The DePaul LA Quarter offers a unique opportunity for students to experience the inner workings of Hollywood first hand. This ten-week immersion program is structured around living in Los Angeles, taking classes on the historic Sunset Las Palmas Studio lot, and interning at high profile companies that align with students' professional aspirations. Through this experience, students learn how to navigate the studio system and build a network of professional contacts that will help them leave their mark on the entertainment industry.
The program is open to all current DePaul University graduate and undergraduate students with an interest in working in the film, television, and gaming industry.
We now offer the LA Quarter Program to
Alumni.
Dan Willis (MS '12)
Director (Grey's Anatomy,
Chicago Fire,
The Backlist)
Khaela Correa (BFA '18)
Development Assistant, Good&Done
Roberto Larios (MFA '17)
TV Literary Agent, Verve Talent & Literary Agency
Internships
Internships are a key step in gaining experience and opportunity in the film and television industry and because of this, they are the centerpiece of the LA Quarter program.
Participants are required to secure their own internship after they have been accepted into the program. Students who are proactive in their search usually have a variety of internships to choose from due to the number of opportunities in Los Angeles. Resume & cover letter support and internship leads are provided.
Past internships include: Warner Brothers, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Studios, Disney Studios, William Morris Endeavor, Panavision, Conan, Producers Guild of America, HBO, Logo, Benderspink, Jim Henson Company, Gary Sanchez Productions, Anonymous Content, CAA, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Bold Films, Funny or Die.
Courses
Participants in the LA Quarter will be enrolled in a set of industry-focused courses designed to maximize their experience in the program. All courses are held at the historic Sunset Las Palmas Studio Lot.
Undergraduate students will be enrolled automatically in the following courses:
Undergraduate students who participate in the summer session will only be enrolled in
FILM 298 Internship in Media Production / Post Production.
Graduate students will be enrolled automatically in the following courses:
*Graduate students who participate in the spring quarter will be enrolled in
SCWR 441 Industry and Pitching Seminar in lieu of SCWR 446 Filmmakers Seminar.
Housing
Participants in the LA Quarter reside in a fully furnished, two or three-bedroom apartment at Kapi at Ava Hollywood. This centrally located complex is across the street from the Sunset Las Palmas Studio Lot.
Amenities include:
- Gated, secure entrance
- In-unit washer & dryer
- Fitness center
- Reserved parking space*
*While not a requirement, it is highly recommended that you have access to a car due to the lack of public transportation options in Los Angeles.
Apply
The LA Quarter is offered throughout the academic year. Applying does not guarantee acceptance.
2025 CDM LA Quarter Program: Fall Quarter application:
Apply Now
Deadlines
- Fall Quarter – Application available April 15th / due in April 30th
- Winter Quarter – Application available September 15th / due September 30th
- Spring Quarter – Application available October 15th / due October 31st
- 10-week Summer Session – Application available January 15th / due January 30th
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements by the start of the LA Quarter program in which they intend to participate:
- Must be a current full-time student at DePaul University
- Undergraduate students must have junior year status (at least 88 quarter hours with at least 48 of these quarter hours completed at DePaul University)
- Graduate students must have completed 44 quarter hours towards current degree program
- Recommended: Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- International students interested in participating in the LA Quarter Program must check in with the
Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISS) before applying
Requirements
- Statement of Intent – This 2–3 page paper should focus on why you would like to participate in the LA Quarter, what you plan to do with your time there, potential internships you would like to pursue, and ultimately how this experience will help you achieve your long-term goals.
- Sample of Creative Work – Sample should coincide with your career aspirations. Please provide external links to short films/reels rather than uploading files.
- Two Faculty Recommendations – Provide the names of two DePaul faculty members that support your application. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted.
Tuition
Tuition for the courses associated with the LA Quarter will be in addition to the Program Fee.
Program Fee
Participants of the LA Quarter are required to pay a program fee that covers housing in a fully furnished apartment, studio tours, and networking events. This program fee will not exceed $6500.
The cost of tuition, food, personal expenses, and transportation to, from, and around Los Angeles are not included in the program fee.
Students who currently take advantage of financial aid may also be eligible for additional loans. The Office of Financial Aid will increase your cost of education for the quarter in which you participate in the LA Quarter to match the program fee. This will allow you to borrow an additional amount of either the Parent Plus Loan or Grad Plus Loan. For more information on this additional financial assistance and to see if you qualify, please contact the Financial Aid office:
-
Counseling Line:
(312) 362.8610 -
Fax:
(312) 362.5748 -
Email:
finaid1@depaul.edu
DePaul University
Office of Financial Aid -
Mailing Address:
DePaul Center, Room 9100
1 E. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-2287
Contact
For general inquiries about the program, please e-mail
DePaulLA@cdm.depaul.edu.
Alumni Program
The LA Quarter Alumni Program offers a unique opportunity for graduates of DePaul University to experience the inner workings of Hollywood first-hand. This ten-week immersion program is structured around taking a course on a historic studio lot, tours and networking events in Los Angeles, and interning at high profile companies that align with alum’s professional aspirations. Through this experience, participants learn how to navigate the studio system and build a network of professional contacts that will help them leave their mark on the entertainment industry.
Internships
Participants are required to secure their own internship after they have been accepted into the program. Students who are proactive in their search usually have a variety of internships to choose from due to the number of opportunities in Los Angeles. Resume & cover letter support and internship leads are provided.
Courses
LA Quarter Alumni participants will be enrolled automatically in the following course, which is held at the historic Sunset Las Palmas Studio Lot:
FILM 299
Housing
Participants in the LA Quarter Alumni Program are required to secure their own housing for the duration of the program.
Deadlines
-
Fall Quarter – Application available May 1st / due May 15th
-
Winter Quarter – Application available October 1st / due October 14th
-
Spring Quarter – Application available November 1st / due November 14th
-
10-week Summer Session – Application available February 1st / due Feburary 14th
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements by the start of the LA Quarter program in which they intend to participate:
- Must be a graduate of DePaul University
- Must be accepted into DePaul as non-degree seeking before eligible to apply for the Alumni LA Quarter Program
Non-Degree Student Application
- Apply to DePaul as a “non-degree seeking student”: Go to DePaul.edu → Click on “Apply” → Scroll to the middle of the page and apply under “Visiting and Non-Degree”
- Must be accepted into DePaul as non-degree seeking before eligible to apply for the Alumni LA Quarter Program
- 2 to 3 day turn around time for decision on non-degree seeking
- Must provide your acceptation notification with your Statement of Intent in the Alumni LA Quarter Application
- If you are not admitted into DePaul as non-degree seeking, you cannot be admitted into the Alumni LA Quarter Program
Requirements
- Statement of Intent – This 2–3 page paper should focus on why you would like to participate in the LA Quarter, what you plan to do with your time there, potential internships you would like to pursue, and ultimately how this experience will help you achieve your long-term goals.
- Non-Degree Acceptance from DePaul University – Should be attached with Statement of Intent.
- Sample of Creative Work – Sample should coincide with your career aspirations. Please provide external links to short films/reels rather than uploading files.
- Two Faculty Recommendations – Provide the names of two DePaul faculty members that support your application. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted.
Tuition
Tuition for the course associated with the LA Quarter will be in addition to the Program Fee.
Program Fee
Participants of the LA Quarter Alumni Program are required to pay a program fee that covers studio tours and networking events. This program fee will not exceed $1500.
The cost of housing, tuition, food, personal expenses, and transportation to, from, and around Los Angeles are not included in the program fee.
Contact
For general inquiries about the program, please email
mquinn@cdm.depaul.edu or
bkrochmal@cdm.depaul.edu