Application Deadline
November 11
Notification
November 19
Decision
January 9
Program Overview
UMLA offers students a three-credit, ten-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
Application Process
- UMLA Application
- One Letter of Recommendation
- Resume
- Unofficial transcript
Program Contact
Joselyn Garcia
joselyn@miami.edu
UMLA Instructors
Oliver Jones
Oliver Jones is a Los Angeles-based, award-winning journalist and professor whose work over the last decade has centered on the media industry and the city in which he lives. He has worked as a journalist for over 30 years covering media business, celebrity and breaking news for publications including People, Variety, Daily Beast, New York, among others. A second-generation film critic, Jones regularly reviews movies for observer.com and is a member of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. He serves as an adjunct professor at Emerson College Los Angeles and Syracuse University’s Newhouse Los Angeles; he teaches classes on film and film criticism, the social and media history of Los Angeles, and working within the media and entertainment industries. He has been a resident of the West Adams neighborhood since 2007.
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 ten days from Wednesday, May 13 to Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Estimated Breakdown of costs:
- $7,932 tuition costs (additional fees may apply – billable)
- $2,500 program fee (billable)
- $1,500 additional student costs (non-billable)
Estimated Billable subtotal: $10,432
Estimated Non-billable subtotal: $1,500
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 consideration for a scholarship that would be applied toward the program fee. (Only the program fee can be subsidized by scholarship funds).
Interested students are invited to complete the scholarship application, due December 12th, 2025. For details, please contact Joselyn Garcia at joselyn@miami.edu.
The program fee covers the following expenses:
- Accommodation in Los Angeles
- Excursions related to course material
- Entrance fees, tours, and activities
- Classroom space
- Admission to the LA Showcase – a premier networking event
The expenses to be incurred by the student have been estimated to be $1,500:
- $500 Meals
- $150 Personal Expenses
- $400 Transportation, Local
- $450 Air travel to and from Los Angeles
Ryan Coogler / Proximity Media, TV Assistant
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson/ Seven Bucks, Manager for Digital Strategy and Content
Neilson, Research Analyst & Strategist
Netflix, Music Creative & Production
Netflix, Showrunner’s Assistant
Overtime Sports Network, Production Financial Analyst
The Problem with Jon Stewart, Associate Producer
Sony Pictures, Marketing Coordinator
United Talent Agency, Talent Assistant
WWE, Associate Producer
William Morris Endeavor, Assistant
