M.F.A. in Film and Electronic Media
Film & Media Arts >> M.F.A. in Film and Electronic Media
In the M.F.A. program in Film and Electronic Media, you will master the media production skills and digital techniques required to compete in the explosive new media industry. And, you will gain the broad-based understanding of media issues and their historical and critical context necessary to begin a research or teaching career at the university level. Using American University's film, video and digital equipment and facilities, you will explore such skills as film and video production, script writing, computer animation, digital imaging, sound production, and electronic media design and programming for CD-ROM and the World Wide Web. In the international arena, you may receive full credit for courses taken in the film program of the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Prague Film Academy (FAMU).
M.F.A. Degree Requirements
Students with no prior experience in photography will be required to take a basic black and white photography course (COMM-630: Basic Photography) before taking advanced courses in media production. These three credits do not count toward the degree requirements.
- Production of a portfolio of original creative work in the areas of scriptwriting, film, or electronic media production under the supervision of a faculty committee and in conjunction with COMM-702 Master's Portfolio Seminar, with a grade of B or better. Thesis project details (PDF)
- A grade point average of 3.00 maintained during all work toward the degree.
- Comprehensive examination in film and electronic media.
Course Requirements (51 credit hours)
Core (27 credit hours)
With an adviser's approval, students with comparable, prior experience or course-work may substitute other courses in production and writing or media studies.
- COMM-631: Film and Video Production I
- COMM-634: Film and Video Production II or COMM-584: Technology and Practice (offered only in Prague)
- COMM-650: Basic Digital Imaging or 3 hours of New Media coursework
- COMM-682: Writing for Visual Media or COMM-587: Screenwriting (offered only in Prague)
- COMM-513: Producing Film and Video
- COMM-701: Graduate Seminar in Film Theory and Practice
- COMM-711: Teaching Seminar in Media Arts
Two of the following:
- COMM-511: History of Documentary
- COMM-517: History of Cross Cultural Cinema
- COMM-516: Topics: Visual Media & Culture (as appropriate)
- COMM-520: History of Animation
- COMM-527: History of Photography
- COMM-558: Survey of American Cinema
- COMM-586: History of Czech Cinema (offered only in Prague)
Portfolio requirement (6 credit hours)
Electives (18 credit hours)
With the guidance of their adviser, students may develop an area of concentration or expertise using courses from the following. COMM-690 Independent Study Project, COMM-691 Graduate Internship or COMM-711 Teaching Seminar in Media Arts (if not used to fulfill core requirement, above) may also be used with the permission of the student's adviser.
Production and Writing (minimum 6 credit hours)
- COMM-561: Advanced Writing for Film (3)
- COMM-562: Advanced Writing for Television (3)
- COMM-565: Advanced Visual Media Portfolio (3)
- COMM-570: Summer Film and Video Institute (3)
- COMM-635: Introduction to Studio Television (3)
- COMM-638: Production Practicum (3)
- COMM-650: Basic Digital Imaging (3)
- COMM-656: Dramatic Film Production (3)
- COMM-664: Directing for Camera (3)
- COMM-686: Documentary Production and Direction (3)
- Advanced New Media Coursework
Media Studies (minimum 3 credit hours)
- COMM-511: History of Documentary (3)
- COMM-514: Censorship in the Media (3)
- COMM-516: Special Topics in Visual Media and Culture (3)
- COMM-517: Cross-Cultural Cinema (3)
- COMM-520: History of Animation (3)
- COMM-527: History of Photography(3)
- COMM-550: Financing and Marketing Independent Productions (3)
- COMM-558: Survey of American Cinema (3)
- COMM-584: Film Technology and Practice (3)
- COMM-585: Directing (3)*
- COMM-586: History of Czech Cinema (3)*
- COMM-601: Legal Aspects of Communication (3)
Note: One media studies elective may be taken in a related subject area with the approval of the faculty adviser. Related media studies courses include the following:
- COMM-503: Broadcast Operations and Management
- LIT-675: Film and Literature (3)
- LIT-676: National Cinema (3)
- LIT-677: Popular Film Genres (3)
- LIT-678: Major Filmmakers (3)
- LIT-680: Independent Filmmakers (3)
- PERF-557: Creative Writers' Performance Laboratory (3)
- PERF-665: Theater History I (3)
- PERF-666: Theater History II (3)
- PERF-667: Theater History III (3)
* Courses offered through the AU Abroad Program in Prague, Czech Republic
Course descriptions for the courses listed above are available on the Registrar's Website.
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