Program Overview

Television Writing, MFA

The MFA in Television Writing is a two plus year program that is designed to enable the aspiring Television Writer to expand their artistic vision, hone their skills and build their writing portfolio in order to break into this growing and dynamic field and thrive once working in the profession. Students will graduate with a portfolio of three pilot scripts. In addition, each student will write, direct and produce a micro pilot for an original web series. Students will also learn how to work in collaborative writers rooms with show runners to break stories and build season arcs on both open ended and limited series.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A current resume
• A statement of purpose. Describe in a page or two why you are interested in this opportunity, how you would benefit, and what makes you a particularly deserving candidate.
• Video Pitch. This is one of the more important elements to your application. You have probably seen people pitching for donations on a crowd sourcing site. In this case, you should pitch us yourself as a candidate. You can mention a project you want to work on, or something else that is exciting to you but we are interested in who you are as a creative artist/storyteller. The video pitch should be creative, polished, inventive. We want you to win us over here! SUGGESTED LENGTH: 3 MINUTES
• Written materials:
  • All Candidates: The Scene. Write a short, 2-3-page scene inspired by one of these words that have no English language translation. We prefer a scene with two characters where one character wants something from the other, and that you do NOT explicitly use the word you have chosen.
  • All Candidates: The Logline. Write an extended log line or a paragraph describing a project you’d like to realize with us. Attach this logline to the bottom of your scene. Please note here as well: MFA in Television Writing.

Degree Requirements

The MFA in Television Writing requires a minimum of 45 credits. In addition to the minimum Graduate School requirements, the following are required:

Program requirements: 45 - 49 credits

• Required Core Courses: 19 credits
  • TVW 500 - Introduction to Graduate Studies 4 credits
  • TVW 501 - Film Tools 3 credits
  • TVW 537 - Production 1 3 credits
  • TVW 638 - Directing I - Principles of Directing 4 credits
  • TVW 650 - Screenwriting Workshop I 3 credits
  • TVW 660 - Acting Workshop for Filmmakers 3 credits (Southampton)
• Experiential Option: 3 credits
  • One or more of the following Experiential options:
    • TVW 591 - Independent Project 1-3 credits
    • TVW 690 - Professional Internship 3 credits
    • TVW 550 - Teaching Practicum 3 credits
• Required MFA Project & Thesis: 6 credits
  • TVW 691 - MFA Project 1-3 credits (Southampton)
  • TVW 692 - MFA Thesis Paper 1-3 credits (Southampton)
• Select six or more of the following (17-21 credits):
  • TVW 505 - Film Management I: Production Development 3 credits
  • TVW 510 - Film History I 3 credits
  • TVW 525 - Topics in Film 1-3 credits
  • TVW 526 - Topics in TV Writing 1-4 credits
  • TVW 536 - Forms of TV Writing 1-6 credits
  • TVW 575 - Adaptation Workshop 3 credits
  • TVW 576 - Film Workshop 1-6 credits
  • TVW 650 - Screenwriting Workshop I 3 credits
  • TVW 651 - Screenwriting Workshop II 3 credits
  • TVW 652 - Screenwriting Workshop III 3-6 credits
  • CWL 530 - Forms of Scriptwriting 3-4 credits
  • With permission of MFA Director, one additional course from Creative Writing and Literature (CWL 510 or above).

Residence Requirement

This program is normally completed in three years of full-time residency. Three credits must include Southampton residency, TVW 660 - Acting Workshop for Filmmakers (or course substitution, pending approval from Director).

University Requirements

The granting of master’s degree is based upon the completion of any special departmental requirements in addition to the items listed below:

• Courses and Grade Point Average
  • A student must maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average
• Registration
  • Degree candidates must be registered in the program granting their degree.
  • Students must be registered for the semester in which they intend to graduate.
  • Spring (May) and Fall (December) candidates must register for at least one graduate credit; Summer (August) candidates may register for zero credits in either summer session, but it still must be graduate level.
• Time Limits
  • The time limit for the MFA is three years for full-time study and five years for part-time study.
  • A student’s full- or part-time status is based on registration, and the time-limit may be modified if enrollment switches between part- and full-time.
  • The student may petition for an extension of time limit for the degree.
  • Such requests must be filed before the limit is exceeded and must contain a significant justification.