Cinema and Media Arts, MFA

54 credit hours

The Master of Fine Arts in cinema and media arts instructs students in the craft of motion picture production, the art of presenting compelling and important stories, and the study of shaping and understanding messages meant for mass consumption. Drawing from a background in communication theory, studio art, art history, creative writing, and media production, students should be able to develop meaningful pieces of cinema with critical awareness of their artistic and cultural context.

Students in the Master of Fine Arts in cinema and media arts will

1. Create films that are engaging, meaningful, and inventive works of cinematic storytelling.
2. Master the style and technique of filmmaking.
3. Become artistic entrepreneurs, capable of independently initiating and leading projects from concept to screen.
4. Build and draw on a broad knowledge of the arts in finding their own creative voices.
5. Become well versed in film theory and history and know their own creative influences and artistic context.

A graduate student in the College of Arts and Humanities may take only one tutorial or independent study course and may enroll in a maximum of nine graduate credit hours per semester. A student may not receive graduate credit for any course designated as a dually enrolled course, if that student received credit for the undergraduate version of that course.

Admission Requirements

Applications are initially reviewed by the Office of University Admissions to ensure all university admissions standards are met. An admissions decision will be made once all steps have been completed.

In addition to the requirements of all graduate students, applicants to the College of Arts and Humanities should complete and/or submit the following documents and information:

• Transcripts demonstrating completion of undergraduate degree in related field with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in all major coursework.
• The official results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may be required if GPA is below 3.0.
• Contact information for three academic and/or professional references.
• 1,000-word statement of purpose describing applicant’s goals.
• Specific deliverables depending on area of study, such as a writing sample and/or portfolio of work.

Candidates for admission are expected to demonstrate an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. They should also have completed undergraduate video or film production coursework, demonstrate equivalent basic proficiency, or be willing to enroll in leveling coursework upon admission.