Ohio Wesleyan University

What you'll study

The Film programme at Ohio Wesleyan emphasises both production skills and film/media scholarship within a broad liberal‑arts curriculum. You will study the history and theory of cinema alongside practical courses in digital production, editing and screenwriting.

• Core modules: Introduction to Film, Film History, Film Theory and Criticism, Media and Culture.
• Production courses: Cinematography, Digital Video Production, Sound for Film, Nonfiction/Documentary Production, Advanced Production Workshop.
• Post‑production and writing: Editing and Post‑production Techniques, Screenwriting I & II, Storyboarding and Preproduction.
• Advanced and elective options: Topics in World Cinema, Genre Studies, Experimental Film, Media Law and Ethics, Special Topics in Film and Media.
• Capstone: Senior seminar or senior thesis/capstone project combining a significant creative project (short film, documentary, web series) with a contextual research paper or reflective portfolio.
• Practical learning: Opportunities for internships, collaborative student productions, festival submissions and access to campus production equipment and screening spaces.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a high school diploma or equivalent and present a strong overall secondary‑school record. Ohio Wesleyan seeks students who demonstrate academic preparation in writing and the humanities, as well as creative engagement outside the classroom.

• Submission of high school transcripts and secondary‑school record is required.
• A personal statement or creative cover letter explaining interest in film and any relevant experience is typically requested.
• Applicants with a production focus may be asked to submit a portfolio or samples of creative work (short films, scripts, video links, or related media), though exact requirements are provided by the department.
• Letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors who can speak to academic potential and creative promise are encouraged.
• International applicants must meet the university's English language proficiency requirements; exact tests and scores are listed by the admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Film programme leave with a mix of technical abilities, critical thinking and communication skills that are applicable to a wide range of careers in media and beyond. Typical career paths include roles in production, post‑production, writing, programming and media management.

• Film and video production: director, producer, cinematographer, camera operator.
• Post‑production and technical roles: editor, sound designer, colourist.
• Content creation and digital media: web series creator, multimedia producer, social media content strategist.
• Writing and criticism: screenwriter, critic, festival curator, programming assistant.
• Related fields: arts administration, education, marketing, public relations, and graduate study in film, media studies or related disciplines.

Why study at Ohio Wesleyan University

Ohio Wesleyan offers a close‑knit liberal‑arts environment with small class sizes and accessible faculty mentorship. The Film programme integrates practical facilities and equipment access with rigorous faculty‑led courses in film history and criticism, allowing students to develop a rounded skill set.

• Individualised mentorship from faculty who combine scholarly and practical filmmaking backgrounds.
• Hands‑on opportunities: student production projects, campus screening events and access to production gear and editing suites.
• Interdisciplinary approach that allows students to pair film studies with complementary majors or minors across the arts, communications and humanities.
• Support for internships and experiential learning in nearby cultural centres, and pathways to present work at regional festivals.
• Capstone and portfolio development that prepare students for professional entry or graduate study.