Cinema Studies Graduate Certificate
Expand your understanding of film as an art form, cultural force and professional tool. The Cinema Studies Graduate Certificate will nurture critical, creative, and communication skills needed to engage with today’s evolving media landscape. Take the next step toward building your future in cinema and storytelling.
Program Overview
The graduate certificate in cinema studies teaches students to study the aesthetics and history of cinema from a transnational, interdisciplinary perspective.
The curriculum trains students in the theory of film analysis and criticism and allows them to explore different cinematic cultures and traditions. Many disciplines such as English, history, world languages and cultures, sociology, religious studies, and political science, and of course art, employ visual media in teaching and research.
Mastering theories and methodologies of film and visual media analysis is a key skill for research and effective teaching.
Why Study Cinema Studies?
Our courses provide a wide variety of theoretical approaches to film that will help graduate students to conduct their own research and inquiries and to enhance their teaching. Whether expanding an existing degree, exploring a passion for cinema, or preparing for future opportunities in media and the arts, the certificate provides a flexible way to engage with one of the most influential forms of storytelling today.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Students have access to a range of professional-grade facilities in Walters Academic Building. The space, opened in 2025 especially for Cinema Studies students, includes animation labs, editing suites, a Green Screen Room, a Sound Editing Room, a Color Editing Room, and other resources to support student production.
World-Class Faculty
Our faculty members have been Pulitzer Prize and Oscar nominees, prizewinners at major film festivals—including Sundance—and awardees of numerous university teaching awards. Our world-class faculty are eager to share their knowledge and help you become a thriving, creative filmmaker.
What Can You Do with a Graduate Certificate in Cinema Studies After Graduation?
A certificate in Cinema Studies from UT opens up doors to a wide variety of creative possibilities.
The Cinema Studies Graduate Certificate at the University of Tennessee prepares students for diverse careers in film, media, and creative industries. Through the study of cinema as an art form and cultural practice, students build skills in visual analysis, storytelling, research, communication, and media literacy that support careers in film production, editing, writing, arts administration, media programming, marketing, education, and other creative fields.
Graduates gain the critical and creative foundation needed to engage with today’s evolving media landscape.
Featured Courses
ENGL 594 Film History, Form, and Analysis
This course covers issues in film studies: history of narrative film; concept of film form; critical approaches to film study (genre, auteur, formalist, and others); and critical analysis of individual films.
ARTC 436 Video Art
Students will continue the development of concepts and techniques for the creation of video works as an art form with an emphasis on individual projects.
ARTC 432 Advanced Time-Based Arts I
Students will engage in advanced study and development of concepts and techniques for the creation of time-arts works as an art form with an emphasis on individual projects.
WLC 482 Special Topics in Global Cinema
This course takes a focus from global perspectives on directors, stars, film genres, national and regional cinema movements, or other topics. Taught in English.
Looking For More Options?
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline.
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