Cinema and Media Studies (BA) at University of Southern California

Programme overview

A Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies granted by Dornsife in conjunction with the School of Cinematic Arts; major courses come from the Cinematic Arts curriculum.

Faculty: USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences / School of Cinematic Arts | Duration: 128 units | Study mode: full-time | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

128 units including 32 lower-division and 24 upper-division units in cinematic arts (maximum 40 upper-division SCA units count), with an honors track available from junior standing.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

USC first-year applicants (most majors): apply through the Common Application with transcripts and a letter of recommendation; official test scores are optional; fall grades are submitted when available. Deadlines: Early Decision and Early Action November 1, Regular Decision January 10 (performing arts majors December 1). Applicants to this school also complete additional departmental application requirements by the stated deadlines.

Requirements published at faculty level.

USD 75,384 a year (2026-27). Estimated undergraduate tuition for two semesters (12-18 units per semester), the USC rate for full-time undergraduates; excludes fees ($1,952), housing, food, books and the $450 new student fee. The same tuition applies to in-state and out-of-state resid Source

First-year students enter in the fall semester; applicants can apply Early Decision (binding), Early Action or Regular Decision.

First-year deadlines for 2027 entry: Early Decision (most majors) November 1; Early Action (most majors) November 1; Regular Decision for performing arts majors (Dance, Dramatic Arts, Thornton Music) December 1; Regular Decision for most majors January 10. Early Decision applicants are notified by mid-December, Early Action in late January and Regular Decision by April 1.

Applications are made through the Common Application; the undergraduate application fee is $85 for all applicants, with fee waivers available except to international students. SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional); USC school code is SAT 4852 and ACT 0470.

Transfer applications for 2027-28: December 1, 2026 for selected programmes and February 15, 2027 for all other majors; SAT/ACT scores are not required for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.usc.edu/

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