UMLA

CCA 494 / JMM 492 / CCA 795 / JMM 692 Special Topics

3 Undergraduate or Graduate Credits

Application Deadline
November 4

Notification
November 15

Decision
December 15

Program Overview

UMLA offers students a three-credit, seven-day transformative experience that takes you on a journey through the entertainment capital of the world. Immerse yourself in the dynamic city of Los Angeles, with its thriving arts scene and numerous cultural landmarks, while gaining firsthand insight into the inner workings of the entertainment industry.

Los Angeles will be your classroom. Students benefit from invaluable exposure to professional opportunities through excursions that include studios, museums, and master classes led by renowned experts. You will gain unparalleled experiences in mentorship and networking, supported by a unique curriculum and UM’s seasoned faculty. The trip culminates in what has become the annual red-carpet event eagerly awaited by UM alumni, the Canes L.A. Showcase.

Students reside at the home of our partner, Emerson LA, in an iconic building that has been listed on LA Magazine’s “Guide to the 100 Stunning Architectural Gems of LA.” On Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood, this central location affords the comfort of a single room (with shared bath) as well as a community kitchen, laundry facilities, fitness center, and complimentary gated parking.

If you’re interested in participating in a West Coast summer internship, UMLA provides an ideal bridge. Those who plan and apply in advance are well-positioned to intern in Los Angeles following the May course. For the search and application process, UMLA students are encouraged to utilize resources provided by the course instructors and the School of Communication’s Stein Family Career Office.

Whether you aim to break into the film industry, explore television production, aspire to specialize in public relations, or pursue other creative passions, our program places you in an ideal position for your next professional step.

Eligibility

Minimum GPA 2.7
Sophomore standing or above
Graduate students may apply
Students outside the School of Communication may apply
Course Instructor approval required

Program Contact

Joselyn Garcia
joselyn@miami.edu

UMLA Instructors

Jim Lane
Bill Cosford Program Director
School of Communication UMLA Program

Jim is a media scholar and film/video maker with extensive publications and production experience. He has published articles in Wide Angle, Jump Cut, The Journal of Film and Video and Film History. In 2002, he published The Autobiographical Documentary in America. An award-winning filmmaking, he is interested in mixing autobiographical, documentary, and experimental forms. He has also been a film/video curator at the UCLA Film and TV Archive and Harvard Film Archive and is the co-founder of the Boston Irish Film Festival. Jim holds an A.B. from Harvard and M.A. and Ph.D. from UCLA.

Ana François
Assistant Professor of Practice & Associate Department Chair of Journalism and Media Management
Home Campus Advisor, UMLA

Prior to joining the UM faculty in 2013, Ana Francois was an independent consultant specializing in media management issues, such as startups, rights management, and valuations.

François also spent her professional career in entertainment at major studios in Los Angeles. She worked in the television distribution unit at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Due to her international and financial background, she quickly focused on international distribution of film and television products. In particular, she worked with European and Latin American markets. From MGM, François moved to Universal Studios, where she was an executive managing sales support in Worldwide Television Distribution.

François holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, with an emphasis in finance and entertainment. Prior to that, she obtained dual degrees in Mathematics and Latin American Literature, also from UCLA.

Program Costs

The UMLA Program will run for seven days from Monday, May 12 to Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Breakdown of costs:

$7,290 credit costs (billable)
$2,000 program fee (billable)
$1,000 additional student costs (non-billable)

Billable subtotal: $9,290
Non-billable subtotal: $1,000

Students are responsible for any other costs not specifically mentioned as covered in the program fee, including independent travel outside of the program.

Every UMLA student is eligible for a scholarship that will be applied toward the program fee. For details, please contact Joselyn Garcia at joselyn@miami.edu.