Delivery Format: Online | On Campus
Total Credit Hours Required: 44
Approved Degree Plan: Click to download PDF
The Master of Fine Arts in Film-Television with a concentration in Script & Screenwriting, offered online or on campus in Virginia Beach, is a terminal degree program for professional writers. You will learn to write for film, television and stage. You'll also learn to remedy script problems, bring characters to life, and master plot and pacing with this on-campus and online MFA degree. Presented from a Christian worldview, this MFA screenwriting degree will provide you the opportunity to graduate with a minimum of three full-length scripts.
Students work with faculty to learn about academic requirements for publication, determine the topic/set-up of culminating projects, complete necessary preparation to begin projects, and arrange for committee assignments. Pass/No Pass.
Aesthetic experience in various media, including the relationships between morality and art, between beauty and truth seen through the lens of the Christian faith, provide an emergent media literacy.
Historical/critical investigation of the production of religious films both for specialized evangelistic and didactic purposes, as well as the religious dimensions of the secular film industry. Study for the latter will focus on the works of Bergman, Bresson and Dryer and modern ethical Hollywood directors such as Allen, Spielberg and Beresford. May be taken online if student can verify access to the films required.
Critical and historical study of film and television with a topical focus. Different areas of scholarly study will be examined each time the course is offered; may be retaken for the study of a new topic. Some of the recent areas studied include: Film and Television Comedy, the Western, Film Noir, African-Americans and Women and Hollywood.
Examines the structural components of plays and film scripts. Character development studied in relation to structure. Scenarios, treatments and a substantial amount of creative writing realized as the students work toward the development of a full-length work.
An exploration of the structural, thematic and character techniques in writing plays for the stage from the sketch to the full-length play. Emphasis is placed on developing a “theatrical” knowledge of conventions and imagery that is the exclusive realm of the live theatre experience from a writing standpoint.
Examination of the special circumstance of the short film script (less than 45 minutes running time). Students learn the narrative conventions of this format and write two film scripts through multiple drafts.
An analysis of the structural components of a variety of TV narrative program forms, such as situation comedies and hour-long dramas. Includes survey of markets and pitching techniques.
Builds upon the skills of SSW 510 Story Structure for Stage & Screen. Skills course that guides from the idea through treatment and step-outline to a finished first draft and the marketing of both the script and the writer. Special consideration given to format, story narration and dialogue polishing.
Various topics involving the writing of scripts for the screen, stage, or other media. Topics will be based on the strengths and interests of the instructor. Topics include, but are not limited to, narrative adaptation, genre writing, and writing for the Internet. May be repeated when topics vary.
Provides opportunities for practical and hands-on experience in a given area such as magazine, newspaper, public relations, performing arts, film arts and television arts. (Pass/No Pass) Note: See listing under specific Schools. All MFA or M.A. practicum have the 80 designation. Theatre practica also have a 681/781 designation.
An online two-credit course designed to help acclimate students to Regent University and online learning. It will provide the knowledge, resources and essential skills needed for success at the graduate level. Topics include academic writing, online learning, information literacy, and advising and support services. It may be required for some students as a condition of admission, and may substitute for UNIV LIB Information Research and Resources and/or ENGL 500 Graduate Academic Writing Seminar.
Priority Application Deadlines*
Admissions Process:
Step 1: Application
Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Application Fee
Option 1: Pay the $50 nonrefundable application fee online during the application process via our Miscellaneous Payments Form, or by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
Option 2: Attend a graduate School of Communication & the Arts on-campus or online information session to learn how to streamline your application process, discover financial aid resources and waive your $50 application fee.
Step 3: Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts*
We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcript from a U.S.-based school, which indicates successful completion of a bachelor's degree program, in order to review you for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcript to our Admissions Office by email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SCA Master's Application Pieces.
Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.
International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.
Step 4: Personal Goal Statement
Submit a 1 page Personal Goal Statement demonstrating an interest in a degree program from the School of Communication & the Arts. Please email to the Admissions Office at apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SCA Master's Application Pieces.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
Item |
Rates (2018-19) |
MFA in Film-Television — Script & Screenwriting Program |
$595/credit hour |
Course Infrastructure Fee |
$200/course (Fee discontinued from Session A 2017 for online students.) |
Technology Fee |
$300/semester |
Student Parking |
$100/semester (on-campus students) |
Council of Graduate Students |
$15/semester (on-campus students) |
Library Course |
$50 one-time fee (All students must register for this course to graduate.) |
Late Payment Fee |
$100 |
1. What is the GPA requirement for entrance into the school?
We require a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited university. The School of Communication & the Arts will make acceptance decisions based on the totality of the student's application file. We look at GPA, standardized test scores, the writing sample, references and the personal goals statement when considering someone for admission. If any one of these items is not strong the other pieces may help strengthen that applicant's file.
2. Are there scholarships available to help me finance my education?
Yes, the School of Communication & the Arts has merit scholarships which are competitive and based on a student's undergraduate GPA. See the Financial Aid section of our website for full details. We award financial aid monies on a first come, first served basis, so apply as early as possible for best chances at aid money.
Yes, upon acceptance you have up to one academic year to enroll. If you do not matriculate within one academic year, a new application will be required.
Oftentimes applicants will send us transcripts while in their senior year of school. The transcript is missing a final class or two, and thus the actual earned degree (B.A., B.S., etc.) is not posted on the transcript. Regent needs the final transcript where the degree earned has been clearly posted. Until we receive that final transcript your admissions file is still incomplete.
5. What is the difference between an M.A. and an MFA? Which degree should I pursue?
An MFA is a talent-based terminal degree. This represents the highest academic degree one could earn in the performing arts field (there is no Ph.D. in Acting, Directing, etc.). An MFA not only thoroughly credentials you in your field, but it is also a requirement to teach performing arts at the university level. An M.A., on the other hand, is a graduate degree which will still fully immerse you in your field and prepare you for your career, but since it requires less hours, it is not considered a terminal degree. Your future career aspirations should determine whether you pursue an M.A. or an MFA. If you have any doubt as to the best option for you, we would be glad to discuss this with you.
Our admissions office aims to have a decision made on your file within five business days from the time it is completed. All MFA and Ph.D. files are reviewed at one time annually by degree.
7. Am I required to go full time or may I study at my own pace?
Students are encouraged to go at the pace they are comfortable with. Many students hold full-time jobs and have families and are able to only take one or two classes per semester.