Motion Pictures

The Cinema and Interactive Media Department offers a complete curricular experience in critical understanding and effective creation of contemporary moving image media and interactive design. With two programs, the M.F.A. in Motion Pictures and the M.F.A. in Interactive Media, our mission is to explore the creative uses of narrative, documentary, technology, design and human behavior in order to entertain, impact, augment, and influence how people communicate. We prepare a new generation of innovators, storytellers and leaders in the fields of cinema, transmedia and interaction design.

The M.F.A. in Motion Pictures program requires that students complete a minimum of 66 credit hours. At least 24 of these credit hours must be at or above the 700-level. At least 12 credit hours must be earned at the 800-level for thesis work. Motion Picture students must maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 or above for all courses. By the end of the second year, students are required to achieve a minimum 3.0 score on the program’s film and television literacy test.

Students in the Motion Picture program are strongly encouraged to explore not only a primary but also a secondary area of specialization and develop a minimum of 2 creative projects in consultation with their faculty advisory committee. The 3 year program culminates in a thesis portfolio. Students need to work closely with their primary advisor and committee to ensure they are fulfilling their degree expectations, which typically include a short motion picture project abroad and a summer internship.

Students must complete a minimum of 66 credit hours with the approval of the faculty advisor. At least 24 must be at or above the 700-level and at least 12 must be earned for thesis. Motion Picture students must maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 for all courses.

M.F.A. candidates are expected to follow a set sequence of courses during the first two semesters of their studies. Several courses are required during the second year of studies. Candidates are strongly encouraged to explore not only a primary but also a secondary area of specialization in the program and develop a minimum of two creative projects consistent with their areas of primary interest and secondary specialization. A minimum of 6 credit hours in each area of specialization is required. Under faculty committee supervision, students will develop one or two creative projects in the third year of their studies.

All M.F.A. students must demonstrate deeper, critical understanding of motion picture practice in diverse social and cultural contexts.  To this end, students are encouraged to take advantage of available study abroad programs. Students are also encouraged to participate in an internship during the summer of the first year or second year of studies.

By the end of the second year, students must complete a film and television literacy test, based on a list of 150 culturally and historically significant titles complied by the faculty. The list is circulated to each student upon entrance into the program. The test is administered annually in the spring semester. Students are requried to earn 85/100% on the test in order to complete the degree.

This three-year program culminates with a thesis portfolio that demonstrates, not only skillful execution of craft, but strong conceptual development rooted in collaborative work and innovative uses of technology.

No more than 9 credit hours will be allowed for graduate internships and advanced projects and directed research. Courses may be taken, with program director approval, from other programs or departments within the University of Miami.

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
• The School’s official application
• A $65.00 non-refundable application fee
• Three letters of recommendation
• 500 word typed statement of academic and professional goals.
  • Note: for the Interactive Media M.F.A., please visit this web site for specific instructions about the statement
• Official transcripts of all college work, both undergraduate and graduate
  • Note: In addition, international applicants must send an official copy of their diploma for all degrees earned, and all documentation that confers your degree, with English translation for all degrees earned.
  • Note: All transcripts must be the original document, forwarded directly from the university; Xerox copies, true copies, notarized copies and other types of copies are not acceptable.
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores
  • Note: Only for international applicants
• Copy of current passport
  • Note: Only for international applicants. The name entered on the graduate application must exactly match your name as it appears on your passport.
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
  • Note: Required for M.A. applicants in Communication Studies and Public Relations. 
  • Note: Journalism M.A. and Interactive Media M.F.A. applicants may send GRE scores or a portfolio
  • Note: Not required for Motion Pictures M.F.A. applicants
• Portfolio
  • Note: Required for Motion Pictures M.F.A. applicants
  • Note: Interactive Media M.F.A. applicants may send a portfolio or GRE scores