FAQ
1. How do I transfer from another college/university to Notre Dame?
2. Do I need to apply to FTT in order to become a major?
3. Do I need to send videos or portfolios of my experience in film, television, and theatre in order for acceptance into the University of Notre Dame? Does FTT have anything to do with the decision of accepting my application?
5. May I minor in FTT? What about a supplemental major?
6. Are the requirements for a second major the same as for a first major?
8. If I need an authorization number to take a class, can it be emailed to me if I receive approval?
9. How strong is Notre Dame's FTT program in comparison with thsoe at other universities?
10. Can Saint Mary's students have a major in the ND FTT department?
11. How can Saint Mary's students register for FTT courses? What do they need to do?
12. May I participate in a play if I am not an FTT major?
13. What can my son or daughter do with an FTT major?
14. I am a business major but would like to major in FTT also. Is it possible?
15. Can I get credit toward my FTT major for courses taken abroad?
16. May I check out video equipment from the FTT Department?
17. How do I make arrangements for a campus visit?
18. What is the process for taking an internship during the summer?
19. Can an FTT major put Film Society credits toward fulfilling the major?
20. Is there an international requirement for the Television concentration?
21. Do any of the London Program classes count toward the television concentration?
Answers:
1. How do I transfer from another college/university to Notre Dame?
Check the Web page at admissions.nd.edu/transferapp/Instructions.cfm or contact the Admissions Office by phone at (574) 631-7505 and ask to speak with a transfer admissions counselor, who can provide answers to your questions about Notre Dame's requirements for transfer.
2. Do I need to apply to FTT in order to become a major?
If you are a potential transfer student, you will indicate FTT as your major selection on your transfer application. You must also visit the department to fill out paperwork.
If you are a current Notre Dame student, you must fill out a Student Academic Program Selection form if you wish to declare a major. You can obtain the form in the FTT departmental office or in the Office of Undergraduate Studies in 105 O'Shaughnessy Hall.
3. Do I need to send videos or portfolios of my experience in film, television, and theatre in order for acceptance into the University of Notre Dame? Does FTT have anything to do with the decision of accepting my application?
You need not send videos or a portfolio. The Department is not regularly involved in transfer acceptance or admission decisions.
4. Do I need approval to take classes at another institution, and if so, when do I need to request approval? What materials do I need to submit in order to take a course at another institution so I can receive credit toward my major here?
You need approval to take a course elsewhere for transfer to Notre Dame. If you plan to apply the course toward your FTT major, you will need departmental approval as well as approval from the Office of Undergraduate Studies. For courses you plan to apply toward a University requirement or elective credit, you need approval from the Office of Undergraduate Studies. You should request approval well in advance of registering for the course.
5. May I minor in FTT? What about a supplemental major?
Many students choose FTT as a second major, but there is no minor in FTT. Refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin for information on the minor in selected departments and programs.
6. Are the requirements for a second major the same as for a first major?
Yes.
The College of Arts and Letters provides a two-tiered advising system. The deans in the Office of Undergraduate Studies serve as general advisors throughout the three years in the college. Each department assigns a major advisor to students who are majors. In FTT, at the time you declare your major, a member of the department faculty is assigned to you as your FTT advisor. You may also request a specific FTT faculty member as an advisor.
8. If I need an authorization number to take a class, can it be emailed to me if I receive approval?
We no longer use authorization numbers. Over-rides and adjustment forms are now used. These forms are available at the departmental office in the Performing Arts Center, Room 230.
9. How strong is Notre Dame's FTT program in comparison with those at other universities?
The academic program in FTT at Notre Dame is one of the strongest undergraduate programs of its kind in the country. The major in FTT is taught within the liberal arts curriculum of the College of Arts and Letters, and is not intended to be a trade school for the film, television, and theatre industries. However, one way to compare programs is to look at the successes of recent graduates.
10. Can Saint Mary's students have a major in the ND FTT department?
No. While many SMC students take courses in FTT during the year, they cannot major in FTT at Notre Dame.
11. How can Saint Mary's students register for FTT courses? What do they need to do?
Saint Mary's students wishing to take a Notre Dame course should fill out an intent form at the Saint Mary's Office of the Registrar. The Saint Mary's registrar sends the intent form (or the student takes it) to the Notre Dame registrar. The ND registrar puts the student into the ND registration system; then the SMC student may use the ND registration system to obtain the course.
12. May I participate in a play if I am not an FTT major?
Absolutely! In fact, we encourage all students to participate in FTT productions. Theatre performances, both mainstage and in the lab theatre, are cast with both majors and non-majors. In addition, many key production crew positions are filled with non-majors.
13. What can my son or daughter do with an FTT major?
From pre-med to motion picture production, stage management to law school, a major in FTT prepares you for a myriad of job and graduate school possibilities.
14. I am a business major but would like to major in FTT also. Is it possible?
Yes. FTT as a second major is a very popular choice for many ND business students.
15. Can I get credit toward my FTT major for courses taken abroad?
Yes. Certain courses from programs abroad can apply to the FTT major. However, before registering for the course, you must get approval from the department chair. Contact the department office in the Performing Arts Center, Room 230, for more information.
For any Fine Arts requirement fulfillment, the course must be submitted to the Fine Arts Committee BEFORE the course is taken.
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16. May I check out video equipment from the FTT Department?
No, all film/video equipment owned by FTT is solely for use by students currently enrolled in FTT production courses. It is not for the use of the general campus community. We encourage those interested in using video equipment on campus to contact Academic Media Services.
17. How do I make arrangements for a campus visit?
If you are planning a campus visit and would like to visit the FTT Department, please contact Christina Ries at (574) 631-7054. Please give the Department a one- to two-week advance notice in order for Ms. Ries to schedule meetings with professors and a departmental tour. We also recommend that you contact Undergraduate Admissions and arrange for an Information session with them.
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18. What is the process for taking an internship during the summer?
Although we do not act as a placement service, we can help you in your internship search by looking over your resumé and cover letter and/or suggesting places to look. The Career Center can do this as well. If you are planning on doing a summer internship for academic credit, there are several things you must do:
1. Contact Karen Heisler to discuss your internship plans, then complete an application for FTT 35501, The Media Internship. Applications are available on the FTT website as well as in the FTT office.
2. Once you have secured an internship, notify Karen Heisler know so she can begin the registration process by authorizing an approval over-ride for registration.
Federal law requires that interns receive compensation in the form of pay or academic credit. Notre Dame cannot provide verification of academic credit —paperwork all internship providers require— until a student is registered for the course.
3. Students who are American citizens may currently register for FTT 35501 as a fall course, even though they will be participating in the internship during the summer. However, you must register for the class before leaving campus. We do not provide retroactive credit.
4. International students face more stringent requirements (the government's, not ours) and must register for the course either the semester before they take the internship or during the semester the internship occurs. We suggest you check with the office that handles your other paperwork so they can help you secure the proper documents.
5. Before students who are doing internships leave campus for the summer, they must:
a. Meet with Karen Heisler to discuss academic requirements;
b. Provide information on the internship to Karen Heisler;
c. Complete an application for FTT 35501, and an approval over-ride will be entered so that the student can-
d. Register for FTT 35501.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Karen Heisler at Heisler.4@nd.edu.
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19. Can an FTT major put Film Society credits toward fulfilling the major?
No. Film Society can count as an experiential course for college/university requirements, but it cannot count toward the required credit hours for the FTT degree.
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20. Is there an international requirement for the Television concentration?
No.
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21. Do any of the London Program classes count toward the television concentration?
Yes, they count the same as television elective courses at Notre Dame.
See also...
First Year of Studies