RIT Global Scholars: Los Angeles

Overview

The RIT Global Scholars program in Los Angeles is a unique opportunity for students from RIT’s international campuses to spend a semester immersed in one of the world's most dynamic creative hubs. This additional term does not count against the two semesters allowed in Rochester, making it an excellent way to expand your academic experience.

Students will gain firsthand exposure to the entertainment industry, learning how professionals from all fields—technology, business, design, and beyond—contribute to this innovative sector. Los Angeles is a global center for film, television, video games, music, theme parks, special effects, and transmedia storytelling—where stories unfold across multiple platforms like social media, podcasts, immersive experiences, and interactive apps.

Program Highlights:

  • Hands-on, project-based courses taught by local faculty and industry professionals.
  • Networking and collaboration with entertainment industry experts and RIT alumni.
  • Excursions and cultural experiences, including studio tours, museums, landmarks, beaches, and hikes.
  • Complete a minor in Transmedia & Storytelling and develop proficiency in multi-platform narratives.

Who Should Apply?

The entertainment industry isn’t just for filmmakers. It requires professionals from all disciplines to bring stories to life:

  • Marketing: Learn how to engage audiences across multiple platforms through transmedia campaigns, brand storytelling, and content strategy.
  • Finance & Global Business: Explore entertainment investments, brand valuation, franchise management, and global market strategies.
  • Management: Understand how data, technology, and digital infrastructure power the entertainment industry.
  • Hospitality & Tourism Management: Discover the connections between entertainment, tourism, event planning, and guest experiences.
  • Digital Design & New Media: Seamlessly blend visuals, sound, and interactivity in digital experiences.

Students also have the opportunity to earn a Transmedia Storytelling Minor in one semester, enhancing their ability to navigate and contribute to this ever-evolving industry.

Join the RIT Global Scholars program in Los Angeles and expand your academic, cultural, and professional horizons in the heart of the entertainment world.

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Eligibility Requirements

Academic Program: While open to all majors, this program is especially suited for students in  

  • Marketing
  • Finance
  • Global Business
  • Management
  • Hospitality & Tourism
  • Management 
  • Digital Arts & New Media

Year Level: You are eligible to apply if you currently are in your second semester of your first year up to your next-to-last semester of your program.

Campus: Open to all RIT Global Campuses (Croatia, Dubai, Kosovo & China)

GPA: 2.5 or above*
Students with a GPA lower than 2.5 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. As part of their application, they must request their home campus academic advisor to send a recommendation email to ritglobal@rit.edu before the March 31 deadline.

Other Requirements: Good academic standing and clear conduct record.

How to Apply

  1. Log in to the Compass with your RIT username and password
  2. Click on “Search Programs,” scroll to the bottom, and select “RIT Global Scholars: Los Angeles”
  3. Select the term you are applying for
  4. Click on the “Apply” button
  5. If you are applying for two semesters, you will have to do the process twice - once for each semester.
  6. Fill out all the required fields and upload all the necessary documents
  7. Make sure you press the SAVE button
  8. Once you are done click SAVE and SUBMIT application

Academics

Students will take a minimum of 12 credits. Applicants should discuss how these credits would count towards their RIT degree program with their academic advisor. 

IDTL 500 - Transmedia Storytelling (3 credits) 
In the 21st century, narratives transcend traditional boundaries and come to life across various platforms. Transmedia storytelling is an innovative approach that has gained significant prominence in the digital age and is being deployed today in the commercial/entertainment industry to extend a narrative universe beyond a single medium. It allows the story to exist and evolve through various channels such as film, television, books, graphic novels, video games, social media, augmented reality, and interactive exhibitions. In this project-based class, you will delve into the theory, practice and ethics of commercial transmedia storytelling in the entertainment industry, gaining insights into the mechanics that drive this exciting phenomenon. 

VISL 387 - Imag(in)ing the City: L.A. (3 credits) 
This course examines the ways in which culture, ethnicity, languages, traditions, governance, politics, and histories interact in the production of the visual experience. We will approach the city of LA in its various urban spatial forms as image experiences, subject to interpretive strategies and the influence of other discourses. We will wander the well-traveled and the unbeaten paths, participating in and interrogating a wide range of LA's, treasures and embarrassments, secrets and norms. We will also read from literature and cultural studies, as well as viewing films, advertisements and websites, and attending entertainment events. 

VISL 320: Contemporary Cinema (3 credits)
Online asynchronous course at RIT main campus. We will study cinema in the United States and abroad from the mid-20th century to contemporary screen cultures. We will consider shorts, war documentaries, biographical and autobiographical films, animation, mockumentaries, video diaries, and immersive installations. Questions we will ask include: How does cinema represent or transform social and historical events in local and global contexts? Which ethical and aesthetic responsibilities does a filmmaker have to their audience and filmed subjects? What ethical questions do the films raise for us as spectators? How do we understand the role of media technologies in the making of these films? We will investigate the structures, techniques, and ideologies that identify cinematic practices as fiction or non-fiction and consider films that challenge these representational systems, helping us examine the line between fact and fiction. 

SOFA 557: Chasing Rainbows: Business and Innovation in Entertainment (3 credits)  
We are in a transformative age in entertainment. New technologies and distribution platforms are changing the way consumers engage with movies, television, games and new media – disrupting the traditional business models and creating new markets. This course will examine the business aspects of the entertainment ecosystem and the transformative trends that are driving innovation in production, visual effects, storytelling, AI and immersive experiences. 

IGME 590: Games Seminar: Designing Characters for Games: Extras, Enemies, and Heroes (3 credits)  
Games have a whole cast of characters who form the context for the player-protagonist. This seminar speaks to the intentionality of character design in traditional media, and discusses additional implications in interactive digital works. Character design in games includes additional considerations to traditional media. Topics include: world building, narrative, aesthetics, movement, interaction design, both in conversation and in combat. 

 

Costs

You can download your budget worksheet here.

Fees Explanation of Fees

Program Fee $8,500

This fee includes housing; wi-fi; utilities; amenities; cultural and industry related excursions; orientation; two group dinners; and administrative fees. This is an actual cost.

International student mandatory health Insurance $1019*

All international students registered at RIT are automatically enrolled in the RIT Aetna Student Health Plan, and the charge is automatically added to their account. Coverage is activated based on your registration status.

RIT student activities fee $200*

All full time undergraduate students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours in a degree program, are assessed this fee. The student activity fee supports programs, events, and services that enhance the quality of student life at RIT.

RIT student health services fee $275*

All undergraduate students enrolled in 12 or more credits are automatically charged the Student Health Services Fee each semester

Food $3,242

Your actual food expenses will differ based on your personal eating habits, any specific dietary needs, and how often you cook versus eating out. This amount estimates an average $200+ for food a week.  

Total: $13,236

NOTE: This total is the amount you must demonstrate you have available in financial resources. If accepted, you will need to provide financial documents showing proof of funds for this total amount so that RIT can issue your I-20.

*These amounts are estimates for now, as the final rates for Fall 2025 have not been published yet. You should expect the total to be around this amount or around 8%-10% higher when the final costs are confirmed.

Other expenses associated with the program

SEVIS fee

$350

DS-160 F-1 visa application fee

$185

Visa interview fee

$260

Vaccinations
(dependent on student vaccination history/records)

$330

Personal expenses, and transportation (metro pass; Uber; Lyft)
(this may vary depending on personal preferences)

$3,415

Deadlines and Timeline

Applications for Fall 25 are currently open.

Deadline to apply is March 31 - 11:59PM EDT

Timeline 

Decision: Students will be notified of acceptance no later than Friday, April 4,  2025.

Confirmation: Student must confirm participation no later than Friday, April 11. At that point students are expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of USD$750 which will be credited towards their program costs.

I-20 processing time: 3-4 weeks, from the day the Global Office receives all the necessary and correct documents along with the student’s confirmation of participation and non-refundable deposit.