Course of Study
Graduate Film students work closely with industry professionals to develop and shoot personal narrative, documentary and commercial work.
Our program attracts a diverse community of storytellers. Traditional disciplinary boundaries melt away and collaboration among students and faculty from other disciplines encourages ideas to flourish.
The typical length of study for the MFA in Film is five full terms. The program may be completed in two years.
Curriculum subject to change.
For students entering Fall 2026
| TERM 1 - FALL | |
| Screenwriting: Writing Visually | 3 |
| Set Safety and Tech Training | 3 |
| The Filmmaker and the Script | 3 |
| Narrative Editing: Theory & Practice | 3 |
| Visual Narrative Workshop | 3 |
| Powerful Black Voices in Film | 3 |
| TERM 2 - SPRING | |
| Producing and Set Procedures | 3 |
| Advanced Acting Workshop | 3 |
| Cine Workshop: Lighting the Narrative OR Lighting for Cinematography | 3 |
| Thesis Writing and Research | 3 |
| Narrative Film Practicum | 3 |
| Color: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| TERM 3 - SUMMER | |
| Mid-Program Review | 0 |
| Written Thesis Creation | 3 |
| 9 credits of Studio Electives | 9 |
| TERM 4 - FALL | |
| Narrative Film Analysis OR Thinking Critically About Film | 3 |
| Completed Thesis | 0 |
| Selling Your Indie Film OR Narrative Editing: Workshop OR Advanced Cinematography | 3 |
| Business Affairs for the Filmmakers | 3 |
| 3 credits of Studio Electives | 3 |
| TERM 5 - SPRING | |
| The Poetics of Film Editing | 3 |
| Professional Preparation | 3 |
| Graduating Review | 0 |
| 9 credits of Studio Electives | 9 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total Required Units | 75 |