University of Michigan

What you'll study

The programme combines intensive coursework, methods training and an extended dissertation that makes an original contribution to film and screen studies. Students pursue a personalised course of study across areas such as film history and historiography, film and media theory, national and transnational cinemas, documentary and experimental film, production and practice-led research, sound and music in film, digital media and algorithmic culture, and the intersections of film with race, gender, sexuality, colonialism and visual culture.

Typical components include:

• Core seminars in theoretical approaches, historiography and research methods.
• Advanced topic seminars in areas such as global cinema, documentary studies, media archaeology, and production theory.
• Methodological training covering archival research, oral history, ethnography, performance studies, and digital humanities methods applicable to moving-image scholarship.
• Practice-led modules (where relevant) that guide candidates in advanced production, experimental forms, or collaborative screen projects alongside critical reflection.
• Teaching experience through supervised undergraduate teaching or discussion-lead roles to develop pedagogy.
• Comprehensive exams/proposals that assess breadth and prepare a dissertation proposal, followed by independent research and the dissertation defence.

Programme structure

Students normally spend the early years completing coursework and methods training, submitting a dissertation proposal and passing qualifying or comprehensive assessments. The later years focus on independent research and writing under the direction of a faculty advisor and committee. Many students also engage with film screenings, conferences and lab or production facilities as part of their research.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant master’s degree or equivalent preparation in film, media studies, cultural studies, comparative literature, theatre, visual arts, or a closely related field. Candidates with strong undergraduate records and substantial professional or research experience may also be considered.

Typical application materials include academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae, a writing sample demonstrating scholarly ability (for example, a journal article, thesis chapter or critical essay), a research statement or dissertation proposal outlining planned doctoral research, and letters of recommendation. Applicants to practice-led pathways should submit a portfolio or links to work in addition to a critical contextual statement.

Proficiency in English is required for applicants whose prior education was not in English; the programme follows the university’s standard language proficiency policies. Admissions are competitive and based on scholarly fit with faculty expertise, the clarity and feasibility of the proposed research, and evidence of academic potential.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Film pursue a range of careers that make use of advanced research, critical analysis and teaching skills. Common career pathways include:

• Academic positions in universities and colleges (tenure-track and visiting posts) in film, media studies, and related humanities departments.
• Curatorial and research roles in film archives, museums and cultural institutions, including preservation and programming.
• Festival programming, critical editing, and cultural journalism or criticism.
• Policy, advocacy and research roles in arts organisations, foundations and cultural agencies.
• Research and development positions in media labs, streaming platforms and companies working on digital media, metadata and audience studies.
• Independent scholarship, public-facing writing, and consultancy in heritage, education and media production contexts.

Why study at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers a rich interdisciplinary environment for advanced film scholarship, combining a dedicated screen arts and cultures community with strong connections to departments in history, English, theatre, music, and American culture. The university’s libraries and special collections provide extensive primary-source material for historical and archival research, and on-campus cultural sites and film programmes foster public engagement and exhibition opportunities.

Faculty expertise spans a wide range of approaches and regions, enabling close supervision across theoretical and practice-led projects. Graduate students benefit from structured doctoral training, opportunities for funded teaching and research assistantships, and support from the university’s graduate school. The Ann Arbor cultural scene and proximity to Detroit’s media and arts initiatives also create avenues for collaborative research, outreach and applied projects beyond the academy.