Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Film and Television
Boston, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 1,402 / per credit **
STUDY FORMAT
Blended
* Priority decision: February 1.
** additional fees may apply. Scholarships are available
Key Summary
Introduction
Emerson’s low-residency Writing for Film and Television MFA teaches you to write for film, television, and other emergent forms of media across multiple genres. Build a professional-caliber writing portfolio with original feature, pilot, and short screenplay samples.
Our faculty consists of filmmakers, producers, screenwriters, and theorists who will mentor and guide you through your online courses. Each semester begins with a six-day residency on our Boston or Los Angeles campus, where you'll participate in workshops, screenings, lectures, and a Master Class with a guest lecturer. Previous lecturers have included Krista Vernoff, Showrunner for Grey’s Anatomy, David Magee, Writer of Life of Pi, Mara Brock Akil, Creator of Being Mary Jane, and more.
Emerson’s Writing for Film and Television MFA professors guide you through the writing process from your initial story idea to the final draft of each script. Acting as mentors throughout your program, your professors will meet with you regularly to discuss your career goals, advise you as you create your professional writing portfolio, and help set you up for success after graduation.
Each semester you will work with a professional guest lecturer at an in-person Master Class. The rest of your course will be online, allowing you the flexibility to earn your MFA from anywhere.
Program Highlights:
- Low-residency format with six-day residencies in Boston or LA each semester, followed by online coursework.
- Learn from Hollywood professionals through master classes, screenings, and pitch sessions.
- Complete the program in two years, with no GRE required.
Ideal Students
Who Should Apply?
Emerson’s low-residency Writing for Film and Television graduate program enrolls a cohort of students from a wide range of backgrounds and geographical locations within the United States. Housed in the School of the Arts, our program attracts students who have majored in, work in, or have a passion for writing, reading, movies, television, and/or theatre. After graduation, our students pursue careers in screenwriting for TV and film, playwriting, novel writing, podcasting, copywriting, production, and development or content creation.
Admissions
Curriculum
Emerson College’s low-residency Writing for Film and Television graduate program requires the completion of 40 credits. Housed in the School of the Arts, the program begins with a weeklong residency each semester, which will be held on either our Boston (Fall) or Los Angeles (Spring) campus.
Following the residency, you will take two online classes each semester. Online classes are primarily asynchronous, with some synchronous elements included. As an MFA candidate, you will complete a professional-caliber portfolio that contains the following:
- Short Screenplays
- Feature Screenplay
- Television Spec Script
- Original Television/Cable/Streaming Pilot
- Additional Script (Pilot or Feature Screenplay)
- Critical Essays
Program Outcome
Career Outlook for Writing for Film and Television Graduates
After earning an MFA from the School of the Arts’ Writing for Film and Television program, graduates will contribute to an arts and culture industry that added $1 trillion to the US economy alone from 2020 to 2021. Graduates who pursue a career in writing for film and television will enjoy networking opportunities offered exclusively by the College. After graduation, our students have pursued careers as:
- Authors;
- Editors;
- Executive Producers;
- Podcast Hosts/Producers;
- Showrunners;
- Writers.
Writing for Film and Television Alumni
Our alumni have gone on to have successful careers in the film and television industry. Recent notable alumni include:
- Nicole Savini, Co-Executive Producer of Tooning Out the News on Paramount+
- Kelly Edwards, Author of Secrets From the Executive Chair
- Jessica Hill, Director of Advertising at Warner Media
- CJ Ehrlich, Writer & second-place winner at the Ivy Film Festival, for the been script of Loser Island
- Kylie Rolincik, finalist for National Lampoon and Stage 32's Search for Comedy Writing Gold
- Willie Block, Co-Author of Prowl
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Career Outlook
Students interested in a career writing for film and television will enjoy networking opportunities offered exclusively by Emerson College. Our students have graduated and gone on to successful careers as:
- Executive Producers
- Showrunner
- Podcast Hosts/Producers
- Writers
- Editors
- Authors