Program: Film and Television Production, M.F.A. - San Diego State University

Mar 29, 2025

2023/2024 University Catalog

(Major Code: 10102) (SIMS Code: 667309)

Advancement to Candidacy

In addition to meeting the general requirements for advancement to candidacy described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees , students seeking the Master of Fine Arts in film, and new media production must complete TFM 670 with a grade of B or better prior to advancement.

Specific Requirements

Candidates for the Master of Fine Arts degree in film and television production must complete 54 units of coursework to include the following:

Core Preparation Courses

Fifteen units of core preparation courses comprised of

TFM 601 - Business Aspects of Film Units: 3
TFM 605 - Seminar: Production for Television and Film Units: 3
TFM 610 - Seminar in Writing for Television and Film Units: 3
TFM 625 - Seminar: Writing Short Narrative and Documentary Films Units: 3
TFM 670 - Seminar: Midway Review Production Units: 3

Production Electives

Six units of production electives selected from

TFM 522 - Advanced Film and Television Cinematography Units: 3
TFM 540 - Documentary Production Units: 3
TFM 621 - Sound Design for Film Units: 3
TFM 627 - Film Editing and Postproduction Units: 1-3
TFM 662 - Scene-Based Film Production Units: 3

Critical Studies Courses

Nine units of critical studies courses comprised of

TFM 530 - Selected Topics in Genre Studies for Television and Film Units: 3
TFM 563 - Documentary: History and Theory Units: 3
TFM 571 - Selected Topics in Director Studies Units: 3

Capstone Project Preparation

All students will take Plan B (Comprehensive Examination) and enroll in nine units of capstone project preparation to include

TFM 675 - Seminar: Research and Bibliography in Media Production Units: 3
TFM 790 - Portfolio/Examination Preparation Units: 3

15 Additional Graduate Units

With approval of the graduate adviser, 15 additional graduate units in Television, Film and New Media, Theatre, and other departments.

Electives Outside the School of Theatre, Television, and Film

No more than nine units of electives outside the School of Theatre, Television, and Film.