Master of Fine Arts | Department of Media Arts
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Master of Fine Arts

M.F.A. in Documentary Production & Studies

The Master of Fine Arts degree is now the most distinguished terminal degree for production faculty at college and university programs in the United States.

The goal of the M.F.A. degree in Documentary Production and Studies is the academic, aesthetic and technical training of production professionals. Our M.F.A. program is one of the few in the nation to emphasize documentary production and studies and it is the only program of its kind in the region.

Students are engaged in rigorous and ambitious production opportunities using professional high definition cameras, rigs, audio gear, and various postproduction platforms. Additionally, students are immersed in documentary history and contemporary theories of the global documentary genre. Students benefit from the diverse and international perspectives of the M.F.A. faculty who produce award-winning documentaries that are screened at festivals across the globe each year.

The M.F.A. degree is a 60 hour degree designed to allow for 3-year completion, with course work beginning in the fall semester. The degree culminates in a final documentary thesis production, accompanied by a substantial written thesis.

For a better understanding of the diverse films our students produce, check out our recent graduates' thesis projects.

Several graduate assistantships, graduate fellowships, and scholarships are awarded each year to new and continuing students.

For more information about admissions or the program contact Melinda Levin, Director of M.F.A. in Documentary Production and Studies at Melinda.Levin@unt.edu

M.F.A. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS AND COURSES

The M.F.A. degree in Documentary Production and Studies is designed to allow for 3-year completion, with course work beginning in the fall semester.

Students must successfully complete a minimum of 60 semester hours:

  • 36 hours required courses (includes 6 hours of M.F.A. colloquium)
  • 6 hours prescribed electives
  • 12 hours open electives
  • 6 hours of thesis

The degree culminates in a final documentary thesis production, accompanied by a substantial written thesis. The thesis should illustrate the student's ability to successfully execute professional-level production work of high quality. Additionally, the thesis should demonstrate the student's knowledge of production techniques and historical/theoretical perspectives.

Sample Courses (see the course catalog for course descriptions and exact availability):

  • Theory and Technique of Visual Editing
  • Documentary Preproduction
  • Documentary Production
  • History of the Documentary
  • Contemporary Documentary
  • Documentary Cinematography
  • Audio Production
  • Advanced Documentary Workshop
  • Digital Distribution
  • Transmedia Storytelling
  • Media Industry Studies
  • Media Law & Regulation
  • Media Ethics
  • Audience Research
  • Global Media
  • Media Genres and Authors
  • Media Management
  • Digital Media Studies
  • Cinema and Video Verite
  • Gender, Race, and Technology
  • Teen Media
  • Mobile Media
  • Studies in Film History
  • Internship with department approval

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