College students can now major in YouTube. YouTube, the online video purveyor, announced Thursday that it is partnering with the USC School of Cinematic Arts and Columbia College of Chicago on a series of media programs to help U.S.-based YouTube users hone their digital media skills and accelerate their YouTube careers.
The YouTube-USC Creator Institute takes place from May 25 until June 22 in Los Angeles and will accept 10 students into the inaugural class. The YouTube-Columbia College Chicago Creator Institute, housed in the school’s Television Department, starts June 1 and ends on July 22 in Chicago and will also accept 10 students. Applications will be accepted through March 25.
The two courses will provide aspiring and rising content creators with educational courses and access to film, TV and video professors as well as industry leaders in an effort to educate students about the fast-changing media landscape.
Both programs will have online and on-campus components in which participants will earn a paid development experience, learn from a unique new media curriculum, use new media tools, build their audiences, and be promoted globally.
“YouTube is excited to partner with institutions like the USC School of Cinematic Arts and Columbia College Chicago to provide people using YouTube across the country with the opportunity to further develop their skills and careers in 21st century media,” Bing Chen, program lead, said. “Students accepted into the YouTube Creator Institute will engage with new media tools, learn how to build their online audiences, and promote their content globally.”
