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EnglishWhat Is the Business of Cinematic Arts Program at USC?
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The Business of Cinematic Arts Program is a four-year undergraduate offering jointly run by the USC School of Cinematic Arts and the USC Marshall School of Business. Students complete coursework in both schools and, upon successful completion of all program requirements, receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Cinematic Arts. It suits applicants who want a business degree grounded in film, television, games, and interactive media rather than a production-focused BFA or a standalone business degree.
Who runs it and what you earn
The program is listed on cinema.usc.edu as "The John H. Mitchell Business of Cinematic Arts Program." The site describes it as a unique opportunity for students to complete coursework in both the School of Cinematic Arts and the Marshall School of Business. The credential is a B.S. in Business Administration from Marshall, with the cinematic arts emphasis layered on top.
That structure matters for how you read the degree: the core is business administration, and the cinematic arts component is the specialization, not the reverse.
How the two-school structure works
Because the program spans two schools, your curriculum is split between Marshall's business requirements and cinematic arts coursework. The site does not publish a semester-by-semester course map, so the practical way to see the actual balance is to check the program's "How to Apply" and admissions pages for curriculum details and requirements.
A useful way to think about fit: if you want to produce, direct, write, or animate, the site's other divisions (Film & Television Production, Writing for Screen & Television, Animation + Digital Arts) are the direct paths. If you want to work on the business side — development, distribution, studio or streamer strategy, producing economics — this program is the one that pairs that interest with a Marshall business degree.
What else lives under Cinematic Arts, for comparison
The school's program list is broad, and comparing it side by side helps clarify what the Business of Cinematic Arts Program is and isn't:
| Program | Focus | Credential noted on site |
|---|---|---|
| Business of Cinematic Arts (John H. Mitchell) | Business + cinematic arts, jointly with Marshall | B.S. in Business Administration, emphasis in Cinematic Arts |
| Expanded Animation Research + Practice | Animation from an artist's/director's point of view, experimentation and research | MFA curriculum |
| Cinematic Arts Online | Script writing or directing a short film, for storytellers of all ages | Certificate of Completion |
| Summer Program | Six-week sessions taught by industry professionals: filmmaking, editing, animation, writing, computer graphics, game design, business | Non-degree |
| Writing for Screen & Television (John Wells) | Writing | Division program |
| Peter Stark Producing Program | Producing | Program |
Two distinctions are worth flagging. First, the Business of Cinematic Arts Program is an undergraduate degree, while Expanded Animation is an MFA track — they aren't alternatives at the same level. Second, Cinematic Arts Online and the Summer Program are short-form, non-degree options; they're a way to test interest in the field, not a substitute for the four-year business degree.
What the site does and doesn't tell you
The page evidence confirms the joint-school structure, the four-year length, and the exact degree name. It does not publish tuition, admission statistics, application deadlines, or a detailed curriculum. Those details should come from the program's own admissions pages and Marshall's undergraduate admissions information rather than from assumptions.
How to decide if it's for you
- Choose it if you want a business administration degree and intend to work in media, entertainment, or adjacent creative industries, and you're ready to meet requirements in two schools.
- Look elsewhere if your goal is hands-on craft training in production, writing, or animation — the school's division programs are built for that.
- Use Cinematic Arts Online or the Summer Program first if you're unsure about the field and want a lower-commitment way to find out before applying to a four-year program.
To move forward, start with the program's "How to Apply" link on cinema.usc.edu and confirm current requirements, deadlines, and curriculum directly with the School of Cinematic Arts and Marshall.