Graduate School Bulletin

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 cr.

TVW 501 Film Tools, 3 cr.

TVW 537 Production I, 3 cr.

TVW 638 Directing I, 3 cr.

TVW 650 Screenwriting Workshop, 3 cr.

TVW 660 Acting Workshop, 3 cr. (SOUTHAMPTON)

Experiential Option: 3 credits

One or more of the following Experiential options:

TVW 591 Independent Project

TVW 690 Professional Internship; or

TVW 550 Teaching Practicum, 3 cr.

Required MFA Project & Thesis: 6 credits

TVW 691 MFA Project, 3 cr. (SOUTHAMPTON)

TVW 692 Thesis, 3 cr. (SOUTHAMPTON)

Select six or more of the following (17-21 credits):

TVW 505 TVW Management I

TVW 510 TV Writing History

TVW 526 Topics in TV Writing

TVW 536 Forms of TV Writing

TVW 575 Adaptation

TVW 525 Topics in TV Writing

TVW 576 TV Writing Workshop

TVW 651 Screenwriting Workshop II

TVW 652 Screenwriting Workshop III

CWL 530 Forms of Scriptwriting

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 for Directors, (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.