Digital Filmmaking A.S.

School: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Academic Dept: Film
HEGIS: 5606

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2025 to Summer 2026. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Program Description

The Digital Filmmaking A.S. program at SUNY Westchester Community College offers students a comprehensive foundation in cinematic storytelling, film production and post-production. This program is designed for students planning to transfer to a four-year BA or BFA program, equipping them with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to succeed in an evolving, multidisciplinary field. Through hands-on experience in areas such as video editing, digital storytelling, and documentary production, students learn to create compelling visual narratives. Graduates not planning to complete a four-year degree will be well-prepared for entry-level roles in the film and media industry, with the skills to succeed in an evolving, multidisciplinary field.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Demonstrate a basic understanding and appreciation of film as an art form.
Demonstrate the ability to craft a cinematic story with a coherent narrative structure.
Demonstrate the ability to plan, shoot, and edit a short film.

Program Requirements

60 credits are required for the degree:

General Education - 30 credits
Required Degree Courses - 30 credits

General Education Requirements - 30 Credits

Communication - Written and Oral (3 credits): ENG 101 Writing and Research
Humanities (6 credits): ENG 102 Writing and Literature and FILM 102 - Film 1945 to Present
Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice; and Social Sciences (3 credits): ANTHR 101 - Cultural Anthropology OR SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology OR SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology - Honors OR SOC 102 - Sociology of Families
The Arts (9 credits): FILM 100 - Introduction to Film and FILM 101 - Film 1895 to 1945 and FILM 130 - Digital Storytelling
US History and Civic Engagement (3 credits): HIS 110 - U.S. History Colonial to 1800 OR HIS 111 - 19th Century U.S. History OR HIS 112 - 20th Century United States History OR HIS 133 - African American History to 1865 OR HIS 134 - African American History from 1865 to Present

Where specific courses are not listed within the categories above, courses must be selected from the list of all general education courses .

Required Degree Courses - 30 credits

FILM 125 - Writing for Film
FILM 140 - Video Production
FILM 142 - Video Editing
FILM 145 - Documentary Video
FILM 150 - Film Internship or FILM elective
THEAT 111 - Acting 1
Film Elective (9 credits): select THREE from the following courses
Cinema Studies Elective (3 credits): select ONE from the following courses

Program Map

The program map is a recommended semester-by-semester schedule of courses based on degree requirements and serve as a general guideline to help students complete their program in two years. Although designed for full-time enrollment, these are easily adaptable for part-time study. For additional, individualized guidance, students should review Degree Works and consult an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure they are on track to complete their program.

Semester 1

Course	Credits
ENG 101 Writing and Research	3
FILM 100 - Introduction to Film	3
FILM 130 - Digital Storytelling	3
Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) Gen. Ed. Course	3
THEAT 111 - Acting 1	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 2

Course	Credits
ENG 102 Writing and Literature	3
FILM 101 - Film 1895 to 1945	3
FILM 125 - Writing for Film	3
FILM 142 - Video Editing	3
Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) Gen. Ed. Course	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 3

Course	Credits
FILM 102 - Film 1945 to Present	3
FILM 145 - Documentary Video	3
Film Elective	3
US History and Civic Engagement Gen. Ed. Course: HIS 110 OR HIS 111 OR HIS 112 OR HIS 133 OR HIS 134	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 4

Course	Credits
Cinema Studies Elective	3
FILM 140 - Video Production	3
FILM 150 - Film Internship	3
Film Elective	3
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice; and Social Sciences Gen. Ed. Course: ANTHR 101 OR SOC 101 OR SOC 101H OR SOC 102	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Minimum Total Credits: 60

Transfer Opportunities

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

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