Starting in Fall 2026, Emerson College’s on-campus Film & Media Art graduate program will consist of a standard 60-credit curriculum. Housed in the School of Film, Television, and Media Arts, the program is full-time and students take 8 to 12 credits per semester. The estimated time to complete the program is 5 or 6 semesters.
Advanced Standing
The majority of our students begin the program’s 60-credit standard curriculum; however, we recognize not all students require foundational courses. To ensure students of varying experience find a place in our program, you have the opportunity to apply for Advanced Standing during the application process. The faculty MFA Committee will review your application holistically and decide if Advanced Standing is appropriate based on your previous professional and academic experience. Students with Advanced Standing will complete the program in 52 credits, 5 semesters.
Courses
The Film and Media Art MFA program requires completion of the following credits:
- 12 credits of Foundational Courses
- 12 credits of Media Studies Electives
- 16 credits of Advanced Production Courses
- 24 credits of Production Electives
Foundational Courses (12 credits)
| Number | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VM 613 or VM 642 | Foundations of Image and Sound Production or Conceptual Development | 4 |
| VM 641 | The Language of Media Arts | 4 |
| VM 605 or VM 606 | Graduate Writing Short Subject or Writing for interactive Media | 4 |
Media Studies Electives (8 credits)
| Number | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VM 610 | Media Pedagogy | 4 |
| VM 643 | Experimental Media | 4 |
| VM 655 | Topics in Media Studies | 4 |
| VM 664 | Studies in Documentary History and Theory | 4 |
Production Electives (28 credits)
Production electives encompass directing, experimental media, sound design, and more. Below is a sample of possible production electives:
| Number | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VM 607 | Fiction Film Directing | 4 |
| VM 628 | Experimental Media Production | 4 |
| VM 612 | Graduate Sound Design | 4 |
Thesis Requirements (12 credits)
| Number | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VM 640 | MFA Production Workshop | 4 |
| TBA | MFA Thesis Prep | 4 |
| VM 698 | MFA Thesis Project | 4 |
MFA Thesis Requirement
The 4-credit MFA thesis project is required for graduation and is generally taken over the course of two semesters.
You will present your thesis project proposal to be reviewed and approved by your thesis project committee, prior to work on your thesis project. Then you will be ready to enroll in the MFA Thesis Project Preparation course.
Upon final completion of the MFA thesis project, a public screening of MFA works for the year will be held with a question and answer session. The public screening will be the last requirement for the MFA thesis project and will serve as a celebration of your achievements.
Sample Curriculum Map
Our Film and Media Art MFA can be completed full-time in 5 or 6 semesters. This sample curriculum map is designed to give you an idea of your course load as a full-time student in the standard, 60-credit curriculum over 6 semesters. For full course information, review our graduate course catalog.
Full-time Sample Curriculum Map (September–May)
Fall Semester 1 (12 credits)
- Foundational Course: VM 613 Foundations of Image and Sound Production
- Foundational Course: VM 641 The Language of Media Arts
- Media Studies Electives: VM 610 Media Pedagogy
Spring Semester 1 (12 credits)
- Foundational Course: VM 642 Conceptual Development
- Media Studies Electives: VM 643 Experimental Media
- Production Electives: VM 607 Fiction Film Directing
Fall Semester 2 (12 credits)
- Media Studies Electives: VM 655 Topics in Media Studies
- Media Studies Electives: VM 664 Studies in Documentary History and Theory
- Production Electives: VM 612 Graduate Sound Design
Spring Semester 2 (12 credits)
- Production Electives: VM 628 Experimental Media Production
- Production Electives: VM 637 Space, Place, Image, Sound
- Finalize Thesis Project Proposal and secure Thesis Committee
Fall Semester 3 (8 credits)
- MFA Thesis Prep
- Production Electives: VM 612 Graduate Sound Design
Spring Semester 3 (8 credits)
- MFA Thesis Project
- MFA Production Workshop