MFA in Film - Writing for Film and Television in New York United States | Columbia University

Columbia University | New York United States
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Qualification
Masters Degree
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD 70,628
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
36 months

For decades, Columbia has earned its reputation as the "Story School." What sets our film program apart is our dedication to helping students discover their unique voices and craft engaging, well-structured narratives centered around compelling characters across various genres and markets. The newly introduced three-year Writing Program at Columbia continues this legacy, equipping aspiring writers with the skills to powerfully convey their stories, preparing them for professional success in screenwriting and television writing. Our graduates frequently secure representation and industry roles soon after completing the program—landing positions ranging from writers' rooms for popular TV series to creating original studio features, independent films, and international writing opportunities worldwide. What makes our program exceptional is its time-tested approach to storytelling, shaped by our faculty of active professional writers, with a foundation in long-form structure and multidimensional character development. Our consistent emphasis on storytelling fundamentals—voice, structure, dialogue, conflict, and characterization—has proven to be the most effective preparation for the ever-changing writing profession. Columbia doesn't mold writers into a single commercial style; instead, we celebrate diversity, embracing strong, distinctive voices from around the globe, each with their own storytelling approach and narrative vision.


Destination of Study

Subjects of Study

Language Requirements

English
IELTS 7.5

Qualification Requirements

Official Undergraduate Transcript

Official paper transcripts are not required for the admission application.  If you receive an offer of admission, you will be required to send official paper documents for verification. Any offer of admission will be provisional until receipt of the official undergraduate transcript showing conferral of your undergraduate degree. Whether we receive your official undergraduate transcripts directly from you or your undergraduate institution, we must receive them in a sealed envelope bearing the registrar’s stamp along the rear flap.

If (a) you have submitted only the unofficial copy of your transcript online or (b) your transcript is received, but does not state that a degree is conferred, your status will be“Received (Not Official)” and you offer of admission will be provisional  until we receive the final official transcript showing conferral of your undergraduate degree.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Online submission of letters of recommendation is required. Recommenders should be academic or professional contacts who can speak to your creative ability and potential; personal/friend references are not permitted. If you received a degree in the past 5 years, you must provide at least 1 academic reference from faculty at that institution. Once you save their contact information, they will be sent an email with instructions on how to upload your letter of recommendation.

Letters of recommendation must be submitted online by one week after the application deadline. Letters submitted after this date may not be reviewed.

Creative Materials Required for Application

Creative Materials vary by concentration. Please see below for a list for each concentration. All submitted creative materials must clearly bear the applicant's name, date of birth, name of concentration to which he or she is applying, and title of the material (dramatic writing sample, autobiographical essay, etc).
Responsibility for Materials

Please keep copies of all materials submitted. Do not send your only copy.

All materials included in a School of the Arts application become the property of Columbia University. The School of the Arts will not return any submitted creative materials. Applicants should note that the School is not responsible for the transportation and safekeeping of materials submitted for review; applicants send all materials at their own risk.

Tuition USD 70,628
New York City, NY, United States
Type
Private
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree

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