Frequently Asked Questions
Download a printable FAQ click here
What Programs does Pittsburgh Filmmakers offer?
What is required to apply for admission to Pittsburgh Filmmakers?
How many and how long are the semesters?
How long will it take to complete a Certificate Program?
What is an "independent" student?
Is tuition all I have to pay?
Is financial aid available? Are scholarships offered?
Is housing available?
Does Pittsburgh Filmmakers have a job placement program?
Does a Certificate Program have to be taken for college
credit?
What is the difference between taking a course non-credit
or credit transcript?
Does Pittsburgh Filmmakers grant degrees?
What is Pittsburgh Filmmakers' tuition rate for transferable
college credit?
How do I register for classes at Pittsburgh Filmmakers
if I am enrolled at a nearby university?
May foreign students take classes?
- Q: What Programs does Pittsburgh Filmmakers offer?
- Q: What is required to apply for admission to Pittsburgh Filmmakers?
- Q: How many and how long are the semesters?
- Q: How long will it take to complete a Certificate Program?
- Q: What is an "independent" student?
- Q: Is tuition all I have to pay?
- Q: Is financial aid available? Are scholarships offered?
- Q: Is housing available?
- Q: Does Pittsburgh Filmmakers have a job placement program?
- Q: Does a Certificate Program have to be taken for college credit?
- Q: What is the difference between taking a course non-credit or credit transcript?
- Q: Does Pittsburgh Filmmakers grant degrees?
- University of Pittsburgh
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Point Park University
- La Roche College
- Duquesne University
- Robert Morris University
- Carlow University
- Seton Hill University.
- Q: What is Pittsburgh Filmmakers' tuition rate for transferable college credit?
- Q: How do I register for classes at Pittsburgh Filmmakers if I am enrolled at a nearby university?
- Q: May foreign students take classes?
A: Our curriculum consists of over 75 courses in the media arts. The major areas of study are our Certificate Programs: Film Production, Photography, and Digital Video. Both film and video programs include digital post-production; photography teaches both traditional and digital techniques.
A: The only requirement for entry level classes is a high school diploma or GED. A high school senior may petition for admittance (please contact the Registrar for details).
A: There are three semesters per year. Fall and Winter/Spring semesters run for 14 weeks, September to December and January to April; Summer semesters run for 12 weeks.
A: A Certificate Program will take a minimum of six semesters to complete, depending on a student’s available time and resources. Completion of each Program requires a minimum of 12 courses, but there are no time constraints or minimum number of courses to be taken in any one semester. A student may take classes at his/her own pace.
A: An independent student is any student who registers for classes directly with Pittsburgh Filmmakers and either pays his/her own tuition and fees or is paid for by an approved third party (please contact the Registrar for details).
A: There are also course fees attached to the majority of courses to cover in- class equipment use, materials, chemicals, facilities and rentals. In addition, a student must be prepared to pay for textbooks and other materials and processing charges not covered by course fees. Please note that tuition and course fees are subject to change.
A: Pittsburgh Filmmakers does not participate in Title IV financial aid programs, nor do we offer scholarships at this time.
A: Independent students must research local areas for housing possibilities. We can supply a list of realtors and management companies.
A: No, however, the curriculum includes internships that may be taken by advanced students either for credit through their home school or on a non-credit basis. Internships are valuable both in terms of gaining experience and in making contacts in the local arts community. (For specific information, please contact the Internship Coordinator.) We also post artist opportunities on our bulletin board.
A: No, these Programs may be taken on either a non-credit or “credit transcript” basis; most independent students opt for non-credit. Certificate Program students enrolled in college generally complete the Program with a mix of non-credit classes taken independently and for- credit classes taken through their home school.
A: There is no difference in the content of the course whether taken for transferable credit or on a non-credit basis. Courses taken on a non-credit basis are not acceptable for transfer to a post-secondary institution. (A student may decide to change the status of his/her courses from non-credit to credit transcript at a later date by paying additional fees.)
A: No, we are not a degree-granting institution. The courses taught at Pittsburgh Filmmakers may be applied toward a degree if the student is registered in a participating college or university program, or, if taken on a credit transcript basis, as transfer credit to a non-participating school. Local universities participating with Pittsburgh Filmmakers include:
A: The cost is currently $910.00 for a 3 Credit / 42 classroom-hour course.
A: A student attending a participating institution (see question #12) registers for classes at their home school. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the appropriate personnel at their school to assure proper registration – please contact Pittsburgh Filmmakers’ Registrar to obtain contact information for your school.
A: Students who reside outside the United States may study at Pittsburgh Filmmakers; however, we are not able to assist such students in acquiring a student visa.
UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE CREDIT
For over 30 years, Pittsburgh Filmmakers has built a unique coalition of colleges, universities and independent students and artists.
Classes at Pittsburgh Filmmakers' School of Film, Photography and Digital Media typically include students enrolled at several of the colleges or universities we collaborate with as well as Independent (both non-credit and "credit-transcript") students. Students may register for Filmmakers' courses through the following colleges and universities:
Enrollment and degree requirements vary for each school. Please contact your home institution to find out more about the requirements of your particular program.
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY students may enroll in Pittsburgh Filmmakers' courses for elective credit. Some Pittsburgh Filmmakers course offerings fulfill a requirement for a Film Minor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Pittsburgh Filmmakers classes are open to CMU students, university-wide. All students must register through the College of Fine Arts.
Office of Admission
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 268-2082
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH students who are majoring in Film Studies take Pittsburgh Filmmakers' classes to fulfill some of their degree requirements. Course offerings are open to all University of Pittsburgh College of Arts and Sciences students for elective credit as available. Students must register through the Film Studies Program office. College of General Studies majors in the Bachelor of Arts in Media and Professional Communications, Digital Media Specialization, may register through CGS. Pittsburgh Filmmakers and the University of Pittsburgh have offered classes cooperatively since 1972.
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
University of Pittsburgh
4227 Fifth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624-7488
POINT PARK UNIVERSITY offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography and a BA in Film/Video production, in collaboration with Pittsburgh Filmmakers. Students take their academic courses at Point Park College and their video/photography requirements at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. The Photography major was established in 2000. Both institutions work together closely to ensure students a meaningful and challenging educational experience.
Admissions Department
Point Park University
201 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 392-3430
DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY students register for elective credit through the McAnulty College of Liberal Arts. Students in the Film Studies concentration in the English Department register through the English Department.
McAnulty College of Liberal Arts
Duquesne University
212 College Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
(412) 396-6389
CARLOW INIVERSITY students take classes at Pittsburgh Filmmakers through the Communication Department.
Communication Department
Carlow University
3333 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 578-6183
LAROCHE COLLEGE students register for classes at Pittsburgh Filmmakers through the Departments of Graphics, Design & Communication, and Communication, Media & Technology.
Department of Graphics, Design & Communication
LaRoche College
9000 Babcock Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
(412) 536-1026
ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY students may register through the School of Communications and Information Systems, and the Academic Media Center.
School of Communications & Information Systems
Robert Morris University
Narrows Run Road
Moon Township, PA 15108
(412) 262-8376
SETON HILL UNIVERSITY students may register through the Division of Visual & Performing Arts.
Division of Visual & Performing Arts
Seton Hill University
Seton Hill Drive
Greensburg, PA 15601
(724) 834-4343