Advanced Standing Opportunities
The MFA offers advanced standing at three distinct entry points. To ensure students of all levels find a place in our program, we offer the opportunity to apply for Advanced Standing during the application process. Advanced Standing allows you to begin the program in Phase II or Phase III, waiving 12 or 24 credits from the required 64 credits. The three phases include:
Phase I: Foundational
(64 credits over six semesters) Most students will begin the program in this phase. It builds a solid foundation in the first semester in theory and history and an intensive introduction to writing and production skills in a variety of media platforms.
Phase II: Intermediate Practitioner
(52 credits over five semesters) Students will develop a customized plan of study that allows for artistic exploration while developing the technical proficiency to undertake their thesis project.
Phase III: Advanced Practitioner
(40 credits over four semesters) Students will come ready to begin working on their thesis project. Students meet with their program advisor to select courses that support their thesis work as well as their specific learning needs.
A Customized Curriculum
This curriculum breakdown is based on the 64-credit program.
Required Foundational Courses (12 credits)
- VM 613 Foundations of Image and Sound Production (4 credits)
- VM 641 The Language of Media Arts (4 credits)
- VM 642 Conceptual Development (4 credits)
Media Studies Electives (12 credits)
Choose three of the following:
- VM 610 Media Pedagogy (4 credits)
- VM 643 Experimental Media (4 credits)
- VM 655 Topics in Media Studies (4 credits)
- VM 664 Studies in Documentary History and Theory (4 credits)
Advanced Production Electives (16 credits)
- VM 640 MFA Production Workshop* (8 credits)
- VM 698 MFA Thesis Project (8 credits)
*VM 640 MFA Production Workshop (4 credits: Must take twice for 8 credits, may take for an additional 4 credits as an elective)
Production Electives (24 credits)
Leverage 20+ local production resources, including:
- Alliance for Independent Motion Media
- America Graffiti
- Associated Grant Makers
- Boston Camera
- Boston Casting
- The Color of Film Collaborative
- The D-Word
- Filmmakers Collaborative
- Film Shack
- The Foundation Center
- The LEF Foundation
- Massachusetts Cultural Council
Graduate Admission
Visit Us Emerson College Visitor Center 104 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02116
Contact Us Email: gradadmission@emerson.edu Phone: 617-824-8610
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