Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of both the Toulouse Graduate School and the Department of Media Arts. If applicants are accepted by the Graduate School, their files are forwarded to the Graduate Committee in the Department of Media Arts for further evaluation.

The following may be considered the Media Arts Department's minimum requirements:

  • Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Completion of a minimum of 24 hours of undergraduate courses in Media Arts or related field of study such as mass communications, media studies, film or media production.
  • International students: an applicant from outside the United States must demonstrate proficiency in oral and written English prior to admittance. International students must submit TOEFL scores if English is not their first/primary language.

Step 1: Create an Applicant Profile

Follow the instructions for the University of North Texas Centralized Application Service.  

You can find more information on international admissions here.  Additionally, international applicants from select countries must provide evidence of English language proficiency. For more information, see UNT's English Language Requirements.

Please complete the online Graduate Applicant Survey (form will automatically be sent to the Graduate Director)

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Upon creating your user account, you will be prompted to provide the following information:  

  1. Personal Information  
  2. Academic History & Transcripts 
  3. UNT Supporting Information  
  4. Program Materials include the following:

Statement of purpose, that in 2-3 pages:

  • indicates your purprose for pursuing a terminal degree in Documentary Production and Studies at UNT
  • describes your specific areas of academic and professional interest
  • explains previous academic work and/or professional performance that have served as a foundation for graduate work in Media Arts.
  • communicates how pursuing a degree in Documentary Production & Studies from the Department of Media Arts will aid in your professional and/or career aspirations

Portfolio of creative work submitted via a weblink (Vimeo, YouTube, website).

  • The sample should include one complete production and 10 minutes of excerpts from additional work.
  • If relevant, still photographs or other material that demonstrates the applicant's creative talents and accomplishments may be submitted following consultation with the director of graduate studies. Any creative work submitted with the application must indicate the potential for graduate work in a rigorous, production-oriented graduate program.
  • All materials should be labeled and include a content list, lengths, and the applicant's role in the production.
  • Materials submitted will not be returned. Do not mail tapes in fiber-filled envelopes.

Writing sample representative of the applicant's best academic paper in the field.

Three letters of recommendation from faculty.

  • Letter writers should send their recommendation letters via email directly to the MFA Graduate Director. We do not accept letters sent directly from the applicant.
  • For most applicants, the letters must be provided by current or former professors.
  • If it has been more than four years since the the applicant has attended an academic institution, two of these letters may come from professional colleagues capable of commenting on the applicant's probability of success in a rigorous graduate program.

In specific instances, the Media Arts M.F.A. Admissions Committee may require an interview of applicants under consideration. This interview may take place in person, via telephone, or video conference.

Assistantships

Several graduate assistantships, graduate fellowships, and scholarships are awarded each year to new and continuing students. Assistantship applications should be submitted with admissions material.

Deadlines

For full consideration of admission and assistanships, you should submit all required materials by February 15, 2025 for start in Fall 2025. Please note, assistanship applications are also due by this deadline. 

By virtue of submitting an application to the Master of Fine Arts Program at UNT, I certify:
  • I prepared, wrote, and submitted all of my own materials; and
  • The information supplied in this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.