Theater- Acting (MFA)
- Design for Theater and Entertainment Media (MFA)
- Directing (MFA)
- Playwriting (MFA)
- Theater and Performance Studies (PhD)
- Theater (MA)
- Theater (Minor)
- Undergraduate Theater Program (BA)
- Film, Television and
Digital Media - Animation (MFA)
- Cinema & Media Studies (MA)
- Cinema & Media Studies (PhD)
- Cinematography (MFA)
- Moving Image Archive Studies (MA)
- Producers Program (MFA)
- Production / Directing (MFA)
- Professional Programs: Screenwriting & Producing
- Screenwriting (MFA)
- Undergraduate Film, Television and Digital Media (BA)
- Film (Minor)
Courses in Playwriting MFA
MFA DEGREE IN THE THEATER PLAYWRITING PROGRAM
EFFECTIVE FALL 2003
The Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting is a three year program that trains and nurtures dramatists whose purpose is to transform how we see and understand the world. Playwriting faculty includes successful writers whose work has been professionally produced throughout the country. In the first year, playwrights complete two short plays and a full length play. In the second year, playwrights complete a second full length play, a One Person play, and an additional writing project such as an adaptation for the stage or a screenplay. The third year typically includes an internship with a professional theater or film studio, or comparative environment.
Typically student written plays are selected for further development through a process that may include one or more of the following: classroom discussion, staged readings, an intensive dramaturgical process, a script development workshop with directors, actors and designers culminating in studio workshop productions, or full production. When scheduled, student plays may be selected for inclusion in the Department's Francis Ford Coppola One Act Marathon or New Play Festival. Playwriting area studio projects and readings are generously supported by the Marianne Murphy Women & Philanthropy Award in Playwriting. In addition, the Audrey Skirball-Kenis Foundation has provided generous Playwriting Fellowships.
Degree Requirements
Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve units per quarter. Required courses will be scheduled to permit completion within a three-year period. In addition to the successful completion of required courses, candidates for the degree must pass comprehensive examination, including a critical evaluation of writing projects which demonstrate professional competence.
A total of 23.5 courses (94 units) are required for the degree; of these 20.6 courses (82 units) must be graduate level (200-and 400-series courses). Only 12 units of 596 courses may be applied toward the total number of units for the degree and the minimum graduate course requirement.
Course Requirements Units
- A. Background Courses:
- 205A Background of Theatrical Art, 4 units
- 205B Background of Theatrical Art, 4 units
- 205C Background of Theatrical Art, 4 units
- 232 Manuscript Analysis, 4 units
- Total: 16 units
- B. Core Courses:
- 230A Advanced Playwriting, 4 units
- 230B Advanced Playwriting, 4 units
- 230C Advanced Playwriting, 4 units
- 231 Special Topics in Playwriting, 4 units
- 430A Advanced Studies in Playwriting, 8 units
- 430B Advanced Studies in Playwriting, 8 units
- 430C Advanced Studies in Playwriting, 8 units
- 431 Special Topics in Playwriting, 4 units
- Total: 48 units
- C. Projects & Production:
- C433A Script Development Workshop, 8 units
- C433B Script Development Workshop, 4 units
- C433C Script Development Workshop, 8 units
- C472 Production & Performance, 2 units
- Total: 22 units
- D. Internship:
- 498 Professional Internship in Theater, Film & Television, 8 units
- Total: 8 units
- TOTAL REQUIRED UNITS: 94
- E. Electives
- Share This
- Permalink
Additional adviser-approved courses may be arranged in consultation with each student to expand knowledge or experience in areas where additional work is deemed necessary or to allow exploration of fields of interest where qualified by prerequisite.
Looking for more courses? View All Courses
SCHOOL Calendar | Profiles | News | Videos | Employment Opportunties
PROGRAMS Programs in Theater | Programs in Film, Television and Digital Media
INFORMATION About TFT | Admissions | Contact | Courses | Facilities | Faculty | Giving | Intranet
CREATIVE DIRECTORY Select Alumni Works | Select Faculty Works | Select Student Works