Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting

Master the art of screenwriting through individualized attention, in-depth workshops, and mentorship in the thriving creative culture of Austin, TX. Here, you can explore your storytelling passions as you develop your unique voice in preparation for a career in the entertainment industry. Youll practice the craft of both television and film writing and graduate with polished feature film screenplays, original TV pilots, TV spec scripts, and the tools to be a professional screenwriter. The Master in Fine Arts (M.F.A.) program in Screenwriting is a two-year (including one summer), 42-hour program designed for creative individuals with a strong commitment to storytelling for the screen. The program provides a foundation of narrative skills that enables writers to succeed in both film and television, in either the Hollywood or independent arenas. The program also offers a wide variety of electives in production, media studies and industry.
An internship in the film industry is required as part of the program of work, and past students have interned both in Los Angeles (at such companies as Vertical, Bad Robot, Hulu and HBO), locally at the Austin Film Festival, Austin TV Festival, SXSW and with Austin-based filmmakers Richard Linklater and Noah Hawley. Many internships are also offered virtually from Los Angeles and New York.

You must have completed a BA or BS degree (or will have completed one by the beginning of your first semester) in order to be admitted to the MFA in Screenwriting program in RTF.
Statement of Purpose: You can wait and upload this as a PDF on the MyStatus page -- Step 2.
Letters of Recommendation: You should provide names and email addresses for three recommenders. Please contact us if your recommender is not able to use this online method. It is acceptable to submit a professional reference if you've been out of school for a long time.
Statement of Purpose: Write an essay that explains your education and experience so far, your future goals, and how you think our program will help you achieve those goals. Rule of thumb is to keep this concise, no more than two printed pages, double-spaced. No other essay required.
Copies of Official Transcripts: The Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) require a copy of your official transcript from each college and/or university that you have attended. U.S. applicants who have taken coursework through an Exchange Program, Semester Abroad or Study Abroad, please contact an Admissions Counselor at GIAC (512-475-7391) to determine if you need an original transcript from the foreign institution. Once you are admitted, you will need to send a hard copy of the official transcript.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include education, work experience and internships, honors and awards, and publications or creative works.
Creative Writing Samples: Please submit one PRIMARY writing sample (completed feature screenplay OR 30- or 60-minute TV pilot) that best demonstrates your potential as a screenwriter. You may also submit a SECONDARY writing sample (feature screenplay, feature-in-progress, 30 or 60 minute TV pilot, spec TV script, short script, short story, or stage play). A secondary sample is NOT required. Please do not send adaptations unless it is your own work that you have adapted.
A grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or a comparable GPA in upper-division workjunior- and senior-level coursesand in any graduate work already completed is also required.
TOEFL: 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT)
IELTS: An overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination