Screen & Television Writing Certificate

Contact Information

The Graduate Certificate in Screen & TV Writing is offered through the Master of Arts in Professional Writing Program in the Department of English. A unique four-course, non-degree program, this certificate prepares students for entry into the competitive industry of writing for film, television, streaming platforms, and other media outlets through a combination of academic study and hands-on practical experience. Students will take one required foundational course to learn the basics of screen storytelling, and they will select three electives with options in feature film writing, various types of television writing, including writing the half-hour, one-hour, and participating in a TV writers room, as well as industry internships. 

Admission Requirements

The following are requirements beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements: 

• “Statement of Purpose” addressing their preparation for and goals for the Screen & Television Writing Certificate program
• One copy of representative writing samples not to exceed 25 pages;
• Have earned or be in the process of completing a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale;
• The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional.
  • Applicants who opt to take the test must show a total score of 520 (verbal) and a minimum 4.5 (analytic writing). Applicants who opt not to take the GRE must show evidence in the “Statement of Purpose” of one of the following:
    • having substantially published or produced with an established professional or non-profit venue; or having substantially participated in writing a significant document with an established business, non-profit or government agency; or
    • having had entry-level experiences in the professional fields as a writer, editor, script coordinator, writing teacher, or the like; or
    • having received a recommendation after either a face to face, telephone or tele-conference interview with a panel of three outside reviewers who are MAPW alumni or MAPW Community Board members or a combination of these selected by the program director;
  • An applicant who has been previously accepted into or completed a graduate program at an accredited college or university (including previous acceptance in the MAPW), as evidenced by official transcripts is exempt from the GRE and the optional requirements.
• Applicants may submit up to 3 optional letters of recommendation.

*International applicants have additional requirements. See Graduate Admissions  section of this catalog.

Program of Study