An independent directory of verified film degrees in the United States
Stony Brook University · Department of Creative Writing, Film and Television
A 45-48 credit MFA in independent filmmaking at the Stony Brook Manhattan Center, with Directing, Screenwriting, Producing and Independent tracks. First-year students take a lockstep core including a master class in independent film production and make short films; the program ends with a thesis project that can be a short, pilot or feature. Students own the intellectual property of work made in the program.
| Field | Classification | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Film Production | Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in this field. | Source: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Film Directing | Named concentrationPathway: DirectingAn officially named concentration, specialization or track inside the degree. | Source: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Screenwriting | Named concentrationPathway: ScreenwritingAn officially named concentration, specialization or track inside the degree. | Source: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Producing | Named concentrationPathway: ProducingAn officially named concentration, specialization or track inside the degree. | Source: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
MFA in Film focused on independent filmmaking with directing, screenwriting and producing tracks.
Source: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026We list verified film degrees only — no certificates, workshops or generic degrees with a few film electives. Eligibility rules
Thesis filmThesis project directed by the student (short film, webisode, pilot, proof of concept or feature), presented to an advisory board.
Source: stonybrook.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: stonybrook.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We never estimate a total cost when key expenses are unpublished.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 |
|---|---|---|
| Creative prompt / exercise | Required | Video pitch presenting the applicant as a creative artist; suggested length 3 minutes.Length: up to 3 minutesSource: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Screenplay sample | Required | A 2-3 page scene inspired by one of the listed untranslatable words, plus an extended logline for a project.Length: 2–3 pagesSource: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Directing reel / sample | Pathway-specificDirecting | Up to 4 video samples with a total running time of no more than 15 minutes; photographs or design samples may substitute.Length: up to 15 minutesSource: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Writing sample | Pathway-specificScreenwriting, Directing | Writing sample of up to 10 pages (short film, play, story, or excerpt of a feature or TV script).Length: up to 10 pagesSource: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Writing sample | Pathway-specificProducing | Writing sample of up to 10 pages such as critiques, production notes, criticism of a screenplay, or a statement on producing.Length: up to 10 pagesSource: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness. Build an application checklist
Funding / scholarship priority
January 15, 2027 · for Fall 2027
Source: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026Application deadline
Rolling admission · for Fall 2027
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| In-state — Graduate NYS resident tuition (Fall 2026 rate chart)From the school's rate table for this level | $471 | per credit · 2026-2027Estimate$21,195 = 45 credits × $471 per credit. Excludes mandatory fees, production and equipment costs, travel, and any rate change during the program.Source: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Out-of-state — Graduate non-NYS resident tuition (Fall 2026 rate chart)From the school's rate table for this level | $1,158 | per credit · 2026-2027Estimate$52,110 = 45 credits × $1,158 per credit. Excludes mandatory fees, production and equipment costs, travel, and any rate change during the program.Source: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Partial fundingPolicy year: Fall 2026
Lichtenstein-Reeves Prize prize
$1,000, applied toward tuition
Eligibility: Full-time fall applicants; a handful awarded
Source: stonybrook.edu · verified October 12, 2026Something out of date? Suggest an update · Represent this school? Claim the profile
Same degree level and field. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
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