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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

Program Courses
CNMA 101Introduction to Visual Storytelling3
CNMA 102Visual Aesthetics3
CNMA 104History of Cinema 1, 23
or CNMA 105 History of Television and Digital Media
CNMA 203Screenwriting I3
CNMA 240Production I: Directing in Narrative, Documentary and Short Form3
CNMA 245Production II: Media Lab3
CNMA 302Production Management3
CNMA 353The Power of Media2
CNMA 440Cinema and Media Arts Internship3
CNMA 456Senior Portfolio3
Total Credits29
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

Program Courses29
CNMA upper-division Electives6
Concentration Courses
CNMA 303Cinematography3
CNMA 358Motion Picture Pre-Production3
CNMA 359Motion Picture Production3
CNMA 460Cinematography and Lighting3
Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 174
Total Credits121
1

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Directing

Program Courses29
CNMA upper-division Electives6
Concentration Courses
CNMA 317Directing Techniques3
CNMA 358Motion Picture Pre-Production3
CNMA 359Motion Picture Production3
CNMA 465Directing for Short Form3
Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 174
Total Credits121
1

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Editing

Program Courses29
CNMA upper-division Electives6
Concentration Courses
CNMA 315Editing for Film and Television3
CNMA 358Motion Picture Pre-Production3
CNMA 359Motion Picture Production3
CNMA 464Advanced Editing for Film and Television3
Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 174
Total Credits121
1

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Production

Program Courses29
CNMA upper-division Electives 112
Concentration Courses
CNMA 358Motion Picture Pre-Production3
CNMA 359Motion Picture Production3
Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 274
Total Credits121
1

See CMA Department for Advising

2

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Sound Design

Program Courses29
CNMA upper-division Electives6
Concentration Courses
CNMA 307Sound Design3
CNMA 358Motion Picture Pre-Production3
CNMA 359Motion Picture Production3
CNMA 451Sound Mixing3
Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 174
Total Credits121
1

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Visual Effects and 3D Animation

Program Courses29
CNMA upper-division Electives6
Concentration Courses
CNMA 308Digital 3D Modeling3
CNMA 310Visual Effects and Motion Graphics3
CNMA 318Character Modeling and Animation3
CNMA 345Virtual Production Fundamentals3
Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 174
Total Credits121
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.

Program Courses
CNMA 101Introduction to Visual Storytelling3
CNMA 104History of Cinema3
or CNMA 105 History of Television and Digital Media
CNMA 203Screenwriting I3
CNMA 204Entertainment Business3
CNMA 302Production Management3
CNMA 382Film Financing3
CNMA 392Principles of Advertising3
CNMA 433Mass Media Law and Ethics3
CNMA 440Cinema and Media Arts Internship 13
CNMA 456Senior Portfolio3
Concentration Courses
CNMA 103Introduction to Digital Media Production3
CNMA 350Advanced Studies in Media Production1
or CNMA 450 Cinema and Media Arts Practicum
or CNMA 470 Cinema and Media Arts Seminar
CNMA 355Television Programming and Content Strategy3
CNMA 420Coverage and Development for Film and Television3
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 274
Total Credits120
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.

Program Courses
CNMA 101Introduction to Visual Storytelling3
CNMA 104History of Cinema3
or CNMA 105 History of Television and Digital Media
CNMA 204Entertainment Business3
CNMA 302Production Management3
CNMA 353The Power of Media2
CNMA 382Film Financing3
CNMA 392Principles of Advertising3
CNMA 433Mass Media Law and Ethics3
CNMA 440Cinema and Media Arts Internship 13
CNMA 456Senior Portfolio3
CNMA upper-division Electives4
Concentration Courses
CNMA 103Introduction to Digital Media Production3
CNMA 331Motion Picture Script Analysis3
CNMA 375Showrunning3
CNMA 449The Role of the Producer3
Program & Concentration Course Requirements: 45 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 274
General Electives1
Total Credits120
1

CNMA 440 must be taken for a total of 3 credits.

2

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

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