MFA Film Curriculum

Students are admitted to the MFA program in one of three tracks: Creative Producing, Screen and TV Writing/Directing, and Writing for Film & Television. Students in all tracks share a common curriculum in their first year in the program. In the second year, each track leads to advanced coursework, and each concentration has its own course and thesis requirements. CP and WFTV students are assigned to advisors before the end of their first year. Screen and TV Writing/Directing students are asked to declare their concentration in their second year so that advisors can be assigned for thesis work. Students who choose the Screen and TV Writing concentration have the option to specialize in TV Writing. Screen and TV Writers and Directors may change concentrations within their track if they have taken the necessary required courses and have the permission of the new concentration. Students can only switch tracks by applying as part of the general Admissions process before the end of their first semester. If they are accepted into another track, they will complete the first year with their original track, then switch at the beginning of their second year. Switching tracks is not allowed under any other circumstances.

Students must complete the required 60 credits of coursework in two years (four semesters) of full-time study, taking at least 12 credits each semester. It is recommended that a student enrolls in at least 15 credits per semester to assure completion of 60 credits within four semesters (the School of the Arts’ flat-fee tuition allows students to register for 12 to 18 credits in a semester). The first semester includes 18 credits of required courses, so you will not register for electives until the spring term. Thesis work, which follows the completion of 60 credits, continues for one to two years under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students maintain full-time student status during thesis years by registering for Research Arts status each semester until they graduate.