Documentary, M.F.A.

Combine cinematic and journalistic skills to create powerful documentary narratives.

54-Credit Degree

Graduate in 2 years

Travel Abroad

Address persistent environmental and social challenges through the creation of short non-fiction films in Central America.

Hands-on Courses

Enroll in Documentary Photography, Advanced Audio Video Narratives, Nonfiction Film, Cinematography, and more.

Funding Assistance

Gain access to funding and scholarship opportunities, along with guaranteed production funds allocated for your thesis projects.

Shape Global Narratives

The Documentary, M.F.A. program offers a unique curriculum with a combined focus on cinematic arts and journalism, providing students with immersive learning opportunities in international documentary production.

Explore some of the interdisciplinary courses:

Beyond covering the role of the producer, this hands-on class offers students a place to workshop their thesis projects. Students will brand themselves or their company and leave with a packaged project ready to take to market.

Taught in collaboration by a screenwriter and a screen editor, this course advances students’ understanding of the unique structure of narrative for documentary and other non-fiction forms through the simultaneous exploration of screenwriting and screen editing.

Students produce two short digital documentaries and explore various narrative approaches to the documentary film.

An advanced seminar class designed to enhance the knowledge and practice of the visual storytelling narrative. This seminar stresses the importance of converg ing media, still images, video, and sound. Particular emphasis will be placed u pon the creation of a multimedia portfolio.

An examination of American and world nonfiction films.

Top Film School

Recognized by The Wrap as a Top 11 Film School in the country in 2024.

Award-Winning

Miami serves as a multicultural, dynamic, and diverse base for this program.

Alumni Success

Work at companies like CNN Films, PBS, NPR, and independent media companies around the world.

Admission FAQs

Learn more about the M.F.A. process here. There are 4 steps in the application process:

  1. Sign up for an online account here
  2. Send official transcripts
  3. Upload letters of recommendation
  4. Upload your portfolio

Learn more about the application process for International Students here.

Prepare and submit the following materials via your Graduate Application Account.

1. Resume (2 pages): The resume should highlight past creative/journalistic experience and employment.

2. Personal Essay (500-700 words): The essay should address personal objectives for graduate study, subject matters of interest for future projects, and career goals. May be the same as the “statement of purpose” required in the Graduate School Application.

3. *Sample of Writing (10 pages or less): This may be an original screenplay, short story, news media, magazine article, writing sample, etc. The sample is not to exceed 10 pages. Scripts should be written in the standard screenplay format, set in 12-point courier font. The submission must be the applicant’s sole authored writing.

4. *Sample of Visual Expression (choose one):
a.) Video: no more than 10 minutes of visual work.
b.) Photographs (stills): no more than 15 stills on any subject, black and white or color. The photographs may also be a representation of work in other media, such as fine arts, theater, set/costume design, or other related disciplines.

*Items 3 and 4 of the portfolio submission for the Documentary MFA program are currently optional.

Click here to learn more about Funding Opportunities.

Click here to see all FAQs.

Graduate Program Contacts

For questions about admissions, application statuses, or financial aid please contact socgrad@miami.edu

For questions related to the Documentary, M.F.A. program please contact the Graduate Program Director, Sanjeev Chatterjee at sanjeev@miami.edu

Dates & Deadlines

Fall 2025 applications open: October 1, 2024

Priority Fall 2025 deadline: February 1, 2025

Final Fall 2025 deadline: July 15, 2025

Study Abroad Spotlight

Guatemala Outreach Program

The Guatemala Outreach Program offers an unforgettable experience for aspiring filmmakers. Students will work alongside local NGOs on critical issues, document their stories, and create films that inspire action. This program will develop students’ filmmaking skills while immersing them in a vibrant culture and fostering a commitment to social impact.

Get In Touch

For questions about admissions, application statuses, or financial aid please contact socgrad@miami.edu

For questions related to the Documentary, M.F.A. program please contact the Graduate Program Director, Sanjeev Chatterjee at sanjeev@miami.edu