An independent directory of verified film degrees in the United States
California Institute of the Arts · School of Film/Video - Film Directing Program
A three-year MFA in narrative film directing organized around performance, structure and form, image and sound, theory and context, critique, professional development and interdisciplinary practice. Students make three to four short films in the first year and complete a thesis film followed by a graduation review.
| Field | Classification | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Film Directing | Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in this field. | Source: calarts.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Film Production | Broader film degreeA broader film degree whose official curriculum substantially covers this field. | Source: catalog.calarts.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Screenwriting | Broader film degreeA broader film degree whose official curriculum substantially covers this field. | Source: catalog.calarts.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
MFA degree in Film Directing focused on narrative filmmaking.
Source: catalog.calarts.edu · verified October 12, 2026We list verified film degrees only — no certificates, workshops or generic degrees with a few film electives. Eligibility rules
Thesis filmMFA thesis film followed by a graduation review.
Source: calarts.edu · verified October 12, 2026As listed on the program's official page on October 12, 2026. Listing does not mean a faculty member is teaching or supervising new students in a given year.
Source: calarts.edu · verified October 12, 2026Production and equipment costs: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
We never estimate a total cost when key expenses are unpublished. Compare production costs
| Material | Status | Instructions as published |
|---|---|---|
| Directing reel / sample | Required | Narrative directing sample of up to five minutes, standalone or excerpt; no composite reel.Length: up to 5 minutesSource: calarts.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Creative prompt / exercise | Required | On-camera recording, up to two minutes, of the applicant telling a true personal story, unscripted and unedited.Length: up to 2 minutesSource: calarts.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Other material | Optional | Optional additional work sample of up to five minutes.Length: up to 5 minutesSource: calarts.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Writing sample | Optional | Optional creative writing sample (critical writing, play, short story, treatment or screenplay), 2,500 words maximum.Length: up to 2500 wordsSource: calarts.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Test policy: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
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| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All students — Full-time BFA and MFA programsFrom the school's rate table for this level | $62,954 | per academic year · 2026-2027Source: calarts.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Partial funding
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Same degree level and field. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
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