Master in Playwriting and Screenwriting (Master's)

Communication and the arts shape Emerson College's academic identity. The college is organized through the School of Film, Television, and Media Arts, the School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies, and the School of Communication. Students can choose from 42 undergraduate and graduate majors, along with four certificates and more than 30 minors. Areas of study include film, television, media arts, communication studies, theatre, acting, and marketing communication. Emerson's film school is ranked fifth in the United States by The Hollywood Reporter.

Learning is centered on practical work. Students use professional-level studios, stages, and labs, and work with people active in the industry. The college offers more than 120 student clubs and co-curricular activities, including publications and performance groups. Students also have access to internships, including more than 150 internship sites connected with the Los Angeles campus. Emerson supports creative work through clubs, crews, casts, and other communities, while 14 NCAA Division III teams provide opportunities for intercollegiate competition.

The main campus is in Boston, an urban setting that connects study with the energy of a major city. Emerson also offers learning in Los Angeles and at Kasteel Well in the Netherlands, a restored 14th-century medieval castle used for its Education Abroad Program. International students can consider these locations as part of a broader study experience, while exploring the college's creative communities, hands-on courses, internships, and opportunities to present their work to audiences beyond campus.

This programme is designed for working professionals and recent graduates seeking to become professional screenwriters. Students develop original screenplays for film, television, and emerging media through a low-residency format. The curriculum emphasizes portfolio development with hands-on workshops and mentorship from active industry writers. Each semester includes a six-day residency in Boston or Los Angeles, followed by online coursework.

Focus areas include film screenwriting, television screenwriting, pilot development, feature film writing, emerging media writing, script pitching.

The programme requires 48 credits and is completed over two years. Students complete six-day residencies each semester, followed by online coursework including asynchronous and live workshops. All credits are for the full MFA degree, not a concentration.

Graduates pursue careers as screenwriters, television writers, and script developers in film, television, and digital media industries.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit a writing sample, resume, and personal statement. No GRE is required. Application materials are uploaded through an online account system.

The programme totals about 48 credit hours. Low residency; on-campus residencies in Boston and Los Angeles, with online coursework between sessions; completed in two years; full-time format. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 47% of applicants.