Semester in LA

Spend a semester living, learning and interning in Los Angeles. Gain hands-on industry experience, earn academic credit and build professional connections while completing a full-time internship in one of the world's leading media and entertainment capitals.


 

Students posing in front of The Simpsons studio in LA.

Launch Your Media Career in Los Angeles

Spend a semester living, learning and working in one of the world's leading media and entertainment capitals.

The College of Communication and Media's Semester in LA program gives students the opportunity to complete a full-time internship while earning academic credit and building professional connections across the entertainment, sports, journalism, communications and media industries.

Open to all CCOM majors, the program combines classroom learning with hands-on experience, helping students graduate with real industry experience and an expanded professional network.

Why Participate in the Semester in LA Program?

Students who participate will:

  • Complete a internship for academic credit
  • Take in-person classes with media professionals and LA-based faculty
  • Build professional relationships with industry leaders
  • Live alongside fellow Montclair students in Los Angeles
  • Learn from weekly guest speakers working throughout the media industry
  • Gain firsthand experience in entertainment, television, film, journalism, sports media, advertising, public relations and digital media
  • Strengthen their resume before graduation

Whether your goal is to work in film production, television, social media, journalism, sports communication, advertising or another creative field, the Semester in LA program provides valuable professional experience.

Career Services Support

The CCOM Career Services team helps students prepare competitive internship applications before arriving in Los Angeles.

CCOM Career Services
Students speaking to recruiter at a career fair event.

Program Overview

The Semester in LA program is open to students in all CCOM majors.

Although many FMTV students participate, past students have majored in:

  • Advertising
  • Animation and Visual Effects
  • Communication and Media Studies
  • Film and Television
  • Journalism and Digital Media
  • Social Media and Public Relations
  • Sports Communication

Students continue their full-time track and complete 12–15 credits during the semester. Taking 15 credits is strongly encouraged to remain on track for graduation.

Your semester includes:

  • A 3-9 credit internship
  • One or two online Montclair courses (depending on internship credits)
  • FMTV 364: The Los Angeles Media Industry (required in-person course featuring weekly industry professionals)
  • Optional in-person course:
    • JOUR 222: Podcast Production, where students collaborate with their Los Angeles cohort to produce an original podcast.

If you need assistance finding an internship, the College will work with you throughout the process.

Internships are the centerpiece of the Semester in LA program experience.

Students have opportunities to intern with organizations across the media and entertainment industries while gaining practical workplace experience, expanding their professional network and applying classroom learning in a professional setting.

Internship opportunities vary each semester based on employer availability and student interests.

Students accepted into the program sign a four-month lease with the College's housing partner, AVA Toluca Hills at Avalon Communities.

Housing includes:

  • Fully furnished apartments
  • Two-bedroom apartments housing four students
  • Two students per bedroom
  • Shared living spaces

The College will make every effort to house Montclair students together. Depending on enrollment, students may also live with students from other universities participating in similar residency programs.

Admission to the Semester in LA program is competitive.

Applicants must complete an online application that includes:

  • A personal statement explaining why they are a strong fit for the program
  • Career goals for the semester
  • Internship interests and targeted internship opportunities
  • Current GPA
  • Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Relevant completed coursework

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with CCOM Career Services before submitting their application.

Career advisors can assist with:

  • Resume reviews
  • Internship searches
  • Interview preparation
  • Career planning

The Semester in LA Residency Program is offered during both the:

  • Fall semester
  • Spring semester

Application deadlines are announced each semester.

Because students remain enrolled full-time at Montclair State University, regular tuition and fees apply.

Additional anticipated costs include:

  • Approximately $1,575 per month for housing (based on recent rates; future rates are subject to change)
  • Approximately $500 program fee for additional programming and activities
  • Transportation to Los Angeles
  • Local transportation throughout the semester
  • Personal expenses

Students living in Montclair residence halls during the preceding Fall semester who participate in the LA program are released from their Spring housing obligation with Residential Life after completing the required fall move-out process.

Parking is available through the housing complex for an additional monthly fee.

What Our Past Students Are Saying

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Program Contacts

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