Writing & Directing for Film is a Master Degree program offered by Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. The program takes 36 units to complete, with a total tuition of $55,836.
Program Overview
The MA program in Writing & Directing for Film is a streamlined training in the development and direction of an original short film or extended scene. Students go through the development process and are mentored through preproduction, production, and postproduction on their thesis project/scene. Students also learn to brand themselves and their work in preparation for the marketplace.
We take a cross-disciplinary approach to filmmaking—teaching you the core skills to crew a film and secure work, then giving you the tools to market yourself and your projects through social media. You’ll also learn to harness AI as a creative partner, turning what you imagine into what audiences can see.
What sets this Program apart
In The School of Motion Pictures and Television, you’re not just learning your craft, you’re living it. You’ll work in real-world environments alongside other talented artists, building filmmaking families that last a lifetime. Eight professional soundstages become your classrooms. Oscar- and Emmy-winning faculty become your mentors. A dedicated casting director connects you with the talent who will bring your vision to life.
We’ll teach you everything about motion pictures: writing, directing, producing, cinematography, editing, and production design. You’ll create original work, push your skills, and graduate with a reel that proves your artistry. This isn’t film theory; this is filmmaking in action.
Admission Requirements and Process
The Academy requires graduate applicants to demonstrate their ability and intent to complete a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or Master of Architecture program (M. Arch.). After submitting the application form and application fee, graduate applicants must submit a statement of intent, a résumé, college transcripts showing completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, and a portfolio/reel. Upon receiving all application requirements, the department will review and will recommend that the student be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory Coursework.
General Requirements
- Bachelor’s degreeTranscripts must show completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent; you must submit official or unofficial transcripts from the institution from which you graduated.
- Application and feeSubmit the graduate application form and the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Statement of IntentSubmit an explanation of Graduate School goals and desired outcomes of the graduate degree in a one page, typed essay.
- RésuméSubmit an itemized list of educational and professional experience.
- Portfolio/ReelA body of work representing the chosen discipline is required for class placement in the graduate program; additional materials may be required by the specific departments.
- Department reviewUpon receiving all application requirements, the department will review and will recommend that the student be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory…
Application Process
- 1Meet with an Admissions SpecialistSchedule a meeting with one of our admissions specialists. They’ll guide you to the school and program that best fits your goals and help you navigate the application process.
- 2Apply for admissionSubmit the graduate application form and the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- 3Send your supporting documentsSubmit your Statement of Intent, résumé and college transcripts showing completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
- 4Submit your portfolio/reelSubmit a body of work representing your chosen discipline; registration for the appropriate classes is based on the skills demonstrated in the portfolio/reel.
- 5Department reviewThe department reviews your application and recommends that you be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory Coursework.
- 6File the FAFSAComplete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov and use Academy of Art University’s Federal School ID Number: 007531.FAFSA Code for San Francisco Campus: 007531
Program Schedule
Start dates. Spring 2027 semester starts 2/3/2027 (application deadline 1/25/2027); Summer 2027 starts 6/21/2027 (deadline 6/14/2027); Fall 2027 starts 9/8/2027 (deadline 8/30/2027).
Graduate students must carry a minimum study load of 9 units to be considered as full-time students. Students are expected to attend summer semesters to meet their scheduled completion date.
On-site classes are offered Monday through Saturday in time blocks of 8am-11am, 11am-2pm, 2pm-5pm and 5pm-8pm, with Saturday classes from 9:30am-12:30pm and 1pm-4:30pm.
- February 03rd, 2027
- June 21st, 2027
- September 08th, 2027
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition. Graduate & Art Teaching Credential tuition for Fall 2026–Summer 2027 is $1,551 per unit for domestic students ($1,857 per unit for international students); tuition is the same for both on-campus and online classes. This 36-unit program’s tuition is $55,836 for domestic students.
Fees.
- Application Fee: $50 (one-time, nonrefundable)
- Registration Fee: $50 per semester (nonrefundable after the cancellation period)
- Enrollment Fee: $95 for first-term domestic students, charged in lieu of the $50 registration fee ($100 for international students)
- Student Activity Fee: $30 per semester, on-site only; waived for students taking all courses online
- Student Tuition Recovery Fund: $0
- Course fees vary by course; fees may be different for on-campus sections and online sections
- Materials/Supplies: $545 average per semester
Estimated total program cost for a full-time, onsite, domestic student (effective fall semester 2026): application fee $50, enrollment fee $95, registration fees $200, student activity fees $150, estimated course fees $1,285–$3,093, for an estimated $57,616–$59,424 due for the entire program.
Payment options. Academy of Art offers many different ways to help you structure your payments, including interest-free installment plans and pre-payment options. The installment plan enables students to pay their tuition in four separate payments during Fall and Spring and two separate payments for Summer.
Financial aid. Federal aid available to Academy of Art University graduate students includes Federal Work Study, Direct Stafford (unsubsidized) Loans and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans. Complete the FAFSA using Academy of Art University’s Federal School ID Number: 007531.
Military and veterans. The Academy processes the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), the Yellow Ribbon Program, Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31), DEA (Chapter 35), Military Tuition Assistance and MyCAA.
Net Price Calculator. Estimate your cost with the Academy of Art University Net Price Calculator: https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/academyart
Living expenses. The cost of attendance budget includes the costs of tuition and fees, books, supplies, monthly allowances for room and board, transportation to and from school, and personal expenses such as clothes. Estimates of (Monthly) Living Expenses, 2026-2027:
- Food & Housing: $1,393 (student living with parents); $2,729 (student not living with parents); $4,133 (student living on campus, avg.)
- Personal Expenses: $507; $634; $441
- Transportation: $134; $184; $154
Federal student loan debt. From the program’s School Performance Fact Sheet:
- Most recent three year cohort default rate, as reported by the United States Department of Education: 2023: 0%; 2024: 0%.
- The percentage of enrolled students in 2023/2024 receiving federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: 25%; 2024: 11%.
- The percentage of graduates in 2023/2024 who took out federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: 17%; 2024: 33%.
- The average amount of federal student loan debt of 2023/2024 graduates who took out federal student loans at this institution: 2023: $14,395; 2024: $14,864.
Curriculum
Master of Arts (MA) Degree – Major Classes.
This program is available on campus.
Unit Requirements.
- Major Coursework: 33 units
- Graduate Liberal Arts: 3 units
- Total: 36 units
MA Writing & Directing For Film Degree Requirements.
- Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review.
- Minimum grade of C in all required 36 units.
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
- 1 Major Designated Graduate Liberal Arts course
Program Learning Outcomes.
Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Writer-Director Skills
- Direct a short film that showcases their abilities as a writer-director.
- Develop compelling ideas for short and feature film screenplays.
- Create defined and engaging characters.
- Write a well-structured short film script and feature outline.
- Elicit engaging and believable performances from actors.
Professional Readiness
- Make well-organized and effective choices that serve the story during the preproduction, production and postproduction process.
- Apply film marketing research to develop an effective social media marketing campaign and articulate a promotional strategy for their film.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
At the School of Motion Pictures & Television, you’ll master every role on set and graduate with a reel that gets you hired. With award-winning mentors, pro soundstages, and AI-powered storytelling in your toolkit, you’ll be ready to make films—and make your mark.
- Producer
- Development Executive
- Screenwriter
- Editor
- Line Producer
- Production Designer
- Assistant Director (AD)
- Camera Operator
- Director
- Cinematographer
- 1st Assistant Camera (AC)
- Social Media Content Creator
Program performance. From the program’s School Performance Fact Sheet filed with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (calendar years 2023 & 2024, revised November 25, 2025):
- On-Time Completion Rate: 2023: 14% (1 of 7 students available for graduation); 2024: 75% (6 of 8 students available for graduation).
- Placement Rate % Employed in the Field: 2023: 0% (0 of 3 graduates available for employment); 2024: 0% (0 of 2 graduates available for employment).
- License Examination Passage Rates: Not Applicable.
Graduation and retention rates (university-wide).
- Graduate Students (Full-time): % of all incoming full-time students (503) in Fall 2019 graduated in 5 years: 75%.
- Retention Rates – 2024 Cohort: All incoming full-time graduate students (199) in Fall 2024 re-enrolled in Fall 2025: 81%.
What to expect as a Academy of Art University student
On campus, you’ll have full access to our camera room, editing bays, scene construction shop, and wardrobe shop. Our soundstages are open for student use outside of class, whether for homework or personal projects. Remote students can jump in virtually as crew members, producers, or directors. You can participate in our networking events, workshops, and livestreamed guest speaker series.
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Academy of Art University is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), currently on warning; its accredited status continues during the Warning period.
Approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the San Francisco Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Percentages are of total fall enrollment. 910 students whose race or ethnicity was not reported are included in that total but shown as no category, so the figures above come to 83.4% rather than 100%.
Testimonials
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