An independent directory of verified film degrees in the United States
Emerson College · School of Film, Television, and Media Arts
A two-year, 40-credit low-residency screenwriting MFA. Each semester opens with a six-day residency in Boston (fall) or Los Angeles (spring), followed by two mostly asynchronous online classes; students graduate with a portfolio of short and feature screenplays, a TV spec, an original pilot and critical essays.
| Field | Classification | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Screenwriting | Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in this field. | Source: emerson.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Low-residency screenwriting MFA for film and television.
Source: emerson.edu · verified October 12, 2026We list verified film degrees only — no certificates, workshops or generic degrees with a few film electives. Eligibility rules
PortfolioProfessional portfolio: short screenplays, a feature screenplay, a TV spec script, an original pilot, an additional script and critical essays.
Source: emerson.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: emerson.edu · verified October 12, 2026Equipment access: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
Travel and residencies
We never estimate a total cost when key expenses are unpublished. Compare production costs
| Material | Status | Instructions as published |
|---|---|---|
| Writing sample | Required | 15 pages maximum of screenwriting (with loglines), dramatic writing, or a combination.Length: up to 15 pagesSource: emerson.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness. Build an application checklist
| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All students — Graduate tuition per creditFrom the school's rate table for this level | $1,551 | per credit · 2026-2027Estimate$62,040 = 40 credits × $1,551 per credit. Excludes mandatory fees, production and equipment costs, travel, and any rate change during the program.Source: emerson.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Partial funding
Something out of date? Suggest an update · Represent this school? Claim the profile
Same degree level and field. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
FilmSchools.app is independent and not affiliated with Emerson College. Information is collected from official pages and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.