Organizer Information
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a private university in Los Angeles, California. Relevant creative and academic offerings are housed primarily in the College of Communication and Fine Arts (CFA) and the School of Film and Television (SFTV). LMU offers undergraduate and graduate study in studio arts, art history, film and television, animation, screenwriting, theatre, and related creative disciplines.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Loyola Marymount University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA / BFA / MA / MFA
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Art History / Film / Television / Animation / Screenwriting / Media / Theatre / Art Therapy
- Relevant Programs: Studio Arts BA; Art and Design BFA; Art History BA; Animation BA; Film and Television Production BA/BFA; Film, Television, and Media Studies BA; Screenwriting BA; MFA Film and Television Production; MFA Writing for the Screen; MFA Writing and Producing for Television; MA in Marital and Family Therapy with Specialized Training in Art Therapy; MFA Performance Pedagogy.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Fall and Spring admission are available for applicable programs; deadlines vary by program and level.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate first-year deadlines include 1 November and 15 January; graduate deadlines are program-specific.
- Start of Studies: Fall / Spring, depending on program
- Application Fee: $75 undergraduate / $50 graduate
- Tuition: $68,042 per academic year for full-time undergraduate study; graduate tuition varies by program.
- Funding: Scholarships, grants and graduate assistantships are available; international eligibility varies by funding type.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- LMU's relevant creative programs cover studio art, art history, design, photography, multimedia arts, visual communication design, animation, film and television production, screenwriting, film/media studies, theatre, and art therapy. Studio Arts offers a BA and BFA, while the BFA includes concentrations in 3D Studies, Art Education, Drawing, Multimedia Arts, Painting, Photography, and Visual Communication Design.
- Film and Television Production is offered at undergraduate level, with the BFA beginning in Fall 2026 for production majors, while SFTV also offers three MFA programs in Film and Television Production, Writing for the Screen, and Writing and Producing for Television.
- Portfolio requirements are program-specific. The Studio Arts BFA requires a portfolio, while a portfolio is highly recommended for the BA. Undergraduate applicants to Animation, Film and Television Production, Theatre Arts, Dance, Music, and specified Studio Arts programs have program-specific audition or portfolio requirements.
General Eligibility
- LMU accepts both domestic and international applicants. First-year undergraduate applicants must complete secondary education and submit the required admission materials. LMU does not specify a minimum GPA or standardized-test score for undergraduate admission and is test-optional for SAT/ACT.
- Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent international bachelor's degree. Specific graduate programs may impose additional coursework, testing, portfolio, or professional requirements.
- Additional Eligibility Conditions: International graduate applicants with postsecondary education outside the United States must provide a U.S.-based transcript evaluation. Applicants to SFTV graduate programs require a course-by-course evaluation identifying the GPA.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate first-year applicants must provide secondary-school transcripts. Transfer applicants must provide transcripts from each college or university attended.
- Applicants to graduate programs must hold a bachelor's degree or international equivalent. SFTV MFA applicants must provide evidence that their prior degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants whose prior education does not qualify for an exemption must demonstrate English proficiency. LMU lists minimum scores of IELTS 6.5, PTE 56, and Duolingo English Test 120. TOEFL requirements are also published by LMU, with the university currently listing 4.5 for iBT TOEFL examinations taken after 21 January 2026.
- For international graduate applicants, LMU generally requires TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo unless an applicable exemption applies. The published minimums for most graduate programs are IELTS 7, Duolingo 130, and the university's currently stated post-21 January 2026 TOEFL minimum of 5.
Application Fee
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Application Fee | Fee Waiver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | First-year applicants | $75 | Available through the applicable application |
| Graduate | Graduate applicants | $50 | Program-specific exceptions may apply |
LMU's undergraduate admission page states a $75 fee, while the Graduate Division lists a $50 non-refundable application fee.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Full-time, 12+ semester hours | $68,042 | Per academic year |
| Undergraduate | Full-time, 12+ semester hours | $34,021 | Per semester |
| SFTV MFA — Film & Television Production | All applicants | $39,024 Year 1; $29,268 Years 2–3 | Per academic year |
| SFTV MFA — Writing & Producing for Television | All applicants | $29,268 Years 1–2; $24,390 Year 3 | Per academic year |
| SFTV MFA — Writing for the Screen | All applicants | $29,268 Years 1–2; $24,390 Year 3 | Per academic year |
LMU lists graduate tuition for the School of Film and Television at $1,814 per unit in its general 2026/27 graduate schedule, while the SFTV program-specific page provides the detailed annual tuition figures above.
Mandatory charges can include registration, student activity, international student, accident insurance, health insurance, and other program or enrollment-related fees. International students are required to maintain LMU health insurance unless an approved comparable insurance waiver applies.
Funding & Financial Support
- International first-year undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for LMU-funded academic scholarships. LMU states that international undergraduates are not eligible for federal or state-funded financial aid.
- International graduate students may be eligible for LMU grants, scholarships, and graduate assistantships, but are not eligible for need-based LMU financial aid.
University Services & Academic Support
Relevant support includes academic advising, the William H. Hannon Library, career and professional development services, international student support through the Office for International Students and Scholars, and SFTV's faculty mentorship and industry-oriented opportunities. SFTV describes its graduate programs as incorporating hands-on mentorship, production experience, internships, and industry networking.
Application Requirements
First-year undergraduate applicants must submit an application, $75 fee, one required recommendation letter, and secondary-school transcripts. SAT/ACT scores are optional.
Program-specific creative requirements include:
- Studio Arts BA: Portfolio highly recommended; 10–15 original works may be submitted.
- Studio Arts BFA / Art and Design: Portfolio required.
- Film and Television Production / Animation: Program-specific creative materials or portfolio requirements apply.
- SFTV MFA programs: Official transcripts, international transcript evaluation where applicable, personal statement, résumé, English-language evidence for applicable international applicants, and program-specific creative/writing materials are required.
For the MFA in Film and Television Production, applicants must additionally submit creative samples, a two-minute video recording, and a portfolio list.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision I Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision II Deadline: 8 January 2027
- Regular Decision Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Spring First-Year Application Deadline: 15 October 2026
- SFTV MFA Film and Television Production Deadline: 15 November 2026
- SFTV MFA Writing and Producing for Television Deadline: 15 November 2026
- SFTV MFA Writing for the Screen Deadline: 15 November 2026
- MA in Marital and Family Therapy with Specialized Training in Art Therapy Deadline: 30 November 2026
Location
Loyola Marymount University — Los Angeles, United States
Additional Details
- LMU's undergraduate admission deadlines are presented by decision plan, while graduate deadlines are determined at program level. International applicants do not have separate graduate admission deadlines, although LMU recommends submitting international graduate applications and supporting materials at least three months before the intended enrollment term.
- There is a material date-label issue on some SFTV program-specific pages: those pages currently describe the 15 November deadline as the deadline for Fall 2026, while LMU's current Graduate Program Deadlines page lists 15 November as the Fall deadline without specifying a year. The dates above therefore preserve the currently published official dates rather than inferring a different cycle.
- International students admitted to LMU who require an F-1 visa must complete the I-20 process and provide official financial documentation covering the required tuition and living expenses.