The University of Houston is set to open applications in February for a new online graduate certificate aimed at preparing students for jobs in Houston’s rapidly growing film and television industry, according to a Jan. 22 news release.
What you need to know
Housed in the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, the Graduate Certificate in Film and Media Production and Leadership will offer evening synchronous online classes and is designed to build a local workforce pipeline for producers and project leaders, said Fleurette S. Fernando, associate dean and director of the Arts Leadership Program.
“We really wanted to ride that wave and create a program that can help to strengthen workforce development in film and television in Houston,” Fernando said.
UH officials tied the launch to growing production momentum statewide following Texas Senate Bill 22, which allocates $300 million every two years to film and TV incentives. As of September 2024, companies had spent $2.52 billion in Texas and created 189,000 Texas jobs through the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, according to the Texas Film Commission.
A closer look
The five-course certificate totals 15 credit hours, with up to nine potentially transferable to select UH graduate degree programs. The first cohort will begin in summer 2026 and will be capped at 15 students, with priority given to artists based in Houston and Texas, according to the release.
Applications open in February and are due May 1. For more information, contact Fernando at [email protected].