Master of Fine Arts in Cinema

Requirements for students who entered the program DURING the 2025 – 2026 school year and anytime AFTER the 2025 – 2026 school year. 

During the first Fall semester of the first year, students will build a foundation in cinema theory, narrative filmmaking, producing, and cinematography. These courses are designed to prepare students for the multi-faceted aspects of production as well as apply theory to their practice.

During the Spring semester of the first year, students will continue studying cinema theory and producing, and will build foundations in documentary filmmaking. Students will also have the chance to take a production elective and will be required to take Directed Teaching Experience in Film Education, a course that prepares students for teaching at a college level.

The second year of the program will include Advanced Directing, Advanced Editing, Experimental Cinema, and will require several theory and production electives. The third and final year of the program will focus on every aspect of the students thesis project from pre-production, production, and post-production.

First Year Required Courses

Fall

Spring

Second Year Required Courses

Fall

Spring

Third Year Required Courses

Fall

Spring

For more info about these courses, please contact the M.F.A. Coordinator.

Additional Requirements

In addition to required courses noted above, each student must meet departmental requirements for periodic reviews, as follows:

• Formal script review at the end of the first semester.
• Formal progress review at the end of the first year.
• Formal presentation and faculty evaluation of the creative work project proposal at the end of the second year (upon which advancement to candidacy is contingent).
• Documented public screening of the student’s creative thesis project.

Requirements for students who entered the program BEFORE the 2025 – 2026 school year. 

All M.F.A. students must complete 42 units of required classes and 18 units of electives over three distinct years. 

During the first year, students build a foundation through the study of technical crafts, aesthetics, theory and creative conceptualization — enabling them to express themselves in the language of images and sounds. 

In the second year, students take advanced courses that lead to the production of creative work demonstrating original thinking, conceptual clarity, technical skill and the refinement of a personal aesthetic. 

In the third year, students complete a creative project that is a culmination of previous work and a reflection of the development of the student’s creative voice.

First- and second-year required courses must be taken in sequence. Advancement to second and third year of the program is contingent on faculty review and approval by the M.F.A. coordinator.

M.F.A. Theory Requirements

In addition, M.F.A. students must take four critical theory graduate courses, according to the following guidelines:

Not all courses will be offered each semester. Please check the School of Cinema schedule information for the relevant semester for availability.

You can find course descriptions and details about these courses in the University Bulletin.

Additional Requirements

In addition to required courses noted above, each student must meet departmental requirements for periodic reviews, as follows:

• Formal progress review at the end of the first and second years.
• Documented public screening of the student’s creative thesis project.

Not all courses will be offered each semester. Please check the School of Cinema schedule information for the relevant semester for availability.

• Produce individual creative film works utilizing techniques that span a range of genres.
• Demonstrate mastery of technical skills necessary to expressing themselves cinematically.
• Demonstrate the realization of a personal creative vision in the cinematic form.
• Demonstrate the ability to locate their personal creative practice in the context of history and traditions of cinema.
• Produce coherent critical essays using appropriate source materials.
• Demonstrate skills in teaching undergraduate film courses.

Early submission is appreciated.

To apply to the M.F.A. in Cinema, you must complete the Cal State Apply application for graduate admission and upload your unofficial transcripts and application documents to the Program Materials section of Cal State Apply. You must complete the entire graduate admission by deadline to be considered for admission. 

Applicants may only apply to a single graduate program per application term. The application fee is $70. The School of Cinema is unable to offer any application fee waivers, for more information on fee waivers, please contact the division of graduate studies at gradstudies@sfsu.edu.

After reviewing the Application Procedures below, please visit Cal State Apply to apply for the M.F.A. in Cinema.

Application Instructions

Your application for graduate study to SFSU consists of a two-part review:

Part 1

Division of Graduate Studies

The Division of Graduate Studies reviews your application for general university admission requirements and requires you to upload copies of transcripts from every college or university attended, including study abroad coursework, community college coursework even if transfer credit appears on your degree transcript. Upload clear, legible copies of all transcripts to the Documents section of the Cal State Apply Application. Photos of documents will not be accepted.  Make sure you resolve any financial obligations at previously attended institutions so they will release your transcripts.

Division of Graduate Studies 
Administration Building, Room 250
1600 Holloway Avenue 
San Francisco, CA 94132

Phone: (415) 338-2234
Email: gradstudies@sfsu.edu

Part 2

Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate study. Applicants with degrees in areas other than film who show exceptional potential will be considered for admission to the program. 

The School of Cinema requires candidates to have completed one introductory course in film production and a basic course in non-linear digital editing, or equivalent experience is required. Students will be expected to use Adobe's Premiere Pro for initial course work. 

Prior to admission, all candidates must have at least one sample of creative image moving work in which they had a major creative role (ie: Director, DP/Cinematographer, Writer, Editor, etc.) Additionally, all applicants must submit a resume/CV, a personal statement, an example of academic writing, two letters of recommendation, and unofficial transcripts. 
The GRE is NOT required to apply.

School of Cinema
San Francisco State University 

1600 Holloway Ave. 

Fine Arts Building, Room 245 

San Francisco, CA 94132 


Phone: (415) 338-1629 

Email: cinegrad@sfsu.edu

Materials Needed to Apply

Prepare application materials in advance before starting the online Cal State Apply application.  Please note that the School of Cinema Application Materials can be submitted on the Cal State Apply Application in the “Program Materials” section of the application.

Required Application Documents Breakdown

1. Resume/CV (1 – 2 pages) summarizing the applicant's education, awards or recognition, work experience, travel, languages, and special skills
2. Personal statement (3 page maximum) discussing aesthetic influences, creative interests, and professional aspirations as a filmmaker, including comments on: the areas of film on which the applicant would like to concentrate, how theory informs his/her/their work as a filmmaker, and the goals he/she/they intend to pursue upon completion of the M.F.A.
3. An example of academic writing (7 – 12 pages, double space, 12 pt. font) which illustrates the applicant's ability to make and support a thesis as well as familiarity with scholarly form and expository style. Papers from the film discipline are most useful, but other academic work is acceptable. No journalistic "review” essays or scripts are accepted
4. Creative work sample: an example of creative, moving image in which you had a major creative role is required. The example may be live-action, animation, fiction, documentary, or experimental, and it should reflect your aesthetic taste as well as your intellectual and emotional interests.
   1. You must submit one video that is no longer than 5 minutes. For work longer than 5 minutes, please create a 5-minute excerpt that you feel best represents the work.
   2. Trailers, reels, or compilations of more than one work WILL NOT be accepted.
   3. Additional creative work samples: There will be an opportunity on your application to include an additional work sample. This sample may be moving image work, or a sample of another creative work.
      1. Examples of other creative works include photographs, paintings, screenplays or creative writing. Please note that other creative work samples would not be a substitute for the moving image work. Please email the School of Cinema office with any questions at cinegrad@sfsu.edu.
5. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant's creativity and aptitude as well as to the quality of past work and potential of future achievements. One letter from a former professor is recommended. The School of Cinema does not provide official recommendation forms. Your recommender will receive an email with a link to upload a reference letter once the School of Cinema Application letter has been completed.
6. Unofficial transcripts: Upload two unofficial transcripts to the Cal State Apply application. In addition to any documents required by your program, you are also required to upload legible unofficial copies of transcripts from each college or university attended. Including study abroad coursework, or community college coursework, even if this coursework appears as transfer credit appears on your degree transcript.  Full academic disclosure is required. Photographs or screenshots of transcripts will be rejected. An incomplete academic history will significantly delay review of your application. The Division of Graduate Studies may request official transcripts from you at any point during the application review process. 

If selected for admission, you will be required to submit official transcripts to the Division of Graduate Studies in order to secure your offer of admission.

CAL State Apply Tips

Create your account AND complete your profile. 

TIP: Students who will study on a F1/J1 visa must select Non-Resident for U.S. Citizenship Status under your Extended Profile.

Please note: You will only see a list of programs that aligns with your academic degree objective.