Internships
- Capital Community Media
- City of Salem
- Entertainment Industries Council
- Embassy of Japan
- Jerry Bruckheimer Films Inc
- JPX Market Innovation & Research
- Stubhub
- Toboggan Inc.
- VanNatta Public Relations, Inc.
- We Got Power Films
Program Snapshot
- Degree Type
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Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts
- Program Type
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Major, Minor
- Credit Hours
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124
- Time to complete
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4 Years
- Campus
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Salem
Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
Curious where this major can take you? These are the real internships, graduate opportunities, and careers our Cinema Studies students have gone on to.
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Graduate School Destinations & Employment Outcomes
- Active Brands AS
- AOI Pro. GLOBAL
- Bournemouth University
- Capital One
- Crash Productions
- Mount Saint Mary's University
- One Reel
- Pixelogic Media
- Salem Art Association
- University of Hawai'i at Manoa
- Walt Disney Company
- Willamette University
- ZOO Digital Group
Alumni Stories
Our alumni have submitted works at many film festivals. They've also worked in a variety of companies, industries, and roles. Learn more about how our alumni have applied their knowledge of film, arts, and sciences into their career paths.
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Henry Veitenhans ’22
Capturing the ultimate race at sea
Henry Veitenhans ’22, the youngest captain in the Race to Alaska, led his team through a treacherous 750-mile journey from Port Townsend, Washington, to Ketchikan, Alaska, using a handmade sailboat and documenting the adventure for a film project.
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Denise Diaz ‘19
Cinema Studies background propels Diaz to a film producer role in Los Angeles
Denise Diaz '19 uses her Cinema Studies background and M.F.A. to thrive as a Film Producer in Los Angeles, focusing on projects that highlight Latinx and minority voices.
Introducing Some of Our Faculty
Our professors cover a variety of topics and subjects within film and media. With smaller class sizes, students develop a close, one-on-one connection with faculty members. Experience mentorship and learn about relevant industry trends within cinema.
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Meet Professor Clark
Jeanne Clark Professor and Chair of Cinema Studies at Willamette University, and a published author. An accomplished educator, she nurtures a passion for cinema within her students.
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Meet Professor Wen
Huike Wen focuses her teaching and research on civic communication and media studies, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of media. She is passionate about lifelong learning and fostering an inclusive community.
Curriculum
Take classes related to production, theory, cinema and society, and national and transnational cinema. We also provide a hands-on learning through the Senior Project or internships. As a liberal arts college, we encourage students to take classes from other academic fields as well.
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CINE 110 Introduction to Cinema Studies
Discover the critical elements of cinema, including image construction, editing, sound, and narrative strategies. Learn how industry changes affect filmmaking while developing skills to analyze and critique cinema's role in culture and society.
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CINE 499 Senior Project
Explore topics like American film, creative writing, television studies, or Italian cinema. Develop a senior thesis or approved cinema studies project through group seminars and independent work to showcase your knowledge.
Program Requirements
Our Cinema Studies major requires 36 semester hours to complete the major, with a total of 124 credit hours required to complete the degree. At least 12 semester hours in addition to the senior project must be at the 300 level or above.
Students pursuing a Cinema Studies minor will need to complete 20 semester hours in cinema studies. At least two of the classes must be at the 300 level or above.
Admissions Information
Our Cinema Studies program is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Willamette University is committed to supporting Cinema Studies majors with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. There is no separate application required for these scholarships. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, starting at $28,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.
