Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst

129 Herter Annex, 161 Presidents Drive, UMASS, Amherst MA 01003 Ph.(413) 545-3659

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN FILM STUDIES

Certificate Requirement Checklist (April 2009)

Applying to the Certificate Program:

1.  Submit completed Application form, personal statement, and current graduate transcript to the Graduate Program Coordinator, Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies, 129 Herter Annex, 161 Presidents Drive, UMass, Amherst, 01003. See the website www.umass.edu/film for application form and deadlines.

2.  Check your email for notification of whether or not you’ve been accepted.

After acceptance to the Certificate Program:

1.  Make an appointment with the Graduate Program Coordinator for an initial advising session.

2.  Each semester, make an appointment with the Graduate Program Coordinator for course advising and to report on your progress.

3.  Certificate coursework:

Film Theory:

1. ______(course/semester)

Courses outside your home department & college (2):

1. ______(course/semester)

2. ______(course/semester)

International / Intercultural courses

1.  ______(course/semester)

2.  ______(course/semester)

Note: courses may count towards multiple requirements simultaneously

Restrictions:

1.  No more than two (3-credit) independent study courses

2.  At least three (3-credit) graduate courses must be taken at UMass Amherst

3.  No more than 6 credits of approved course substitutions such as augmented upper-level Five College courses and graduate courses from outside institutions may be used. Students must appeal to the Graduate Film Certificate Program for any such substitutions.

4.  Upon completion of coursework, submit an updated copy of your transcript and a written statement to the Graduate Film Certificate Program demonstrating how your coursework constitutes an integrated, interdisciplinary film studies concentration. See www.umass.edu/film for form.

5.  If your comprehensive exams for your graduate degree program are related to the Graduate Certificate in Film Studies, submit a short statement to the Graduate Film Certificate Program explaining their relevance.

6.  During the preparation stage of your prospectus for your thesis / dissertation/ final project: seek approval from the Graduate Film Certificate Program by submitting a one-page abstract to the Program.

7.  After you have successfully defended your thesis /dissertation / final project prospectus, submit a copy of the completed signature page(s) to the Graduate Film Certificate Program.

To complete your Certificate Program:

  1. Upon filing of the completed film-oriented master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation with the Graduate School, you must submit to the Graduate Film Certificate Program a copy of the abstract, table of contents, and signatory pages.
  1. The Graduate Certificate in Film Studies will be awarded to you only upon completion of these requirements and by approval of the Graduate Film Certificate Program at the time you receive your terminal graduate degree.

N.B. This checklist is organized in roughly chronological order to complement most UMass Amherst graduate degree programs. If your degree program follows a different order or type of requirements, please see the Film Studies Graduate Program Coordinator.