Hollywood Semester

Take Your Learning to L.A.

The ��ý��Ƶ Hollywood Semester is a ��ý��Ƶ sponsored academic program. There is no enrollment cap. All interested participants are enrolled as students of ��ý��Ƶ earning 12 hours of ��ý��Ƶ academic credit. ��ý��Ƶ financial aid is applicable to the program costs of the Hollywood Semester. The Hollywood Semester program is open to all ��ý��Ƶ students in all majors.

Academics & Admissions

CFA 350 – Inside Entertainment (3 hours)
CFA 353 – Video Game Design (3 hours)
CFA 354 – Hollywood Semester Internship (3 hours)
CFA 355 – California Rock History (3 hours)
CFA 358 – Masters of Hollywood (3 hours) (W1 Tag)
CFA 359 – Visual Storytelling: How Hollywood Communicates (3 hours)
CFA 360 – Hollywood Semester Boot Camp (1 hour)
CFA 362 – Hollywood’s Greatest Genres (3 hours) (WI Tag)

Please note that classes are available on a semester basis. Classes for the upcoming semester will be announced during boot camp.

Academic Calendar

Spring 2026

January 12, Move-In Date
January 20, First Day of Classes
March 14, Spring Break Begins
March 23, Classes Resume
May 1, Last Day of Classes
May 9, Move out Date

Fall 2026

August 17, Move-In Date
August 24, First Day of Classes
October 10, Fall Break Begins
October 14, Classes Resume
November 25, Thanksgiving Recess Starts
November 30, Classes Resume
December 4, Last Day of Classes
December 12, Move out Date

Spring 2027

January 11, Move-In Date
January 18, First Day of Classes
March 13, Spring Break Begins
March 22, Classes Resume
April 30, Last Day of Classes
May 8, Move out Date

Guest Speakers

Laura Herlovich*
Publicist at PR Plus

Mishi McCaig
Concept Designer & Art Director (Iron Man, John Carter)

Neil Flynn*
Actor for Film & Television (Mean Girls, Scrubs, The Middle)

Tami Lane*
Academy Award Winning Makeup Artist for The Hobbit

Jed Schlanger*
Academy Award Nominated Producer for Netflix’s The Sea Beast

Adam Sandler
Director & Producer of The Price is Right

Rachel Ardelan*
Producer for Film & Television (Go Big Show, The Price is Right)

Scot Armstrong*
Writer for Film (The Hangover Part 2, Semi-Pro, Old School)

Kris Fitzgerald
Editor for Television & Film (Bob’s Burgers, Central Park)

Joseph Fulton*
Editor for Television (Frasier (2023), Kevin Can F**k Himself)

Eric Petersen*
Actor for Film & Television (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Kirstie)

Lindsey Rathjen*
Vice President at Interdependence Public Relations

Christopher Faczek*
VFX Supervisor at Outpost VFX (Paramount’s Picard)

Greg Dolph*
Actor & Stuntman for Universal Studios Hollywood’s Waterworld

Brett Hundley
NFL & XFL Quarterback, Founder of The Hundley Foundation

Rachel Raimist
Director for Television

Charley Steiner*
Los Angeles Dodgers radio play-by-play announcer

Lauren Rainey*
Royalties Analyst at Universal Music Group

A.J. Eaton
Director for Television & Film (Remember My Name)

Adriana Getz
Script Clearance for CBS Studios

* notates ��ý��Ƶ Universtiy Alumni

The cost to attend ��ý��Ƶ Hollywood Semester is based on ��ý��Ƶ tuition rate, housing, and Hollywood Semester fees. The rates noted are for 2024-2025 only and are subject to change.

��ý��Ƶ tuition	$20,605.00 (12-16 credit hours)
Program Fee	$3,000 ($1,000 due upon signing of participation agreement)
Technology fee	$250.00
Housing	$6,511.75
Total Program Cost	$30,366.75

Semester Payments are made through ��ý��Ƶ Student Financial Aid office. Payments are arranged as one would a semester in Peoria, IL.

Please see Brenden Applegate in Swords 100, Student Financial Aid, for financial and billing information.

All Financial Aid provided to the student may be applied to the Hollywood Semester.

Students attending ��ý��Ƶ with tuition remission must check with Financial Aid before applying for the Hollywood Semester.

Student Accommodation Details

Tucked in between Warner Brothers and the Universal Studios backlot in beautiful Burbank, California lies the offices and classroom for ��ý��Ƶ’s Hollywood Semester. The shared building space includes other schools such as the New York Film Academy and Ithaca College along with other entertainment companies. You can also find a full service deli in the building.

The Hollywood Semester headquarters feature a furnished lounge, a cozy study nook & a kitchen and also come fully equipped with high speed Wi-Fi. Our offices & classroom are located less than a mile from the student apartments in Burbank, making for an easy commute to and from classes. Students will be studying the history and craft of Hollywood right in the “Media Capital of the World”!

Hollywood Semester students live in the newly renovated AVA Apartments in the media capital of Burbank. The newly furnished apartments are just minutes from the ��ý��Ƶ office, movie studios, shopping centers and freeway access to the 5, 134, 101 and 405. AVA Burbank is centrally located and close to everywhere you want to be. At AVA Burbank, you will discover amped-up studios and 2-bedroom apartments that feature urban-inspired designs, refreshed amenities and social spaces. There is also comfy lounge seating around the pools to hang with friends or unwind alone. The apartments also feature a fitness center, secure parking for your car and bike storage. On certain days, the apartments are home to filming sets of shows featured on Netflix, Disney+ and more networks!

Housing cost is established by Kapi Residences. Students live in fully-furnished apartments, AVA in Burbank. The cost is based on a 2-bedroom, 4-person unit. A parking pass for AVA is NOT included in the housing cost.

Students are responsible for their own transportation arrangements to and from Los Angeles and during their stay in the city, along with all costs related to their transportation. Public transportation is available on a limited basis around the apartments in Burbank and in Los Angeles as a whole via Metro’s bus and light rail systems. Uber & Lyft rides are always available in all areas of Los Angeles & Southern California.

Participants must hold junior or senior standing, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and approval by ��ý��Ƶ faculty in student’s major. The Hollywood Semester program is open for student participation each fall or spring semesters. Participants must also complete and pass a mandatory boot camp for the semester prior to their semester.

The ��ý��Ƶ Hollywood Semester offers a unique opportunity for ��ý��Ƶ students to spend a semester in Los Angeles, living in the heart of the entertainment industry, studying specialized entertainment courses taught by industry professionals and interning across various sectors of the entertainment industry. The program aims to provide students with firsthand experience and networking opportunities in Hollywood, through internships, courses, and guest lectures. Participants gain valuable skills and connections crucial for careers in film, television, public relations, social media, and more. Additionally, the Hollywood Semester includes expeditions to industry events, ensuring an immersive experience in Los Angeles. Alumni emerge with a practical understanding of the industry, strong networking abilities, and professional presentation skills. The program now offers a mentorship initiative connecting students with ��ý��Ƶ alumni in Los Angeles. Open to all ��ý��Ƶ students & majors, the Hollywood Semester provides 12 academic credits and accepts financial aid, empowering students across majors to kickstart their careers in entertainment.

APPLY Visit/TOUR request information

Additional Links

Enrolled Student Questions

[email protected]

Inquiring Student Questions

[email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. One writing intensive course is offered per semester and you will get one EL tag when you participate in the required internship.

Yes. You need to enroll in CFA 360 – Hollywood Semester Boot Camp in the semester prior to going to LA.

Students can take the Hollywood semester in their junior year. To determine if this is appropriate for your plans, you will need to meet with your advisor prior to applying to the program.

There are no textbooks required for the Hollywood Semester. If necessary, instructors will have printed out text.

No, a car is not necessary but is recommended. It can make getting to your internships easier and open further opportunities to explore Los Angeles.

Your apartment will come fully furnished with 2 twin beds per room, a television, a couch, a desk and kitchen essentials including plates, silverware and glassware. Wireless internet is also included in your apartment. There are in-apartment laundry machines.

Parking spots are available for purchase on a monthly basis at $85 a month per student. There is street parking in the apartment area but is not always available.

The area around the apartment includes a grocery store (Vons), Starbucks, Bank of America, dry cleaners and a urgent care facility just steps from your apartment front door.

Most internships that our students take part in are unpaid. There are a few instances depending on the company or the work done where the internship is paid. It is rare to find a paid internship in the entertainment industry but students will earn college credit.

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