Film Studies, MA
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- build requisite skills for PhD-level study, including academic research and writing, public presentations, publishing, and grant applications;
- identify and apply concepts of film and media theory in scholarship as well as pedagogical practice;
- identify and apply methods of film historiography, including evaluating and working with archival materials;
- develop a broad understanding of the discipline’s history, current status, and potential future;
- acquire knowledge of cinema’s historical periods, global variations, and diverse forms; and
- acquire a diverse set of professionalization skills in order to explore film- and media-related career possibilities within and beyond academia.
The Master of Arts in film studies requires a minimum of 36 s.h. of graduate credit, of which 24 s.h. must be earned at the University of Iowa. Students must earn a minimum Graduate College program grade-point average of 3.25. A thesis is required.
Students meet formal degree requirements by taking 12 graduate-level courses that typically span two years. The program's focus is on advanced film theory and film history in an international context.
Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the two graduate courses offered by the Department of Cinematic Arts each semester, not including CINE:5500 and CINE:5900.
The MA in film studies requires the following coursework.
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 9 |
| Advanced Cinema Coursework | 15 |
| Research | 3 |
| Electives | 9 |
Core Courses
Both CINE:5673 and CINE:5675 must be taken on an A–F graded basis.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| CINE:5500 | Success in Graduate Studies | 3 |
| CINE:5673 | Advanced Film Theory | 3 |
| CINE:5675 | Advanced Film History | 3 |
Advanced Cinema Coursework
Advanced cinema coursework must be taken on an A–F graded basis. All of the courses are repeatable, but students must take at least two different courses for this requirement.
The enrollments in the following courses that count toward the advanced cinema coursework requirement are enrollments beyond what is required in the same courses for the core courses requirement; that is, students begin fulfilling the advanced cinema coursework requirement with the second enrollment in CINE:5673 or CINE:5675.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 15 s.h. from at least two of these: | ||
| CINE:5673 | Advanced Film Theory | 3 |
| CINE:5675 | Advanced Film History | 3 |
| CINE:7615 | Film Studies Seminar | 3 |
Research
Students complete 3 s.h. in CINE:5900 MA Thesis in Film Studies in their final semester. With advisor permission, students have the option to take an additional 3 s.h. of this course in the third semester as elective credit, for a maximum total of 6 s.h. of this course toward the degree.
Electives
Students complete 9 s.h. in elective courses. All electives must be taken on an A–F graded basis except for CINE:5500, CINE:5900, CINE:6992, CINE:7700, and CINE:7992. Elective courses are selected in consultation with an advisor.
Students may select elective coursework from cinema courses (prefix CINE) numbered 3000 or above but are strongly encouraged to earn elective credit through additional enrollments in advanced cinema courses as listed in the preceding section. Under certain circumstances, students may also be encouraged to enroll in CINE:4618 Topics in World Cinemas, CINE:4620 Topics in Film Form, Style, and Theory, or CINE:5900 MA Thesis in Film Studies.
Students may also select elective courses numbered 4000 or above from the following subjects. Additional courses not listed here may also count with permission from the program.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| American Studies (prefix AMST) | ||
| Art History (prefix ARTH) | ||
| Center for the Book (prefix UICB) | ||
| Chinese (prefix CHIN) | ||
| Communication Studies (prefix COMM) | ||
| Creative Nonfiction Writing (prefix CNW) | ||
| Creative Writing, Writers' Workshop (prefix CW) | ||
| English (prefix ENGL) | ||
| French (prefix FREN) | ||
| Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies (prefix GWSS) | ||
| German (prefix GRMN) | ||
| Graduate College (prefix GRAD) | ||
| History (prefix HIST) | ||
| Journalism and Mass Communication (prefix JMC) | ||
| Liberal Arts and Sciences Non-Departmental (prefix CLAS) | ||
| Library and Information Science (prefix SLIS) | ||
| Rhetoric (prefix RHET) | ||
| Spanish (prefix SPAN) | ||
| Theatre Arts (prefix THTR) | ||
| World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (prefix WLLC) | ||
Additional Requirements
Students are required to complete a written MA thesis produced in the second year (submitted and accepted by the graduate college) and successfully complete an oral final examination.
Under rare and very limited circumstances, a current student may petition the program for approval to switch to the non-thesis option of the MA in film studies, where a written examination would be required in lieu of the MA thesis. Direct admission to the non-thesis program is not permitted. The above course requirements would be the same for non-thesis students and an oral final examination would be required.
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.
A faculty committee chaired by the head of film studies evaluates applications to the MA program. Application materials should include undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts, a personal statement, a writing sample, three letters of recommendation, and samples of creative work when relevant. Admission decisions are based on the full range of an applicant's accomplishments and evidence that the applicant will fit the elements of the program and will thrive in the department.
Minimum admission requirements: Applicants should have a BA in film studies or a related discipline.
All applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website. Information about the application process is available on the Department of Cinematic Arts website and the Graduate Admissions website.
The Master of Arts degree typically prepares students for continued, advanced graduate work in film studies at the University of Iowa or elsewhere. However, students have used their MA training in film theory and history to seek careers in other areas, including film criticism, positions at film archives or film festivals, or within various facets of the film industry.
The Graduate College is prepared to help graduates explore careers related to or that build upon their training. In conjunction with the Graduate College, the Department of Cinematic Arts is also committed to helping graduate students explore a range of alternative careers that take advantage of their specific training. In addition, the Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Film Studies, MA
This sample plan is currently being reviewed and will be added at a later date.