Four-Year Universities

• Four-year university degree programs for camera operators typically lead to a Bachelor of Arts degree in film production with an emphasis in camera operating. This in-depth program prepares students to work in a wide variety of industries, such as a television camera operator, cinematic operator, music video producer and many other visually-based careers. A four-year camera operator degree program is commonly housed in the university's mass media/communication department and requires a minimum of 128 credit hours. Coursework found in this type of camera operator degree program may include cinematography, editing, audio mixing, film production techniques and video stock processing. Applicants for a four-year camera operator degree program are typically required to have a high school diploma, or a GED.
  
  

Community Colleges

• Community colleges may offer a two-year Associates of Arts degree in film production, which consist of an average of 60 credit hours and prepare students for entry-level work as a camera operator. While an associate degree in film production may not provide the level of training four-year programs offer, this type of school is not as expensive as its counterpart and does not require a four-year time commitment. Camera operator courses in a community college may cover topics such as filmmaking fundamentals, digital video processing, field video production techniques, acting techniques and film/TV writing. Typically a community college requires all entering students to have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  
  

Master Degree Universities

• Those who hold a bachelor's degree may advance their education by enrolling in a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film and Television Production program. This advanced-level program typically requires an average of 52 credit hours, which is carried out over a span of two years. Topics covered within this degree program may include cinematic production concepts, visual expression, advanced script analysis, film editing and audio mixing; however, the actual coursework within the program will vary according to the university. Enrolling in this type of camera operator school may require a personal statement essay, writing samples, visual samples of previous camera operator work, film production resume/portfolio and a letter of recommendation.
  
  

Online Degrees

• Online camera operator schools provide students the ability to undergo professional training without having to attend a physical class. For those who work full time or if your local university or community college does not offer a film production degree program, online schools may be your ideal choice. Online schools typically offer Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degree programs. Coursework is a mixture of online lectures, physical textbooks and submitting projects via the Internet to instructors.