Program Statistics
Visit Master's Program Statistics for statistics such as program admissions, enrollment, student demographics and more.
Writing for the Screen and Stage
Degree Types: MFA
The MFA Program in Writing for the Screen and Stage trains leaders in the fields of screen/television and playwriting who will help form the entertainment industry of the future. Graduates leave with a deep understanding of media writing; familiarity with production concepts, equipment, and techniques; and an understanding of the universals that connect all media narratives.
The program focuses on writing and storytelling, and also includes a production component. It provides opportunities for students to produce their own work, both at Northwestern and through arrangements with theatrical and film companies in the greater Chicago area.
By graduation, students will have created a short screenplay, a full-length play, a television pilot, and a full-length project of their choosing.
Additional resources:
Program Contact
Contact Shannon Pritchard
Program Assistant
Degree Requirements
The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.
Master's
Total Units Required: 18
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | |
| RTVF 561-0 | Screenwriting Workshop 1 |
| RTVF 562-0 | Television Writing Workshop |
| RTVF 563-0 | Playwriting Workshop |
| RTVF 564-0 | Full Length Project (Feature Thesis 1) 2 |
| RTVF 565-0 | Full-length Project II (Feature Thesis 2) 3 |
| RTVF 566-0 | Full-length Project III (Feature Thesis 3) 4 |
| Topics Courses | |
| RTVF 360-0 | Topics in Media Writing (or other media writing electives with approval of the Director of the MFA) |
| or RTVF 464-0 | Advanced Media Writing |
| Sample courses include: | |
Writing the Production-Ready Short Film | |
Writing Romantic Comedy | |
The Art, Business, and Ethics of Assignment Writing | |
Writing Horror/Fantasy/Supernatural | |
Writing the Dramatic Pilot | |
Writing the Comedy Screenplay | |
Writing the ½ Hour Spec Script | |
Writing the Sci-Fi Script | |
Advanced Sitcom Writing | |
Writing the Anti-Hero | |
Writing the Fact-Based Drama | |
LGBTQIA for Theater, TV, and/or Web | |
Improv for Writers | |
Pitching the TV Series | |
Writing and Performing Stand-Up | |
Political Drama Between Stage and Screen | |
Writing the Historical Drama | |
Activist Video for the Web | |
Creativity and Flow in Screenwriting | |
Writing the Feature Film | |
Workshopping the Full-Length Project | |
Writing Styles | |
Advanced Scene Workshop | |
| Production Course | |
| RTVF or Theatre (300-level or higher) with the approval of the Director of the MFA. | |
| Theory/history/culture Courses (300-level or higher) | |
| From Screen Cultures/RTVF, Performance Studies, Art Theory and Practice, Theatre, or other departments with approval of MFA program director. | |
| Electives | |
| From Production, Screen Cultures, or Writing/RTVF, Performance Studies, Art Theory and Practice, Theatre or other departments with approval of MFA program director. Maximum of two screenwriting, playwriting or television writing electives. | |
| Internship | |
| RTVF 490-1 | Professional Experience Practicum |
| RTVF 490-2 | Professional Experience Capstone |
- 1
Required in 1st and 2nd year. There is no need for these classes to be taken in a particular sequence.
- 2
Workshop in class first draft of thesis.
- 3
Public readings of thesis / focus on collaboration, revision.
- 4
Public productions of thesis / focus on the business of writing.
Other MFA Degree Requirements
- MFA students will be allowed to take a maximum of 20 credits.
- Grade average: Students must maintain a B average. If a student's average is not a B or higher by the end of the first year, he or she may be asked to leave the program.
- Final portfolio Review/Defense: In consultation with the Director of the Program, each student will choose a committee of two faculty members to review his/her final portfolio (at least 3 substantial scripts created within the context of courses) and to judge his/her final defense of that portfolio.