Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting

CSUN's Master in Fine Arts degree in Screenwriting is a two-year, 42-unit program dedicated to writing for television and film. Our focus is on developing the tools with which you will tell your original stories in your unique voice. And our full-time and lecturer faculty are all current or former industry professionals teaching in their area of expertise.

Your first semester starts with breaking a full season and writing a one-hour spec in a course run exactly like a professional Writers Room. Youll also analyze structural and story-telling techniques employed in the creation of compelling, entertaining feature-length films in various genres. And youll outline and write the first act of an original feature screenplay.

In your second semester, youll complete the first draft of your feature script, write a half-hour spec comedy and outline an original pilot and take a course in the history of cinema and television. And in our pedagogy course you will create a screenwriting class and teach one lesson from your syllabus.

The third semester includes writing an original one-hour pilot. Youll also write the first act of a second feature. And youll begin developing your thesis script for either television or film. Youll also take a course in producing for film or TV, both taught by former production/development executives.

Your final semester focuses on completing and polishing your thesis. Youll also do an internship and take a Business of Screenwriting course in which youll create decks and hone your pitch. The course also brings in writers, producers, executives, agents, attorneys, etc., via Zoom or in person to share their experience and thoughts on the life and craft of a professional screenwriter, how the business works, how to start and sustain your career and other relevant industry topics.

A bachelor\u2019s degree from an accredited college or university, and a proven record of success in courses focused on narrative or dramatic writing (with at least one or two such courses taken and a \u201cB\u201d average or better achieved in them).

Students lacking a sufficient academic or professional background in film or television may be expected to expand their knowledge of those fields through enrollment in courses assigned by the graduate advisor before admission into the program.

A 2.5 grade point average or higher in all undergraduate courses completed, including lower division and community college classes, and a 3.0 grade point average or higher in all cinema and/or television arts courses taken.

IELTS Academic - International English Language Test System: 6.5

PTE Academic - Pearson\u2019s Test of English: 58

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language: Internet Based score: 79; Paper-based score: 550

iTEP Academic - International Test of English Proficiency: 4.0

DET \u2013 Duolingo English Test: 105

Application deadline for Fall term is May 31st, Spring term is Oct 31st.