Admissions
To major in Film and Media Arts, students must first gain admission to the University, then complete additional requirements specific to the B.A. and B.F.A. degrees prior to declaring the major.
Please be sure to indicate the significant amount of time engaged in film activities on the Extracurricular Resume and Application which you submit to the Office of Admission as part of the application checklist.
B.F.A. Admission
To be provisionally accepted to the B.F.A. in Film and Media Arts prior to matriculation at SMU, a student must submit a portfolio of film/video work, which will be reviewed by a faculty committee to determine acceptance into the B.F.A. program. Note that admission into the B.F.A. is selective and not all applicants may be accepted.
The deadline for students already enrolled at SMU to apply to transfer into the BFA is October 12, 2012; for Early Action Applicants the deadline is December 1, 2012 and for Regular Decision Applicants the deadline is February 8, 2013. Applications are accepted through Slideroom, an online portal available here
Upon matriculation, a pre-admitted student must complete FILM 1304 (Production 1) and FILM 2354 (Screenwriting 1) with a cumulative 2.75 or better GPA in order to be fully admitted into the B.F.A. To be considered for acceptance into the B.F.A. program while in attendance at SMU, students must have completed FILM 1304 and FILM 2354 with a cumulative 2.75 or better GPA, and submit a portfolio. Students transferring from other universities must submit a portfolio, and must have completed equivalent courses to FILM 1304 and FILM 2354 and obtained the equivalent GPA in those courses before they can be considered for admission to the major. Upon acceptance into the B.F.A., students are required to pass FILM 1301 with a grade of C- or better to receive their degree.
B.A. Admission
Admission to the B.A. in Film & Media Arts does NOT require submission of a portfolio. Instead, a student must complete FILM 1301 (Art of Film & Media) and FILM 1302 (Media & Culture) with a cumulative 2.75 or better GPA. Students transferring from other universities must have completed equivalent courses and obtained the equivalent GPA in those courses before they can be admitted to the major. Upon acceptance into the major, students are required to pass the following courses with a grade of C- or better to receive their degree: FILM 1304 and FILM 2351.
Portfolio Process
Prospective undergraduates interested in declaring as a Film and Media Arts B.F.A. pre-major in their first semester are required to submit a portfolio of work to supplement their SMU application. This portfolio can consist of a variety of media, but must include at least one film/video sample in which you were a primary creative voice (such as writer or director). Media can include short scripts, visual projects such as short films/videos or photography, film stills, or samples of editing, audio animation, or motion graphics in which you contributed the bulk of the creative work. Portfolios should be submitted through our online portal, but we suggest that large video files be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo and linked to the submission forms in our online portal. For all works submitted, please indicate (either in the video credits or on your application) your specific role(s) on the piece.
Pre-majors are guaranteed enrollment in FILM 1301 and FILM 1302, and are assigned a Film and Media Arts advisor.
Portfolio Deadlines
(note portfolios are ONLY required for students interested in the B.F.A.; the B.A. does not require a portfolio)
Students already enrolled at SMU — October 12, 2012
Early Action Applicants — December 1, 2012
Regular Decision Applicants — February 8, 2013
Transfer Applicants — April 1, 2013
Contact the Division of Film and Media Arts at 214-768-2129 or email film@smu.edu. If you prefer to mail your submission, you must complete the online submission form in addition to mailing your DVD. Please send submissions to:
Erica Anderson
Administrator
Division of Film and Media Arts
Meadows School of the Arts
Southern Methodist University
214.768.2129
238 Umphrey Lee Building
PO Box 750113
Dallas, TX 75265-0113
Testing Process
By submitting a portfolio, candidates also have the option to attempt to test out of FILM 1304: Production 1, the introductory production course required for both the B.A. and B.F.A. in Film & Media Arts. Only applicants with considerable production experience and technical expertise should apply.
Testing out of this course will entail both a written exam and a hands-on practicum to show the student’s technical competency. Students must receive a B or better on each of these exams to successfully test out of Production 1. Testing occurs on specific dates, and students who desire to test out of this course will be informed via email on how to schedule taking the exam.
For information on testing out, contact the Division of Film and Media Arts at 214-768-2129 or email film@smu.edu.