Film and Media Arts MFA

Explore the expanding boundaries between filmmaking approaches, driven by choices of subject and style, and learn to take creative control with the MasterÌýof Fine Arts in Film and Media Arts in 51¶¯Âþ’s School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. With an emphasis on independent film and video, this 54-credit master’sÌýdegree will help you develop the skills necessary to become an incisive, socially conscious filmmaker and pursue a professional career in film, video or digital media.

Through exposure to both theory and practice, you’ll develop a fuller understanding of the history of film, the rise of video and interactive media, and research and screenwriting best practices. You’ll be given the option to choose from one of three tracks, including

  • media arts,
  • narrative and documentary filmmaking, and
  • writing.

You’ll also be required to complete up to six credit hours of thesis material, conceptualizing, developing, writing and ultimately creating a final creative project. Thesis projects take the form of a complete sound, film or video production; a feature film script; or a completed work in an alternative media form, including computer-generated media, interactive media, installations or newly emerging technologies. Taken together with the master program’s comprehensive exams, the curriculum’s synthesis of theory and practice serves to develop film and media artists with personal, informed voices.

As a Film and Media Arts student, you’ll have access to the department’s , including an array of film cameras. Learn more about Film and Media Arts Department facilities. Ìý

Film students talking while on a film set.

Concentrations

You can focus on Film and Media Arts or you can take one of the following concentrations.

  • Cinematic Arts: Narrative and Documentary

    Train to be an independent filmmaker working in documentary film, fiction film or a combination of forms. This theory-practice master of fine arts program uses faculty and peer critique, scholarly expository essays, studio instruction, and culminates with a final substantial thesis. Gain a formal education in the craft and theory of cinema while learning to articulate your creative and intellectual vision as an artist.

  • Media Arts

    Immerse yourself in new media, digital arts and installation-based audiovisual media and learn to work in galleries, museums, online and in community spaces. Gain a formal education in the moving-image arts while developing aesthetically and conceptually as a maker.

  • Screenwriting

    Study the screenplay in either conventional cinematic or serial form and learn to write screenplays for film, television or other media forms. Gain a formal education in screenplay craft and theory while developing your feature film script.

Classes & Curriculum

The Master of Fine Arts in Film and Media curriculum exposes students to the vast array of new media forms and expression, with an emphasis on independent film and video. Core courses include

  • Cinematography Workshop,
  • Film History and Theory,
  • Media Arts Theory-Practice,
  • MFA Colloquium (two terms),
  • Thesis Production Workshop,
  • Videography and
  • Writing for Media I.

Learn more about Film and Media Arts MFA courses.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51¶¯Âþ’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Fine ArtsÌýoffers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,221.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,634.00 per credit

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CA-FMA-MFA

Additional Program Information