Tell a compelling story that matters.
HCU’s Christian film school in Texas offers dynamic degrees in cinematic arts, digital media, and creative writing. These programs offer students the unique experience of a film school in Houston, along with internships, one-on-one instruction from skilled faculty, and the skills needed to work in any area of the film industry in Texas or abroad. Throughout our program, students actively create films, digital media, web series, animations, and more.
Collectively, these programs in the Department of Narrative Arts provide one of the most diverse film school experiences available today. In today’s filmmaking climate, technology changes at a rapid pace, and filmmakers have to remain educated on these advances. Students leave our program ready to begin their careers and excel in wide range of opportunities. We prepare our students for this by complementing traditional film studies with modern digital media exposure as well. This digital media foundation allows our filmmakers to also explore options with video production, streaming, and video game development, as well as traditional print media, marketing, and design.
Learn Filmmaking
Our students learn filmmaking from hands-on experiences and through guidance from our expert faculty. The comprehensive film school leaves each student with experience and a portfolio of work showcasing directing, lighting, cinematography and editing skills. We complement these activities and enhance students’ understanding through extensive study of film history. Our filmmaking courses include the study of cinematic classics and aesthetic training that builds an artistic foundation. Additionally, students learn screenwriting and storytelling skills and have the opportunity to showcase their work through a two-semester senior project that is supervised by mentoring faculty.
Resources for Filmmakers
Our Department of Narrative Arts provides film school students with several resources to assist in their filmmaking practice and careers. In addition to job placement, our program acclimates students to the Houston film community. Students are notified about film festivals in Houston, independent film opportunities, multimedia jobs, and supplemental film courses for continued education.
Degrees in Narrative Arts
Bachelor's Degrees
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Animation (BFA)
The Animation degree provides experience and training in 3D digital animation and traditional art and animation principles. Students learn principles of animation and cinematic theory, discipline-specific skills in a particular field of animation, and prepare to work professionally in animation and media-related industries. -
Cinematic Arts (BFA)
A Cinematic Arts undergraduate degree is meant for students who wish to use cinematography or media production in one of many vocational capacities. By studying the work of respected artists and learning from contemporary filmmakers and media producers, pupils hone their project creation, production and editing abilities. -
Creative Writing (BFA)
The Creative Writing degree includes basic courses in poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction writing, English, history, and foreign languages. Students also learn creative writing across multiple genres, skills in a particular genre of writing, and develop a professional portfolio for their required internship and a career in writing. -
Narrative Arts (BA)
The Narrative Arts degree includes classes in storytelling, communication theory, professional skills, and specialized courses in one of three narrative concentrations: Creative Writing, Cinema Production, Digital Media. Students learn narrative theory across multiple artistic mediums and discipline-specific narrative arts skills. -
Video Game Design (BFA)
The Video Game Design degree offers hands-on opportunities in computer game development, traditional art and design principles, narrative and game theory, and animation. Students learn video game theory and visual storytelling, discipline-specific skills in video game development, and professional skills for media-related industries.
Minors
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Cinema Production
The minor in Cinema Production includes courses in cinema history, cinematic core principles, media production, and other cinematic arts and narrative arts courses. This minor is a great complement to other degrees in the cinematic and narrative arts. -
Cinematic Arts
A Cinematic Arts undergraduate degree is meant for students who wish to use cinematography or media production in one of many vocational capacities. By studying the work of respected artists and learning from contemporary filmmakers and media producers, pupils hone their project creation, production and editing abilities. -
Creative Writing
The Creative Writing degree includes basic courses in poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction writing, English, history, and foreign languages. Students also learn creative writing across multiple genres, skills in a particular genre of writing, and develop a professional portfolio for their required internship and a career in writing. -
Digital Media
The minor in Digital Media includes courses in digital art foundations, 2D and 3D digital art and design, and other digital media and narrative arts courses. This minor is a great complement to other digital graphics and design majors.
Master's Degrees
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Cinematic Arts (MA)
This MA in Cinematic Arts is a remote-synchronous workshop-based program for cinematography and media production with a focus on screenwriting, cinema theory, and narrative media. Electives allow students to explore media studies, industry pitching and networking, film production, and integration seminars exploring faith and the arts. -
Creative Writing (MA)
The MA in Creative Writing is a remote-synchronous Christian-based program that studies canonical works of literature and specializes in poetry and fiction. Similar to the on-campus program, students engage in graduate-level creative work through writing workshops and one-on-one thesis instruction without the residential requirements. -
Creative Writing (MFA)
This is a Christian-based program with specialization in poetry and fiction. Students are equipped to produce and revise graduate-level creative work in writing workshops and one-on-one thesis instruction. Students acquire a theoretical and practical understanding of their disciplines through the study pf canonical works of literature. -
Screenwriting (MFA)
The MFA in Screenwriting prepares students to write professionally for film, television, and new media. It challenges students to develop a compelling cinematic voice and style and understand business realities within the industry. Students are introduced to related fields, including marketing, interactive media, and new technologies.