MFA in Documentary

Documentary Production and Studies

The Master of Fine Arts program in Documentary Production and Studies is a 3-year terminal degree program. It is one of the few in the nation that focuses on documentary, and the only program of its kind in the region. It emphasizes the scholarly and research study of the documentary form, with a strong production emphasis. Documentary MFA students take intensive coursework in research, producing, cinematography, post-production, location audio, and complete multiple documentary projects during their tenure at UNT. Coursework in documentary history, theory, genres, global technology and media consumption trends, international tendencies and other academic areas support and add to the production emphasis. An internship is required, and study/research abroad is strongly encouraged. The MFA degree culminates in a major documentary thesis production, accompanied by a substantial written thesis. This rigorous paper examines the thesis production experience, integrates theory and media ethics approaches, analyzes appropriate funding and distribution opportunities and other areas appropriate to this capstone experience.

The Department of Media Arts has placed a strong commitment on current high-definition technologies in digital cinema. Graduate students have access to a wide variety of designated cameras, rigs, lenses, audio equipment and post-production platforms. We have courses designed to encourage individual, single-author documentary media productions, as well as larger crewed productions. 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.

Alumni of this program have gone onto careers in documentary producing, directing, cinematography, sound, postproduction, broadcast management, social media platform design and management, international distribution, international production, free-lance producers and documentary photography. Other graduates currently hold tenured, tenure-track and multi-year faculty appointments and faculty artist positions at prestigious universities nationwide.

Degree Overview

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

      • 60 credits total

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.

Program Breakdown

Sample Electives

See the course catalog for course descriptions and exact availability.