Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Writing for Film, Television, and Digital Media
Master degree
DURATION
6 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 1,615 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* per unit for international students / USD 1,407 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
The MFA program in Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media will fine-tune your ability to deliver compelling stories, characters, and scripts that grab the reader’s attention. The MFA is an intensive program that concentrates exclusively on writing, pitching, and the business side of being a professional writer. Complete a portfolio of feature and television scripts that can be used to market your skills as a writer.
Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Research
- Effectively conduct in-depth research and apply results to create authentic story worlds, characters, and dialogue
Story Development Skills
- Develop compelling stories
- Apply essential screenwriting tools to develop stories that are structurally sound
Critical Thinking
- Analyze story/script problems and find creative solutions
Written Presentation Skills
- Write well-developed treatments or outlines and synopses
Screenwriting Skills
- Demonstrate command of character development, dialogue, and subtext in work
Collaboration
- Effectively collaborate on multiple projects
Professional Readiness
- Submit professionally formatted and proofread scripts
- Demonstrate ability to receive and apply notes as required in the industry
- Demonstrate an awareness in work of what is commercially viable
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
As a graduate of our writing degree program, you will have the skills necessary for a range of industry opportunities. Our faculty, facilities, and hands-on learning approach are here to provide you with the tools you need to succeed in a professional screenwriter career.
Development Executive
Work with writers in preparing their movies for production.
Screen Writer
Create the blueprint for feature films. Originate the story, characters, and dramatic action in a motion picture or television series. Write scripts for feature films. Sell ideas and spec scripts as a freelancer. Get hired for an open writing assignment. Develop compelling story ideas, effectively pitch and sell those ideas, and deliver imaginative scripts that meet industry expectations.
Show Runner
Oversee all creative aspects of a television series.
Television Staff Writer
Work on the writing staff of a television show. Break stories and write/rewrite scripts. Collaborate with other writers and producers to develop compelling storylines for new and existing characters.
Unit Requirements
| Major | 36 |
| Directed Studies | 18 |
| Elective | 6 |
| Total | 60 |
Degree Requirements
- Successful completion of Final Review
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
- A minimum grade of C in all required 60 units
Curriculum
Semester 1
- MPT 618: Writer-Director Intensive 1 (Major)
- WRI 610: Creating Character & Backstory (Major)
- WRI 620: Screenplay Analysis (Major)
Semester 2
- ACT 669: Script Analysis (Major)
- GLA 714: Acting
- (Elective)
Recommended for summer - MPT 605: Film Language Studio (Major)
- WRI 660: Writing the Feature Film 1 (Fall) (Major)
Semester 3
- WRI 622: Screenwriting: Adaptation (Major)
- WRI 634: First Steps in Television (Major)
- WRI 665: Writing the Feature Film 1 (Spring) (Major)
Semester 4
- GLA 617: Mythology for the Modern World
- (Elective)
Recommended for summer - MPT 688: Development: Finding Material and Influencing Writers (Major)
- MPT 850: Content Creation: Production Central (Directed Studies)
- WRI 809A: Feature Film 2 (Fall) (Directed Studies)
Semester 5
- MPT 705: Breaking through the Noise of Social Media (Major)
- MPT 850: Content Creation: Production Central (Directed Studies)
- WRI 809B: Feature Film 2 (Spring) (Directed Studies)
Semester 6
- ACT 710: Into the Industry (Major)
- MPT 808WSD: Directed Study: Content Creation: Writing for Production: Shot In A Day (Directed Studies)
- WRI 809C: Advanced Screenwriting (Directed Studies)
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