Master of Arts in Cinema Studies

Our M.A. program prizes the rich diversity of cinematic expression whether critical examination of mainstream media production or independent or foreign filmmaking, experimental works or new media interventions including video installation the faculty strives to broaden our students experience. Much of this takes place in the context of coursework where faculty members bring their own diverse research, theoretical and cinematic interests to bear, but also in extracurricular encounters visiting filmmakers or scholars, community events (e.g., film festivals), largely profiting from the virtue of our city, San Francisco.
The M.A. in Cinema Studies at SF State offers students the opportunity to pursue graduate research in cinema and media scholarship. We believe that cinema refers to all moving image media, from early films to emerging digital media forms.

The M.A. program emphasizes not only the study of cinema history, theory and criticism, but of all cinematic media and the theories related to them. The curriculum allows students considerable freedom to choose among a wide variety of course offerings, building toward producing a thesis that emphasizes focused research on a specific topic related to their interests.

To meet the minimum eligibility standards for graduate study at San Francisco State, an applicant must:
1.Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authority,
2.be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended,
3.Have a 3.0 GPA or better in their earned undergraduate degree or the last 60-semester (90-quarter) units completed, or have earned a post-baccalaureate degree, and

4.Meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards for graduate study, including qualifying examinations, as appropriate campus authorities may prescribe. In unusual circumstances, a campus may make exceptions to these criteria. CV/Resume
A one to two-page resume or Curriculum Vitae summarizing the applicant's education, awards or recognition, work experience, languages, and special skills.
Personal Statement
Background and Research Interests Statement (four double-spaced pages maximum). Applicants should describe how their past academic work or other experience has prepared them for graduate work and discuss how they plan to develop these (or other) research interests as a graduate student in the M.A. in Cinema Studies program.
Unofficial Transcripts
The Division of Graduate Studies requires you to upload unofficial copies of transcripts from every college or university attended, including study abroad coursework and community college coursework even if transfer credit appears on your degree transcript.
IELTS - 6.5, TOEFL IBT-80, PBT-550, PTE- 59