M.A. in English
The MA in English at UCA is a focused program designed to build upon undergraduate know...
M.F.A. in Film
Conway, Arkansas
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The MFA in Film at UCA is structured as a full-time, three-year program designed to mold independent writer/directors proficient in every stage of filmmaking, from initial concept to distribution. The curriculum prioritizes extensive hands-on experience, ensuring graduates are comfortable with on-set operations, crewing, and equipment usage. While offering courses in documentary and experimental film, the program's core strength lies in narrative filmmaking. The final year is dedicated to the thesis project, a significant undertaking where students write, direct, produce, and edit a narrative film of approximately 30 minutes, showcasing their accumulated skills and unique voice.
Curriculum: The 60-credit-hour curriculum is highly structured, guiding students through a sequential progression of courses. The first two years focus on intensive coursework, building foundational and advanced skills across various aspects of filmmaking. Required courses include those in film history (e.g., History of International Cinema, History of American Cinema), film theory (e.g., Psychoanalytic/Marxist Theories of Cinema, Cognitive and Ecological Film Theory), screenwriting (e.g., Screenwriting, Writing the Short Film), and a comprehensive suite of production-focused courses. These production courses cover areas such as cinematography, visual effects, editing, audio production and design, pre-visualization and digital workflow, directing actors, and producing. The structured nature of the curriculum ensures students build knowledge systematically, culminating in the independent thesis film project in their third year.
Research Focus: While primarily a practice-based MFA program, the "research" component in UCA's Film MFA is deeply integrated into the creative process. Students engage in rigorous inquiry through film theory and history courses, which provide a critical framework for understanding cinematic language, cultural contexts, and theoretical approaches. The creation of the thesis film itself serves as a significant research endeavor, requiring extensive pre-production research, conceptual development, and a deep understanding of the craft. Faculty members are actively engaged in scholarly and creative activities, often collaborating with students and contributing to the advancement of filmmaking practices and critical discourse.
Industry Engagement: UCA's MFA in Film program fosters strong connections with the film industry, particularly through its relationships with regional film festivals like the Little Rock and Hot Springs Documentary Film Festivals. These connections offer valuable opportunities for students to screen their work, network with industry professionals, and gain exposure. The program's emphasis on hands-on production and the creation of a full-length thesis film provides graduates with a substantial portfolio piece directly applicable to industry roles. Furthermore, the curriculum directly addresses professional practices and career strategies within the motion picture industry, including the business of filmmaking and film marketing, preparing students for the commercial realities of the field.
Global Perspective: While grounded in Western cinematic traditions, the program's curriculum includes courses like "History of International Cinema," which exposes students to diverse global filmmaking movements, styles, and cultural narratives. The theoretical courses further broaden this perspective by engaging with critical theories that often have international origins and applications. By fostering the development of strong storytelling and technical skills, the program prepares graduates to contribute to a globalized film industry where cross-cultural understanding and universal narrative appeal are increasingly important. The mission to develop "creators, innovators and leaders in the production and exhibition of original films" with an eye towards "emerging technologies that enhance the production, distribution, and exhibition of those works in the global marketplace" underscores a commitment to a contemporary, globally aware approach to filmmaking.
Location
Conway, Arkansas
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 11400
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $50
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for international students to help make higher education affordable and accessible. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, supporting talented students from around the world as they pursue their degrees.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UCA provides competitive merit scholarships specifically for international students, awarded based on academic achievements such as high school GPA, standardized test scores, and other accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are renewable each year, provided students maintain satisfactory academic performance.
International Student Scholarship: The university offers dedicated scholarships for international students, including awards that cover partial tuition fees. These scholarships aim to attract high-performing students globally and promote diversity on campus.
Program-Specific Scholarships: Some colleges and departments within UCA provide scholarships for international students pursuing specific fields of study, such as business, education, health sciences, or the arts. Prospective students are encouraged to inquire about scholarships related to their major.
An MFA in Film from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) provides graduates with a comprehensive skillset encompassing creative storytelling, technical production expertise, critical analysis, and project management. This terminal degree positions individuals not only for roles within the dynamic motion picture industry but also for academic and related creative fields.
Film Director: This is often the primary aspiration for MFA film graduates. They possess the artistic vision and technical knowledge to oversee all creative aspects of a film, from script development to final edit, bringing a story to life on screen.
Screenwriter: Graduates can leverage their strong understanding of narrative, character development, and cinematic structure to write original screenplays for feature films, television series, or short films, or adapt existing intellectual property for the screen.
Film Producer: Producers manage the entire filmmaking process, from securing financing and developing projects to overseeing production and distribution. The UCA MFA, with its emphasis on hands-on production, provides a strong foundation for understanding the practicalities of bringing a film to fruition.
Cinematographer (Director of Photography): With expertise in visual storytelling, lighting, and camera operation, MFA graduates can become cinematographers, responsible for the artistic and technical decisions related to the look of a film.
Film Editor: Editors shape the narrative and pacing of a film by assembling raw footage, adding sound, music, and visual effects. The UCA program's focus on post-production skills prepares graduates for this crucial role.
Film Educator/Professor: The MFA is the terminal degree in the field, qualifying graduates to teach film studies, film production, screenwriting, and related subjects at universities and colleges, contributing to the next generation of filmmakers.
Documentary Filmmaker: Specializing in non-fiction storytelling, graduates can produce and direct documentaries that explore real-world issues, historical events, or compelling human stories, often working independently or with production companies.
Post-Production Specialist (VFX Artist, Sound Designer): Beyond editing, graduates can specialize in specific post-production areas such as visual effects (VFX) artistry, creating digital imagery and effects, or sound design, crafting the audio landscape of a film.
Media Producer/Content Creator (Corporate/Digital): The skills in visual storytelling, production management, and audience engagement are highly sought after in corporate, advertising, and digital media environments. Graduates can produce videos for marketing, training, or online platforms.
Film Festival Programmer/Curator: For those with a deep knowledge of film history and theory, careers exist in curating film programs for festivals, museums, or streaming platforms, selecting and showcasing diverse cinematic works.
