The two-year M.F.A. in Documentary Filmmaking is a program that is uniquely focused on feature-length documentary storytelling. In this program you will gain hands-on production experience, learn about the history and aesthetics of the documentary form, study documentary genres, and learn how to develop compelling, original content through a rigorous and creative development process.
In your first two semesters, you learn the fundamentals of the complete documentary production process from concept to distribution. In your last year you will collaborate on the production of a documentary project under the mentorship of accomplished documentary filmmakers. You will graduate with a compelling documentary and a thorough knowledge of the business to jumpstart your career in documentary filmmaking.
Learning Outcomes
In the M.F.A. in Documentary Filmmaking program, students will demonstrate:
- A mastery of documentary directing and storytelling skills, including the ability to visually and aurally tell a coherent and engaging story with a clear argument about real-world subjects and/or events.
- A mastery of documentary craft skills including shooting, editing, and sound recording, and the associated technology required for each.
- The ability to make informed decisions about representational and ethical matters regarding the subjects and/or events presented in their documentary work.
- The ability to fully and effectively research and develop their documentary projects prior to production.
Students pursuing the Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Filmmaking degree are held to the University’s Academic Policies and Procedures. In addition these specific degree standards apply:
- Complete 48 credits at the 500 or 600 level.
- Minimum grade “C+” or above required in all coursework.
- Maintain 3.000 GPA in the degree.
- Successfully complete a two-part thesis project, DOC 697, DOC 698.
- Pass an oral defense of the thesis project.
The following courses make up the MFA in Documentary Filmmaking curriculum:
First Year (24 credits) – Fall Requirements (12 credits)
- DOC 517 – Documentary Production I 3 credits
- DOC 521 – The Documentary Tradition 3 credits
- DOC 601 – Documentary Storytelling: Cinematography and Sound 3 credits
- DOC 663 – Writing the Documentary 3 credits
First Year (24 credits) – Spring Requirements (12 credits)
- DOC 526 – Documentary Research Methodology 3 credits
- DOC 551 – Contemporary Issues in Documentary 3 credits
- DOC 578 – Documentary Storytelling: Editing 3 credits
- DOC 617 – Documentary Production II 3 credits
Second Year (24 credits) – Fall Requirements (12 credits)
- DOC 670 – New Documentary Forms 3 credits
- DOC 697 – Thesis Production 6 credits
- Elective 3 credits
Second Year (24 credits) – Spring Requirements (12 credits)
- DOC 698 – Thesis Post-Production 6 credits
- Elective 3 credits
- Elective 3 credits
Electives
- DOC 503 – Producing Reality Television 3 credits
- DOC 516 – Expedition Documentary 3 credits
- DOC 523 – Transcultural Documentary 3 credits
- DOC 541 – Investigative Journalism 3 credits
- DOC 545 – Wildlife and Environmental Filmmaking 3 credits
- DOC 559 – Documentary Marketing and Distribution 3 credits
- DOC 575 – International Documentary Pre-Production 3 credits
- DOC 576 – International Documentary Production 3 credits
- DOC 577 – International Documentary Post-Production 3 credits
- DOC 580 – Community Voices: Documentary Workshop 3 credits
- DOC 589 – Cross-Cultural Documentary 3 credits
Total Credits: 48
