Program Overview

Associate of Fine Arts Degree in Screenwriting

The Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree in Screenwriting program at NYFA Los Angeles is designed for aspiring storytellers to build creative and technical skills. Through a hands-on approach, students develop their natural storytelling abilities and learn to create compelling story structures, characters, conflict, and dialogue within their screenplays.

Program Overview

The program is offered at the NYFA Los Angeles campus and takes approximately one year and four months to complete. Students learn to write a screenplay, developing their best ideas and concepts into refined, polished work. Guided by faculty who actively work in their respective fields, screenwriting students also learn to confidently pitch, produce, and sell their original projects.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the AFA in Screenwriting program includes:

• Intensive classes to develop writing skills across multiple media
• Skill-building classes in story generation and genre studies
• Business and pitching classes to prepare students for the industry
• Training and personalized guidance from experienced faculty and staff
• Access to camera, sound, and lighting equipment, as well as a digital license to Final Draft screenwriting software
• Exclusive guest lectures from industry leaders

Degree Details

• The AFA degree in screenwriting is a four-semester program.
• Students complete multiple projects in a range of media, including two features, a television spec script, an original TV pilot, and a final capstone script.

Projects

• AFA students write two features, a television spec script, an original TV pilot, as well as a one-act page or short play.
• They also develop, plot, and write a final capstone script, either another feature film screenplay or an original TV series proposal and pilot script.

Locations

• The AFA in Screenwriting is available at NYFA's campus in Los Angeles.
• Qualified candidates can complete a 1-Year Certificate Program at NYFA New York, then apply for their work to be accepted for advanced standing in the AFA degree at NYFA Los Angeles.

Tuition and Fees

• Tuition: $19,500 per semester
• Additional fees include:
  • Technology Fee: $80 per semester
  • Wellness Services & Programming Fee: $145 per semester
  • Activity Fee: $125 per semester
  • Orientation Fee: $150 (domestic students), $200 (international students)
  • Graduation Fee: $100
  • International Student Fee: $200 (first semester), $120 (each subsequent semester)

Start Dates

• August 2026

Program Duration

• 4 semesters

Faculty Highlights

• Interview with Los Angeles Chair, Nunzio DeFilippis

Alumni

• Shivani Rawat, Producer | Writer

Featured Content

• NYFA New York Screenwriting Faculty: Interview with Randall Dottin
• NYFA Los Angeles Screenwriting Faculty: Interview with Nunzio DeFilippis
• NYFA WELCOMES SCREENWRITING ALUM AND MARVEL STUDIOS DIRECTOR MOHAMED DIAB TO LOS ANGELES FOR Q&A

News & Highlights

• Please note: Equipment, curriculum, and projects are subject to change and may vary depending on location. Students should consult the most recently published campus catalog for the most up-to-date curriculum.