• graduate-mfa2

Some documents need to be submitted online to the CollegeNET website, while other materials are required to be packaged together and sent to our mailing address:

Graduate Studies Office, University of Miami, School of Communication
5100 Brunson Drive, Suite 4002
Coral Gables, FL 33146

STEP 1

Sign Up for an Account on CollegeNet

Sign up for a CollegeNet account online at the CollegeNet website. Please note: Your application is not complete and we cannot begin your application review until we receive all required forms. Your $85 non-refundable application fee can be paid when you submit the CollegeNet online.

STEP 2

Send Official Transcripts

Request one official transcript from each post-secondary institution (college or university) that you have attended. A baccalaureate degree is required from an accredited institution.

If you have attended a college or university outside of the United States, your transcripts and diplomas (if available) will need to be verified. Please click here for further instructions.

All students should send their transcripts by mail to:

Graduate Studies Office, University of Miami, School of Communication
5100 Brunson Drive, Suite 4002
Coral Gables, FL 33146

STEP 3

Send Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation should be submitted online to CollegeNET.

STEP 4

Portfolio Submission

If you are applying to the Documentary MFA program:

Prepare and submit the following materials through SlideRoom.

  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.

Only SlideRoom submissions will be accepted. *Items 3 and 4 of the portfolio submission for the Documentary MFA program are currently optional.

If you are applying to the Interactive Media MFA program:

Students are required to submit a portfolio. Click here to submit portfolio. Hard-copy or USB portfolios may also be mailed to the address below. Please note that we do not return portfolios or USB sticks.

If you are applying to the Motion Pictures MFA program:

Prepare and submit all required Portfolio Materials through SlideRoom. Each portfolio should consist of:

  1. RESUME (Two pages) – The resume should highlight past creative experience and employment.
  2. PERSONAL ESSAY (500-700 words) – The essay should address personal objectives for graduate study and future 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, stage play, novel, short story, new media 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.c.) Additional Screenplay written in standard screenplay format (not to exceed 30 pages)

Portfolio submissions must submitted online via SlideRoom.

STEP 5

For International Students Only

International students are required to submit the following items:

  1. TOEFL or IELTS (if applicable) scores from ETS (University of Miami Institution Code # 5815). Transcripts and test scores are NOT considered as official if provided by, or received via the applicant.
  2. A copy of passport.
  3. Copy of diploma with English translation for degrees earned outside of the United States.
  4. Official / original transcripts with English translation.

International Credentialing Evaluation Process

Domestic or international applicants that have academic credits from or attended an international institution must have their educational credentials earned outside the United States verified by an approved international credentialing evaluation service. Each of the University’s 11 schools and colleges has specific procedures that must be followed by international applicants. Visit our International Credentials page for more information.

English Proficiency Requirement

Academic success at the University of Miami depends on one’s ability to communicate effectively in English. To prove language proficiency, applicants whose native language is not English must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Official results from the TOEFL ibT Home Edition are acceptable. We do not accept TOEFL Essentials results.