Programs in film and television directing can begin with the ability to compose and shoot a moving image. Shot composition, lighting, production design, and editing are all key ingredients in making a motion picture and are some of the classes generally offered.

Earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is an academic achievement upon completing a series of courses over the course of three or four years. The subjects that are studied in order to earn this degree vary widely under the disciplines of the liberal arts and sciences.