BIG CHANGE FOR FALL 2026
One option for all!
For 2026, prospective students will apply to the program in ONE OPTION which combines all three previous options – ACTING, WRITING and CONTENT CREATION.
All students follow a road map that includes a core curriculum spanning all three disciplines across TV, Film and Theater. In year two, the program offers flexibility for students to steer their own journey based on individual interests and aspirations. The final year culminates in a capstone project that reflects and synthesizes the skills, vision, and collaborations you’ve cultivated throughout the program.
The MFA in TVFT Degree Program
Requirements for the Degree (58 units): A total of 58 units are required, with 31 units of core courses, 3 units of Culminating Project, and 24 units of "option" requirements.
The new program looks to add core courses for all, and make it possible for students to take classes across all mediums and disciplines within the program. Look for that Program change coming soon!!
'Option requirements' refer to the specific courses in Acting, Writing and Content Creation previously offered only to those in that cohort. With the reimagining of the program, these courses are now available to all enrolled MFA students.
Students are expected to maintain 3.0 GPA and a B grade or better in all core courses. Consultation with a graduate adviser is required for the development and approval of a graduate program, which includes the following courses:
These Core classes are taken by all students in the program. Red indicates a change coming - see below.
- TVFT 5100 - Immersion: Theatre (3)
- TVFT 5110 - Immersion: Film/Television (3)
- TVFT 5120 - Playwriting: One Act (3)
- TVFT 5150 - Teacher Training
- TVFT 5161 - Acting Studio I (3)
- TVFT 5170 - Theatrical Producing and Management
- TVFT 5180 - Visual Concepts in Theatrical Design (3)
- TVFT 5190 – Directing: Theatre (3)
- TVFT 5202 – Building a Professional Practice (3)
- TVFT 5221 – Writing a Short Film (3)
- TVFT 5275 - Television Production (3)
- TVFT 5290 – Directing: Camera (3)
- TVFT 5300 - Production Activity (2)
- TVFT 5430 - Narrative Live Space (3)
- TVFT 5500 – MFA Seminar (1,1)
- TVFT 5650 - Thesis Writing Preparation (3)
- TVFT 5950 - Entertainment Arts Internship
- TVFT 5995 - Culminating Project (3 units)
CHANGES TO CORE (pending):
- TVFT 5150 Teacher Training will no longer be a core class. It will however, be offered as an elective for all interested.
- TVFT 5170 will no longer be a core class, TVFT 5180 Visual Concepts in Theatrical Design will be offered as a replacement
- TVFT 5950 Internship will no longer be a core requirement. TVFT 5500 MFA Seminar replaces the one unit of Teacher Training and Internship
- Classes added to Core for all in new program include:
- TVFT 5190 Directing: Theatre
- TVFT 5221 Writing a Short Film
- TVFT 5290 Directing: Camera
As the new program rolls out, these are the Option courses that will be offered consistently for all.
Acting Option Courses:
- TVFT 5141 - Movement I: Contemporary Dance (3)
- TVFT 5151 - Voice I (3)
- TVFT 5162 - Acting Studio II (3)
- TVFT 5265 - Acting for the Camera (3)
- TVFT 5420 - Viewpoints (3)
- TVFT 5244 - Stage Combat (3)
Content Creation Option Courses:
- TVFT 5227 - Feature Writing (3)
- TVFT 5280 – Cinematography (3)
- TVFT 5281 – Sound Recording and Design (3)
- TVFT 5282 – Editing (3)
Writing Option Courses:
- TVFT 5160 – Writer’s Room (3)
- TVFT 5225 – Writer’s Workshop: Playwriting (3)
- TVFT 5226 – Writing TV Pilot (3)
- TVFT 5121 – TV Spec Writing: Sitcom (3)
Roadmaps
The roadmaps are suggested guidelines as to the classes you can expect to take each semester in each of the three years of the program. They are not rigid requirements, and course offerings do sometimes fluctuate from the roadmap for various reasons.