Required courses give students a strong grounding in film history, verbal and visual narrative, and the critical terms and techniques used in both film and literary analysis. Electives give students the option of emphasizing either the creative approach or the critical approach to moving-image media, or a combination of the two.

The film studies option also affords students the opportunity to create video productions using state-of-the art digital video and editing equipment and the possibility of airing their productions on cable TV. Offered in cooperation with the College of Arts & Media, the film studies option can be completed entirely on the Auraria campus.