At The Los Angeles Film School, we accept students who are serious about pursuing their careers in the world of entertainment media.
The Los Angeles Film School has an open enrollment policy, with new start dates every four weeks. Prospective online and campus students are encouraged to take a virtual tour and discuss their personal, educational and occupational goals with the Office of Admissions.
Enrollment is open to high school graduates, or equivalent, who are interested in entering the entertainment industry. We do not require any previous experience in the entertainment field for admission. Find out more about our admission requirements below.
All Applicants
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION OR THE EQUIVALENT
In addition to completing the Application for Enrollment to be eligible for admission, an applicant must provide a valid government issued picture ID prior to enrollment and documentation confirming ONE of the following:
- An official high school transcript or diploma issued by a school in the United States that confirms the applicant is a high school graduate;
- Confirmation that the applicant has successfully completed a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a GED (General Education Diploma) diploma;
- Confirmation that the applicant has successfully completed the California HiSET (high school equivalency test)received directly from the testing center;
- Documentation of the completion of secondary school through homeschooling as defined by applicable state law and the student satisfies compulsory school attendance requirements in California or is exempt from such requirements;
- Must be of legal age at expected graduation date to be eligible to work within chosen profession;
- Documentation of successful completion of a state authorized examination from a state other than California that the jurisdiction recognizes as the equivalent of a high school diploma; or
- For non-U.S. transcripts or diplomas, an evaluation prepared by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) member organization to confirm that prior training is equivalent to the prerequisite for admission.
Applicants who are unable to provide such documentation due to the unavailability of academic records (such as a natural disaster or closure of the issuing institution) will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Factors for consideration may include, but are not limited to, confirmation from a reliable authority that the institution cannot produce the records or that the records are not attainable. In all cases, LAFS retains the sole discretion to determine whether or not the secondary training completed by the applicant is sufficient to satisfy the admissions requirements. For any bachelor’s degree completion program, applicants also submit an official college transcript issued from the institution to LAFS, documenting completion of an associate’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the equivalent (bachelor’s degree completion program only).
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language. This requirement can be satisfied a) if the applicant successfully completed course work in high school in the United States; b) submits a diploma from a secondary school in a system in which English is the official language of instruction; c) completion of an American standardized test (SAT, ACT, or GRE) exam evidencing English comprehension; or d) completed one or more years of postsecondary education at an English-speaking institution and can demonstrate completed coursework in English courses. If the applicant does not meet one of the English language proficiencies listed above, the applicant must provide the minimum acceptable proof of English language proficiency through one of the following:
Associate and Full Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Presenting the Level 110 certificate of completion of ELS coursework or official documentation from another accredited ESL program that the applicant has completed an equivalent college-level English language program or presenting an official minimum score on one of the following English proficiency exams:
- A score of ‘61’ on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based (iBT);
- A score of ‘6.0’ on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or
- A raw score of ‘66’ and an adjusted score of ‘81’ on the Michigan Test of English Proficiency (MTEP).
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Presenting the Level 112 certificate of completion of ELS coursework or official documentation from another accredited ESL program that the applicant has completed an equivalent advanced college-level English language program or presenting an official minimum score on one of the following English proficiency exams:
- A score of ‘79’ on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based (iBT); or
- A score of ‘6.5’ on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Students’ educational training takes place in a variety of production environments including, classrooms, sound stages, offcampus locations, project studios, and computer lab environments. While performing various activities in classes and labs, students are required to verbally communicate effectively with other students and instructors, and interact appropriately with computer systems, audio, video, lighting and other production equipment as necessary. While in class and lab, students may be subject to bending, reaching, kneeling, stooping and lifting up to thirty (30) pounds. Students must therefore meet minimum physical requirements in order to perform the essential duties required to successfully complete their program. Applicants should contact their Admissions Representative for the list of specific requirements for their selected degree program.
Additional Requirements for Online Programs
Applicants to distance education/online degree programs must have a computer that allows for access to our Learning Management System (LMS) and corresponding materials, and with sufficient memory and hard drive capacity to upload and download multimedia files. Students must also have regular access to a computer that meets the minimum specifications for each program and reliable high-speed Internet connection. Applicants will be required to complete a technology assessment and orientation module. The assessment module confirms that the applicant has received sufficient instruction and information from the orientation module. The module explains the best practices for conducting online learning, overall operation of the online platform, procedures for troubleshooting problems and contacting the technical support team, and general college policies as they apply to the online format.
State Authorization Disclosure for Online Students
All required documentation that is not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. If native language is other than English, verification of language proficiency is required.
- An official credential evaluation with high school transcript that certifies that the student completed the equivalent of a high school diploma from a non-U.S. educational institute.
- All applicants must have the ability to read and write English at the level of a graduate of an American high school as demonstrated by the possession of a high school diploma, GED or passage of the California high school proficiency exam.
- All applicants must have proof of sufficient funds to cover all expenses while studying in the U.S. Or an international applicant can be sponsored by a family member or other individual to cover tuition and other expenses while studying abroad.
International Applicants
All international students must meet the same admissions standards as all other students (please refer to Admissions Requirements above). International students applying to SEVP-certified schools and requiring the school’s sponsorship for international student visa status (Form I-20) must meet the additional requirements listed below. The school requires nonimmigrant students present in Visa Waiver, B-1, and B-2 status to change visa to F-1 or other qualifying status prior to enrolling in programs of study (other than avocational or recreational courses). Important International Student Disclosure – International students attending the school under F-1 visas (Form I-20) are required to maintain a “full course of study” during each academic term of their programs of study. This is defined as a minimum of 12 credits per 16-week semester Not more than 1 online course or 3 online credits per semester may be counted toward meeting the “full course of study” requirement.
THIS SCHOOL IS AUTHORIZED UNDER FEDERAL LAW TO ENROLL NONIMMIGRANT ALIEN STUDENTS.
Admission Requirements for Students Requiring Form I-20 Sponsorship
International students requiring an I-20 must submit the following items in addition to the standard documents required for admission:
- Original or official copies of all educational transcripts and diplomas (secondary and postsecondary if applicable).
- English language translation(s) of education transcripts and diplomas, if applicable.
- For non-U.S. transcripts or diplomas, an evaluation prepared by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)-member organization to confirm that prior training is equivalent to the prerequisite for admission.
- Proof of English Language Proficiency (see English Language Proficiency Policy)
- Proof of financial responsibility to cover costs of tuition and fees and living expenses for at least one academic year
(official bank statements, Sponsor’s Statement of Support, if required). Please note that all fees must be paid in United States currency. Applicants for a campus-based degree program are required to obtain the proper visa in order to study full time. Nonimmigrant applicants residing in the United States at the time of application must submit a photocopy of the visa page contained within the student’s passport as well as a photocopy of the student’s I/94 arrival departure record (both sides). Nonimmigrant applicants residing in the United States at the time of application in either, F, M, or J non-immigrant classification must submit written confirmation of nonimmigrant status at previous school attended before transferring to the School.
Military Applicants
The military document DD214 is NOT an acceptable means of proving high school or high school equivalency certification of completion.
Completion Degrees
Applicants to a bachelor’s degree completion program must also submit an official college transcript documenting completion of an associate degree from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (bachelor’s degree completion program only).
*Registration fee will be refunded if the student requests to cancel within 3 days.
The School reserves the right to request any additional information necessary to evaluate an applicant’s potential for academic success. The School may reject any applicant whose records indicate that they are not reasonably capable of successfully completing and benefiting from the program, inadequate preparation and/or interest for its programs.
Detailed application and admissions requirements can be found in the current Academic Catalog.