Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of storytelling required for film, television, and a new and emerging media by developing a portfolio of screenplays and teleplays in which structure, character development, dialogue, tone, and theme are clearly demonstrated. 

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of industry standard communication through the practice and execution of pitching and oral/written presentation. 

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of why diverse stories matter, the value of ethical and humanistic themes and the importance of constructive collaboration in the writer’s room. 

M.F.A. Writing and Producing for Television

The goal of the M.F.A. program in Writing and Producing for Television is to train hyphenates–writer-producers–who will become the creative leaders of television programming. Progressing from the core courses, the television writing student must complete a portfolio, which consists of a “spec” teleplay (either comedy or drama), two original television pilots (one-hour and half-hour), and write and produce a short digital project that is representative of a larger work. Students can also take writing electives such as transmedia, video-game writing, or playwriting. Proper sequencing of major requirements is indicated by prerequisites of individual courses and as noted in the outline below. Please consult assigned academic advisor.

Students must maintain a “B” (3.0) average to remain in good academic standing. Students who fall below a B average will be placed on academic probation and will have one semester to bring their grade average up to a B.

At the end of the first and third semesters, students are required to attend an MFA Performance Review with the department faculty to discuss his/her overall cumulative progress in the program. Letters will be sent to each student following this meeting to say he/she is either performing in an exceptional way, a satisfactory way, or an unsatisfactory way. In the last case the student will be placed on academic probation. Academic probation will require another meeting at the end of the following semester. If the student does not meet the required standards, he/she will be dismissed from the program.

M.F.A. in Writing and Producing for Television Requirements

First Year

Second Year

Third Year