Spend an immersive, unforgettable Spring semester exploring media industries and the rich history and artistry of Los Angeles, all while earning Cornell credits toward your degree.
CULA is open to students from any college and any major!
Cornell in Los Angeles is made possible by a generous gift by Liz and Randal Sandler.
Behind the Scenes
An Experience to Remember
- Open to all Cornell majors and colleges. Whatever you study, this program welcomes students who are ready to explore the entertainment industry up close.
- Stay on your Cornell timeline. The semester in Los Angeles runs January 25–May 10, 2027, perfectly aligned with the academic calendar in Ithaca.
- Study under faculty experts. Associate Professor Kristen Warner directs the program, guiding your coursework, supporting your growth, and connecting you with professionals and insiders across the industry.
- Live in the center of it all. Students stay in accessible, centrally located housing, with easy access to resources, culture and healthcare to support their well-being throughout the semester.
- Get out and experience L.A. Chartered vans and ride-shares make it easy to reach studios, screenings, and networking events across the city.
On Location
An Immersive Experience
- Go behind the scenes. Join roundtables with talent agents, managers, guild representatives, and other industry insiders.
- Tour Hollywood history. Explore the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' film archives, museum, and the Margaret Herrick Library — a treasure for film lovers.
- Watch the magic happen. Sit in on a sitcom or talk show taping, walk through a soundstage or post-production house, and take a classic studio backlot tour.
- Build your network. Connect with Cornell alumni in Los Angeles through special events hosted with the Cornell Club of L.A.
- Live L.A. Spend your free time discovering L.A.’s icons — the Getty Museum, the Santa Monica Pier, Disneyland, the Original Farmers Market, Watts Tower, LACMA, the Last Bookstore, Central Market & Angel Flight, and the Griffith Observatory.
Curriculum
Courses Tailored to the CULA Program
- PMA 2400: Industry Immersions (2 credits): Intensive, real-world experiences that bridge classroom learning with professional practice.
- PMA 3483: Performing and Media Arts in Los Angeles (4 credits): A deep dive into the artistic, historical, and socio-political dimensions of the entertainment industry.
- PMA 3482: Media Industries (4 credits): An analysis of business models, professional pathways, and the evolving landscape of media production and distribution.
- PMA 3999: Directed Study (4 credits): A mentored, student-driven project that applies classroom learning to real-world industry challenges. Examples of projects include research papers (archival, ethnographic, industrial, etc.); the writing of a play or screenplay based on research in Los Angeles; the development of a short film or design project.
Students selected for the cohort are required to take a 1-credit preparatory course, PMA 2401: CULA: Preproduction and Development, in the Fall 2026 semester.
Costs
CULA students pay standard Cornell full-time tuition and the equivalent of current dual-occupancy on-campus housing. Housing arrangements in Los Angeles are provided by the CULA program. Students are responsible for their own food costs, travel to and from Los Angeles, and any personal expenses. Students can apply financial aid toward their participation in the program.
The CULA program covers operational costs, program management, experiential learning opportunities, and other opportunities for CULA throughout the semester.
CULA Estimated Costs
| Budget Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cornell semester tuition, 2026-2027 | $35,633 (Endowed/Out-of-state) $24,005 (State)* |
| Housing fee (estimated) | $6,623* |
| Billable subtotal: | $42,256 (Endowed/Out-of-state) $30,628 (State) |
| Estimated domestic airfare | $800 |
| Estimated meals | $2,800 |
| Estimated local transportation | $400 |
| Estimated spending money | $1,000 |
| Non-billable subtotal: | $5,000 |
| Total: | $47,256 (Endowed/Out-of-state) $35,628 (State) |
*Estimate based on 2025-26 tuition and housing rates. Cost information will be updated for Spring 2027 in the summer.
Out-of-Pocket expenses are estimates based on similar programs and will vary based on lifestyle choices and personal preferences. Los Angeles has a significantly higher cost of living than Cornell and Ithaca and students should research the current cost of typical items such as meals or transportation in order to set a realistic budget for their personal expenses during their program.
If you are eligible for financial aid you will maintain your aid eligibility when participating in CULA, subject to the same terms and conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Similar to study abroad programs, a student’s estimated cost of attendance and financial aid offer may be adjusted to cover the additional cost of attending CULA. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment at finaid@cornell.edu for additional information.
Information Sessions
Monday, November 17, 2025
5:00pm
Film Forum, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
5:00pm
Zoom: https://cornell.zoom.us/j/99794688881?pwd=e1ObIfwlOCv6O2WPEkryIw7NrFVe1q.1
Monday, February 2, 2026
5:00pm
Film Forum, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
5:00pm
Film Forum, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
5:00pm
Zoom: https://cornell.zoom.us/j/99794688881?pwd=e1ObIfwlOCv6O2WPEkryIw7NrFVe1q.1
Applying to CULA
The CULA semester is Spring 2027. The application will open in April 2026.
Applications will be accepted April 1 – May 1, 2026.
Cornell in Los Angeles is open to all Cornell undergraduates in their second, third, or fourth year, with preference given to sophomores and juniors, PMA Majors, Minors, and students with a demonstrated interest in Performing and Media Arts.
- Cornell students from all colleges and majors are welcome to apply!
- Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are eligible to participate.
- Minimum GPA: 2.75
- Participants must live in provided housing.
Application Process:
- Complete application (available April 2026), including the submission of a personal essay, a proposal for your independent study, and one recommendation letter.
- Interview with Program Director
- Receive acceptance to the program, in May 2026
- Pay a non-refundable deposit of $300 to secure a spot in the program. CULA applies this to the housing fee. The remainder of the housing fee is due at a set date before the start of the semester.
- Students not accepted to the program may reapply the following year.
Questions? Reach out to Program Director Kristen Warner at cula@cornell.edu.