Learn the craft and business of creating original music for film, tv and more through hands-on practice.
The UCLA Extension Film Scoring Certificate program gives students the knowledge and skills needed to score cues for films, television shows and video games.
Learn the essential creative, business, and technical skills necessary for a successful film scoring career. Instruction emphasizes maximizing project budgets by composing music both electronically using MIDI and utilizing professional union musicians. By program end, participants will have composed and produced pieces suitable for their professional reels.
Duration: 1 year (Full-Time pace) to 3 years
Format: In-Person
Unit Requirement: 48
GPA Requirement: minimum 3.0 for certificate completion
This certificate is approved for international students to study full time in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.
International students must meet English language proficiency requirements for admission into the program.
While most certificate programs begin each quarter, some have limited intakes for students studying on F-1 visa. Find this program on the Browse Certificate Programs page to confirm entry quarters before applying.
Learn more:
Entertainment Studies Open Advising Sessions
Have your questions answered and meet fellow students.
I had a very clear idea of my goals when applying to the Film Scoring program at UCLA Extension, and I was able to get 100% of what I wanted and much more from the wonderful course offerings and knowledgeable instructors. Learning from leading Hollywood composers was the perfect preparation for jumpstarting my career.
Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.
Select 1 software course (4 units) from the list below. Students must be proficient in a digital audio workstation (DAW). If you are already proficient in a DAW such as Logic, Pro Tools, Digital Performer or Cubase, you may petition to waive this course requirement by emailing entertainmentstudies@uclaextension.edu.
Students who wish to take courses in the Film Scoring certificate program should have a basic musical background and should possess the following skills before beginning any coursework:
Film Scoring students must have access to a sequencing workstation in which audio can be recorded and synched to video (a sequencing workstation is software that combines audio and MIDI recording, editing, and a variety of other tools for working with music and sound on a computer).
Computer hardware and software is available at a discount for UCLA Extension certificate students at the UCLA Store. Speak to a program representative for more information.
All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.
The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.
An internship in the music industry can provide you with practical experience in a variety of job functions. Certificate students must complete a minimum of 12 units of program curriculum (3 courses) before completing the application for approval to enroll in an internship.
Named in honor of the late Oscar- and Emmy Award-winning film and television composer Jerry Goldsmith, the BMI/Jerry Goldsmith Film Scoring Scholarship is awarded annually to partially underwrite study in the UCLA Extension Film Scoring program.
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