Documentary Film Production

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Documentary Film Production introduces the fundamentals of nonfiction filmmaking in a small, supportive setting with industry professionals as mentors. Includes technical aspects of documentary filmmaking (producing, camera, and audio) and exposure to the history and theory behind the art. Students will develop, shoot, and edit an original short documentary film, as well as collaborate on various non-fiction productions, which can include work for clients, non-profits, and new media. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Film and Media Production is also available.

Details

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Academic Plan Code
5059
Total credits required
31 - 34
Catalog Year
2026 - 2027
What You'll Learn
  1. Produce independent nonfiction media using digital tools and technologies according to industry standards.
  2. Apply principles of story, cinematography, sound, editing, and art in the development of film and media productions.
  3. Integrate knowledge of historical and current trends in documentary film in the production of nonfiction work.
  4. Employ industry standards for safety and set etiquette in a production environment.
  5. Apply knowledge of industry roles and techniques for each stage of the documentary production cycle, from development through distribution.
  6. Demonstrate collaboration and inclusivity to promote an ethical and diverse work environment.
  7. Demonstrate qualifications and experience as a competitive film and media industry professional through a portfolio.
Career Statistics

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
$63,230
Film and Video Editors
$50,310
Producers and Directors
$60,490

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
FMP108 Video Production Critical course Gateway course 3
FMP111AA Scripting for the Media 3
FMP115 Introduction to Editing for Media 3
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL OR Equivalent coursework and/or experience approved by Program Director FYC or FYC 0–3
FMP125 Podcasting 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HUM212 or
FMP170		 Documentary Film or Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking HU, L or None 3
FMP114 Audio Production 3
FMP204 Advanced Video Production 3
FMP/FMT270 Documentaries for Social Change 4
FMP/FMT117 or
FMP208 or
FMP260 or
FMP/FMT294AC		 Introduction to Cinematography or Production Company Management or Film and Media Producing and Financing or Special Topics in Motion Picture, Television, Documentary, and New Media Production Select in consultation with Advisor or Program Director 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
FMP108 Video Production Critical course Gateway course 3
FMP111AA Scripting for the Media 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL OR Equivalent coursework and/or experience approved by Program Director FYC or FYC 0–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
FMP115 Introduction to Editing for Media 3
HUM212 or
FMP170		 Documentary Film or Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking HU, L or None 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
FMP125 Podcasting 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
FMP114 Audio Production 3
FMP/FMT270 Documentaries for Social Change 4

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
FMP204 Advanced Video Production 3
FMP/FMT117 or
FMP208 or
FMP260 or
FMP/FMT294AC		 Introduction to Cinematography or Production Company Management or Film and Media Producing and Financing or Special Topics in Motion Picture, Television, Documentary, and New Media Production Select in consultation with Advisor or Program Director 3

Courses Not Currently Offered

Glendale Community College does not currently offer these courses. These courses may be offered by other Maricopa Community Colleges as indicated below. Select the link to view current availability and whether courses are offered in person, online, or in a hybrid format. Tuition rates are the same across Maricopa Community Colleges, but course fees may vary.

Courses listed in this pathway map that are not currently offered at Glendale Community College
Course Number Course Name Offering Colleges
ENG107 First-Year Composition for ESL Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, Mesa, Phoenix, Rio Salado, South Mountain
FMP111AA Scripting for the Media Not currently offered
FMP125 Podcasting Not currently offered
FMP170 Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking Not currently offered
FMP204 Advanced Video Production Not currently offered
HUM212 Documentary Film Not currently offered
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • FYC = First-Year Composition
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts & Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
Official Curriculum Documentation
View catalog page
Catalog page: https://gccaz.catalog.maricopa.edu/programs/5059-GCC02
Disclaimer

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Documentary Film Production