The graduate certificate in film studies is ideal for aspiring scholars, teachers, researchers, and other film-related professionals. Academic institutions often seek candidates from traditional fields who can demonstrate pedagogical and scholarly strengths in film studies, and this certificate program responds to these intellectual and professional currents. The certificate can only be earned in conjunction with a film-focused master’s thesis, doctoral dissertation, or approved final project and terminal graduate degree in a UMass Amherst program. 

In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to study with internationally-renowned, award-winning faculty specialists in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. You’ll develop your knowledge and critical skills through film courses exploring diverse theoretical, thematic, historical, methodological, and international/intercultural examples and perspectives. The certificate requires 15 credits of approved graduate film courses, including one course in introductory film theory, at least two courses taken outside your degree-granting department and college, and at least two courses with an international and/or intercultural focus.