COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
SEMESTER IN LA
Columbia College Chicago’s Semester in LA (SiLA) programs are immersive experiences designed for students preparing for careers in entertainment. Based at Sunset Las Palmas Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Studios, the program blends classroom activities with hands-on industry opportunities.
Students live and learn in Los Angeles, take courses taught by working professionals, and gain realworld experience through internships, field visits, and networking events with insiders across the entertainment industry.
SILA OFFERS:
Courses taught by professionals from leading companies including CAA, Nickelodeon, and Fox. Recent faculty have included Robert Atwood, Head of Television at 21 Laps, and acclaimed film editor Troy Takaki
Internships at top companies such as Netflix, Disney, Blumhouse, Monkeypaw Productions, and Creative Artists Agency
Behind-the-scenes tours and studio access throughout LA’s creative hubs
“Semester
Networking with producers, executives, casting teams, and creatives across the entertainment spectrum, many of whom are Columbia College Chicago alumni
Guest speakers and mentors from Netflix, Apple TV+, HBO, Disney, Paramount, Riot Games, Warner Bros., and other top studios, agencies, and production companies
in LA changed my perspective … I hit the ground running.”
Lena Waithe ’06
Emmy-winning writer (“Master of None”), Emmy-nominated producer (“Being Mary Tyler Moore”), and series creator (“The Chi”)
SEMESTER IN LA
COLUMBIA AND SEMESTER IN LA: A TALENT PIPELINE
Columbia College Chicago prepares students to thrive in today’s ever-changing media and entertainment landscape—with the skills and talent employers want. Columbia students prepare for careers in:
• Film and TV—from script development to post-production
• Acting, theatre, and dance
• Audio and music
• Fashion and fashion merchandising
• Gaming, animation, visual effects, and virtual production
• Music and music composition
• Communication, marketing, and business and entrepreneurship
• Photography
Columbia students are known for their exceptional talent, creativity, and collaboration—qualities shaped by a hands-on education, strong industry connections, and a proven record of success.
COLUMBIA OUTCOMES:
A track record of alumni success, including GRAMMY, Emmy, and Oscar winners and nominees
96% of our 2023 graduates reported being employed or achieving success in creative practice.*
A strong pipeline and Columbia network in LA—88% of SiLA graduates stay and work in Los Angeles
Consistent rankings as one of the top schools for film and TV by “The Hollywood Reporter,” “Variety,” and “TheWrap”
*based on institutional surveys: See colum.edu/effectiveness for more
“As an employer of Columbia alumni myself, I bear witness to the fact Columbia College graduates immediately stand out because they are job-ready on day one.”
Paul Garnes ’96
Head of production, Array Filmworks; executive producer of the Oscar-nominated film “Selma”
“SiLA gave me a clearer path and connected me with the people who helped launch my career.”
Morgan McKinnis ’24
Sony Pictures Casting