedicated to a more traditional approach to a liberal arts education. With a 45-credit load in the core and FTM curriculum, the program explores a broad range of topics outside the major and requires an 18-credit minor.

The bachelor of fine arts (BFA) program delivers a more intensive approach to acquiring the kind of real-world knowledge that drives the industry today. With a 63-credit load in the core and FTM curriculum and no minor requirement, students take more classes in their chosen field and have a greater opportunity to explore areas of interest through an expanded choice of FTM electives in production practice, history and theory.

A separate application is required to enter the BFA program.

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A Day in the Life of a Communications Student

William Teare day in the life of a film, television and media arts major video — Are you interested in joining the media industry, and wondering what your first year in college may be like? Follow William Teare '24, a film, television, and media arts major, as he takes you through his day and shares how he is making the most of his time on campus to prepare for the industry, in this Quinnipiac Day In The Life video.

The Ed McMahon Communications Center

Our Ed McMahon Communications Center has the tools ready to help you realize your creative vision, no matter your abilities. Our collection of professional equipment and software includes:

Jimmy Jib Triangle Pro Crane
- Creates unique movements popular on sitcoms and dramas
- Used by networks on many live news and sporting events
HTC Vive virtual reality environment
Six 360 capable cameras for live and recorded 360 acquisition
DJI Mavic and spark drones for aerial and interior perspective shots
Sony 4K/IP video production switcher in our control room
Same switcher series as used in many network studios

Two students wearing headsets sit behind a large control board in the McMahon Center communications room — Our communications center houses a professional studio where you can write, produce and direct your own productions.

A film professor assists a student with shooting a scene behind a video camera — We have a full complement of audio equipment and lighting gear to create your individual or group projects.

Two students go over notes together as they sit in the control room of QU's television studio — Our professional television studio includes a 4K editing suite with more than 90 media workstations.

A full class in session in the Media Innovations Classroom with blue light fixtures — The Media Innovations Classroom gives students an opportunity to develop broadcast, print, mobile and interactive news content for campus media and other outlets.

A student lines up his film camera outside on the quad while another student holds a boom mic in the background — You’ll work on the latest industry standard software and equipment for design, film, sound and more.

Two cameras in the McMahon Center production room. — Tell your story in cinematic detail using our professional-grade 4K video cameras.

4K Hitachi camera in the McMahon Center production room. — Our technology is up to date with the latest industry standards to help you jump-start your learning and gain experience with professional equipment.

Creating Opportunities for Disabled Artists

Two girls looking at eachother standing in a school hallway. The one on the left has brown hair and headphones. The one on the right has long brown hair.

Film student's production company providing representation in film and television

Justin Janoson ’22 had an idea — an idea that developed during the silence and separation resulting from the pandemic and subsequent quarantine that would enable him and others like him to be better represented in the media.

Janoson has ADHD, and his twin sister has autism. Growing up not seeing much representation of disabilities in films and television, Janoson set out to change that.

During the first round of quarantine, Janoson came up with the idea for IndEP Media, a production company established to create opportunities for disabled artists. The I, E, and P are capitalized to represent IEP, an acronym for “Individualized Education Plan,” which is a special education plan laid out to help meet a student’s needs for success.

“I wanted to do something different where I can be able to see myself and give kids and adults comfort in that they’re not alone,” Janoson said.

Most recently, IndEP Media completed a pilot episode of a series Janoson hopes to pursue called “What’s The Rule?”

“What’s the Rule?” is a coming-of-age dramedy.

“Chapter 1” highlights the story of twins – Samantha (Sam) Schneider, who has ADHD, and Jaclyn (Jack) Schneider, who has autism, as they navigate their first day of school.

Janoson’s role in “What’s The Rule?” was vital – he not only played huge parts in the written aspect, but produced, directed and edited the entire first episode.

“I don’t see the world the same way as everybody else and it’s often challenging, especially being a creative who's neurodivergent, there’s so many different ideas that pop into my head but it’s so hard to find the strength to finish them,” Janoson said.

Read the full story on Quinnipiac Today