Program Overview

MFA in Documentary Film

The MFA in Documentary Film is a graduate program that provides students with advanced training in the art and craft of documentary filmmaking.

Program Overview

The program is designed to equip students with the theoretical, aesthetic, and technical principles of documentary filmmaking, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the industry.

Course Offerings

The program includes a range of courses, including:

• Advanced Cinematography and Sound: This course provides instruction in advanced cinematography, sound, and lighting techniques.
• Advanced Story Editing: This course teaches the theoretical, aesthetic, and technical principles of non-linear editing for documentary.
• Cinematography and Sound: This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of visual storytelling techniques.
• Documentary History: This course examines the historical development of documentary film from its roots in 19th-century art forms to the present.
• Documentary Law and Ethics: This course explores the legal and ethical issues that can arise in the course of documentary filmmaking.
• Documentary Storytelling I: This course provides an introduction to the fundamental theory and craft of non-fiction visual storytelling.
• Documentary Storytelling II: This course teaches students how to research, conceptualize, and develop a non-fiction story idea.
• Documentary Storytelling III: This course focuses on advanced principles of writing, producing, directing, and editing the documentary.
• Fundamentals of Documentary Editing: This class focuses on the theoretical, aesthetic, and technical principles of non-linear editing for documentary.
• Professional Seminar: Entrepreneurial Filmmaking: This course provides students with the foundation knowledge and tools to start their own creative venture.
• Professional Seminar: Teaching in Higher Education: This course provides an understanding of pedagogical practices and major theories of curriculum.
• Social Media and Marketing in the Creative Arts: This course takes a deep dive on how social media is changing the way creators produce and engage with their audience.
• Teaching Practicum: Students work closely with faculty during the teaching of a course, participating in the design and development of course material.
• The Imagination Project: This project pairs documentary film program graduate students with undergraduates from multiple disciplines to produce short digital films, e-books, and other forms of transmedia.

Program Details

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in documentary filmmaking, including the theoretical, aesthetic, and technical principles of the craft. The program includes a range of courses, as well as opportunities for students to work on their own projects and collaborate with other students and faculty.