Admission to the Program
Applicants must meet the minimum university requirements for graduate study. Admission to the program requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least a 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) in last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework. International students whose first language is not English should take the TOEFL examination to demonstrate proficiency in written as well as spoken English.
Previous exposure to film study, film and video production, or script writing is not required, although all applicants are required to show evidence of professional commitment and career direction related to their program of study.
Official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a 1,000-word essay on the applicant’s commitment to pursuing graduate study in the program are submitted with the application.
Admission is not limited to full-time students; however, students must be available to take most of their coursework during the day. Students will normally be expected to complete the 36-credit hour program within 24 months.
Incoming students must complete the summer “boot camp” courses of COMM-610 Principles of Video Production (3) and COMM-663 Techniques and Aesthetics of Editing (3) . The faculty committee retains discretion over student advancement to fall courses even if they pass either, or both, of the required courses.
Applicants with prior experience in visual media, who wish to be considered for a substitution of the required COMM-610 and/or COMM-663 courses, should submit a written request illustrating relevant coursework or professional experience. Those requesting a substitution of either or both of these required courses will be required to take and pass an exam. Students granted substitutions for either, or both, of these required courses take advanced coursework in order to fulfill those academic credits.
Qualified undergraduate students may apply to a combined bachelor’s/master’s program and utilize up to six credit hours of 500-level or select 600-level cross-listed coursework to satisfy the requirements of both degrees.
