M.F.A. degree program in television production
HEGIS code 0603
NYS SED program code 84002

The M.F.A. in television production provides students with the theoretical and practical background needed to become writers, directors and producers across platforms: from the established media industry to the evolving movement of independent television. We encourage our students to tell their own stories, develop their own audiences and to build their own networks. The program explores the larger social and cultural contexts which frame creative endeavors and emphasize critical analysis of media and history of visual storytelling. Our multi faceted curriculum exposes students to a wide range of existing genres of fiction and nonfiction storytelling as well as introduces them to new and evolving forms, such as virtual and transmedia storytelling. Students move seamlessly between single and multiple camera formats. They write, research, develop, direct and produce fiction and nonfiction narratives, comedy and drama pilots, documentaries and webisodes, and utilize our high definition television studio to create live-streaming internet broadcasts. Our incoming students bring to the classroom a wide range of ideas, skills and backgrounds. Many are experienced visual storytellers, others are writers and artists with little production experience. Together they are determined to find the appropriate artistic expression of their viewpoints and beliefs about the world.

Program Heads

Please contact the department for information on academic advisers and office hours.

This program is currently not accepting applications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matriculation requirements
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicants must offer a well-rounded undergraduate record of at least a 3.0 GPA that suggests promise as a creative communication professional. Each applicant's record is considered individually in this respect. Applicants must submit a writing sample, which may be an essay about media, a scholarly paper, or a media script. Applicants must also submit a biographical statement of 500 to 1000 words that indicates experience, interest, and professional objectives. This statement should provide background information about the applicant and what he/she hopes to achieve by enrolling in the M.F.A. program. In addition the applicant must submit two letters of recommendation. Applicants are encouraged to submit examples of creative work in support of their application. However, previous professional or academic media experience is not required for admission to the program. The department's M.F.A. admissions committee may require an interview of applicants. International applicants are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 580 on the paper-based test or 237 on the computer-based test or 92 on the internet-based test, before being considered for admission.

General matriculation and admission requirements of Graduate Studies are in the section "Admission" of the Graduate Bulletin.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Degree requirements
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fifty-one credits are required for the degree.
At least 45 credits must be taken in the Television, Radio & Emerging Media Department. Of the 51 credits, 45 credits must be taken in departmental required Television, Radio & Emerging Media courses; the remaining 6 credits are elective, and must be approved in consultation with the director of the M.F.A. program and the graduate deputy chairperson.

Every M.F.A. student shall be required to successfully complete the department's graduate core, and the Production specialization courses.

The Television Production specialization for M.F.A. students encompasses the following courses: Television, Radio & Emerging Media 7731X, 7741G, 7752X, 7761G, 7742G, 7754G, 7780G, 7733G, 7756G, 7783G, 7764G, and 7784G for a total of 45 credits.

The remaining 6 credits are elective.

M.F.A. students may offer 3 credits of a Television Production Externship (Television, Radio & Emerging Media 7799X) toward the M.F.A. degree. This externship provides on-the-job production experience under the supervision of a selected television professional.

Creative work in the program must culminate in submission of two projects: multi-camera and single camera productions. The specific parameters of the student's creative thesis project must be formally approved by the graduate deputy chairperson in consultation with the student's faculty adviser. This audiovisual material shall meet the professional production and content standards appropriate for granting a terminal academic degree. The project will be accompanied by a production book acceptable to the department.

Courses in the Television, Radio & Emerging Media Department offered toward a degree must be 7000-level courses.