Courses | B.A. in Cinema and Media Arts
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.
Admission Requirements
The entertainment industry is a highly competitive, creative and demanding business. Admission into the School of Cinema & Media Arts (CMA) is separate from and contingent upon your admission to Biola University. Admission to Biola University does not guarantee admission into the Cinema and Media Arts major. Applications will not be considered until after the applicant has been first admitted to Biola University.
After you have completed your application to Biola University, complete your application online by the appropriate deadline indicated on the website.
Prior media experience is not a prerequisite for admission into the School of Cinema & Media Arts. During the application process we’re more interested in discovering your potential, leadership ability, creative thinking, problem solving and Christian character. Department faculty prayerfully review all applications. Notification letters will be sent out by the deadlines listed in the schedule. You will be notified of your acceptance, of non-acceptance, or if more information is required.
If you have any questions about the status of your application, please call the CMA office at (562) 777-4052 or write to:
Acceptance Committee
School of Cinema & Media Arts
Biola University
13800 Biola Avenue
La Mirada, CA 90639
CMA students may be required to purchase computer equipment and/or software as may be applicable for their respective degrees. While we understand the financial strains of such equipment expenditures, we also recognize that these technologically driven majors involve costs well beyond the textbooks that serve as the essential tools for many other undergraduate departments. Contact the department for specific equipment recommendations.
General Requirements
All Cinema and Media Arts majors must achieve a minimum grade of "C" in all major courses taken at Biola. Anyone receiving a lower grade must repeat the course and receive a "C" or better.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| CNMA 101 | Introduction to Visual Storytelling | 3 |
| CNMA 102 | Visual Aesthetics | 3 |
| CNMA 104 | History of Cinema 1, 2 | 3 |
| or CNMA 105 | History of Television and Digital Media | |
| CNMA 203 | Screenwriting I | 3 |
| CNMA 240 | Production I: Directing in Narrative, Documentary and Short Form | 3 |
| CNMA 245 | Production II: Media Lab | 3 |
| CNMA 302 | Production Management | 3 |
| CNMA 353 | The Power of Media | 2 |
| CNMA 440 | Cinema and Media Arts Internship | 3 |
| CNMA 456 | Senior Portfolio | 3 |
| Total Credits | 29 | |
- 1
In the Sound Design concentration only, students may take CNMA 314 in place of CNMA 104 or CNMA 105.
- 2
In the Visual Effects and 3D Animation concentration only, students may take CNMA 140 in place of CNMA 104 or CNMA 105.
Concentrations
The production concentrations below offer students a thorough grounding in, and overview of, the key creative components of film, television, audio and digital media. Students are encouraged to develop their creative and technical skills, training for positions as directors, cinematographers, gaffers, editors, sound designers, recording engineers, production designers and many others.
All production concentrations generally take the same courses during the first two years and then developing a comprehensive specialization in a profession in the last two years of study. The production concentrations are cinematography, directing, editing, production, sound design, and visual effects. While the focus is professional, it is combined with a strong liberal arts background through Biola’s core curriculum and courses from other schools' programs in critical studies, writing, producing, and interactive media.
Cinematography
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 29 | |
| CNMA upper-division Electives | 6 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| CNMA 303 | Cinematography | 3 |
| CNMA 358 | Motion Picture Pre-Production | 3 |
| CNMA 359 | Motion Picture Production | 3 |
| CNMA 460 | Cinematography and Lighting | 3 |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 74 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
- 1
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Directing
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 29 | |
| CNMA upper-division Electives | 6 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| CNMA 317 | Directing Techniques | 3 |
| CNMA 358 | Motion Picture Pre-Production | 3 |
| CNMA 359 | Motion Picture Production | 3 |
| CNMA 465 | Directing for Short Form | 3 |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 74 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
- 1
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Editing
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 29 | |
| CNMA upper-division Electives | 6 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| CNMA 315 | Editing for Film and Television | 3 |
| CNMA 358 | Motion Picture Pre-Production | 3 |
| CNMA 359 | Motion Picture Production | 3 |
| CNMA 464 | Advanced Editing for Film and Television | 3 |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 74 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
- 1
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Production
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 29 | |
| CNMA upper-division Electives 1 | 12 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| CNMA 358 | Motion Picture Pre-Production | 3 |
| CNMA 359 | Motion Picture Production | 3 |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 2 | 74 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
- 1
See CMA Department for Advising
- 2
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Sound Design
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 29 | |
| CNMA upper-division Electives | 6 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| CNMA 307 | Sound Design | 3 |
| CNMA 358 | Motion Picture Pre-Production | 3 |
| CNMA 359 | Motion Picture Production | 3 |
| CNMA 451 | Sound Mixing | 3 |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 74 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
- 1
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Visual Effects and 3D Animation
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 29 | |
| CNMA upper-division Electives | 6 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| CNMA 308 | Digital 3D Modeling | 3 |
| CNMA 310 | Visual Effects and Motion Graphics | 3 |
| CNMA 318 | Character Modeling and Animation | 3 |
| CNMA 345 | Virtual Production Fundamentals | 3 |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 74 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
- 1
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Entertainment Business
The Entertainment Business concentration is designed to prepare students for careers as producers and executives of film, television, and new media. The curriculum places emphasis on both the creative and managerial, to enhance and develop artistic skills and judgment while providing a sound background in business essentials. The producing courses are continually updated to ensure that the Entertainment Business concentration remains responsive to the ever-changing film, television, and new media landscape, and prepare students for careers as creative decision-makers in those fields. By combining classes in mass media and business, students are equipped to serve as producers or as development and marketing executives, en route to corporate management.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| CNMA 101 | Introduction to Visual Storytelling | 3 |
| CNMA 104 | History of Cinema | 3 |
| or CNMA 105 | History of Television and Digital Media | |
| CNMA 203 | Screenwriting I | 3 |
| CNMA 204 | Entertainment Business | 3 |
| CNMA 302 | Production Management | 3 |
| CNMA 382 | Film Financing | 3 |
| CNMA 392 | Principles of Advertising | 3 |
| CNMA 433 | Mass Media Law and Ethics | 3 |
| CNMA 440 | Cinema and Media Arts Internship 1 | 3 |
| CNMA 456 | Senior Portfolio | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| CNMA 103 | Introduction to Digital Media Production | 3 |
| CNMA 350 | Advanced Studies in Media Production | 1 |
| or CNMA 450 | Cinema and Media Arts Practicum | |
| or CNMA 470 | Cinema and Media Arts Seminar | |
| CNMA 355 | Television Programming and Content Strategy | 3 |
| CNMA 420 | Coverage and Development for Film and Television | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Global Marketing Management | ||
| Entrepreneurship and New Venture Formation | ||
| Financing the Entrepreneurial Venture | ||
| The Role of the Producer | ||
| Program & Concentration Course Requirements: 46 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 2 | 74 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
CNMA 440 must be taken for a total of 3 credits.
- 2
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Entertainment Producing
The Entertainment Producing concentration introduces students to the business principles that drive the entertainment industry. Media managers make strategic decisions regarding what films get produced and what TV shows get broadcast. By combining classes in mass media and business, students are equipped to serve as producers or development and marketing executives, en route to corporate management.
Because producers are creative and entrepreneurial filmmakers, the required courses in the Entertainment Producing concentration is varied from courses in Cinema and Business. A total of 45 credits is required to complete the concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| CNMA 101 | Introduction to Visual Storytelling | 3 |
| CNMA 104 | History of Cinema | 3 |
| or CNMA 105 | History of Television and Digital Media | |
| CNMA 204 | Entertainment Business | 3 |
| CNMA 302 | Production Management | 3 |
| CNMA 353 | The Power of Media | 2 |
| CNMA 382 | Film Financing | 3 |
| CNMA 392 | Principles of Advertising | 3 |
| CNMA 433 | Mass Media Law and Ethics | 3 |
| CNMA 440 | Cinema and Media Arts Internship 1 | 3 |
| CNMA 456 | Senior Portfolio | 3 |
| CNMA upper-division Electives | 4 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| CNMA 103 | Introduction to Digital Media Production | 3 |
| CNMA 331 | Motion Picture Script Analysis | 3 |
| CNMA 375 | Showrunning | 3 |
| CNMA 449 | The Role of the Producer | 3 |
| Program & Concentration Course Requirements: 45 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 2 | 74 | |
| General Electives | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
CNMA 440 must be taken for a total of 3 credits.
- 2
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.