Steven Spielberg earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University at Long Beach in 2002, after leaving the school in 1965 a few credits short. He studied under a pseudonym and remotely, and the school waived the requirement for a 12-minute film submission. On graduation day, the school band played the Raiders of the Lost Ark soundtrack when his name was called.
Steven Spielberg has won Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes and lifetime achievement awards. He has also received honorary degrees from prestigious universities such as Yale. And in 2002, the director was finally able to add a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University at Long Beach to his long list of honors. Spielberg began studying there in 1965, but left after three years, just a few credits short of a film studies degree. More than three decades later, at age 55, he finally met all of the course requirements and earned his college diploma. When the name “Steven Allen Spielberg” was called, the director walked across the stage wearing his cap and gown, just like all of the other Cal State students who were graduating that day.
Read more about the famous Cal State graduate:
Cal state administrators allowed Spielberg to sign up under a pseudonym and take classes remotely, so that professors could objectively critique his work. The administration also asked fellow students to refrain from pitching film ideas to the famous director on graduation day.
The school waived the requirement that seniors submit a 12-minute film before graduation, deciding that Schindler’s List would be adequate in Spielberg’s case.
When Steven Spielberg’s name was called, the school band sang a 15-second rendition of the Raiders of the Lost Ark soundtrack. Spielberg held up two fingers in a “V for victory” gesture, but didn’t comment.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
