Why Pursue a Film Master's Degree
The MFA in Film and Media is a professional and creative graduate degree designed for filmmakers and media creators who want to expand their craft while developing a strong conceptual and critical voice. This terminal degree focuses on hands-on training and practice in filmmaking, preparing students to create original work and to teach at the university level if they choose.
Students take coursework in production, history and theory and pedagogy, culminating in the creation of an original, high-quality production that serves as the centerpiece of their professional reel. Bring narratives to life with cutting-edge equipment in the Film Production Hub, which includes a screening room, shooting spaces, a post-production sound suite, editing lab and an equipment rental room.
Learn from Expert Faculty
The Film and Media master’s program is led by our award-nominated faculty, who are experienced industry professionals with credits spanning iconic television, movies, music and commercials for major brands such as H-E-B, Whataburger, Converse, Panera, Nissan, GQ and more.
Program faculty provide real-world insight, mentorship and valuable industry connections to prepare students for successful careers in the film and media industry.
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UT San Antonio Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UT San Antonio Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UT San Antonio by the appropriate application deadline.
| Film and Media (MFA) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours | |
| Coursework | Completed adequate credit hours or foreign institution equivalent coursework as preparation for the program. | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from FCSA or any NACES-approved credential evaluation agency. | |
| English Language Proficiency | 79 TOEFL iBT / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026: We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.0. |
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| Purpose Statement | Required max. 2 pages, single-spaced, 12pt font. The purpose statement should introduce the applicant, contextualize the portfolio materials, explain how the applicant fits into the program based on their goals, and what they hope to achieve through the program (including addressing possible thesis projects). | |
| Resume | Required | |
| Portfolio | Required Applicants should submit a portfolio showcasing their most relevant work. Portfolios can include up to three submissions in any combination of the following: a short reel or compilation (max. 5 mins), short film(s) (max. 8 mins each), a photography series (5-10 photos with a cohesive theme or story), and/or screenwriting sample(s) (max. 10 pages each). | |
| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| Film and Media (MFA) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Applicants can expect to receive an admission decision within 4 to 6 weeks after March 15th. | |||
| Application Deadlines for: | Priority | International | Domestic |
| Fall 2026 | June 30 | August 1 | |
| Spring | Not Available | Not Available | |
| Summer | Not Available | Not Available | |
Funding Opportunities
ResourcesCareer Options
UT San Antonio prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below are based on data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.
The MFA in Film and Media provides graduate-level skills in production, with supporting coursework in screenwriting, history & theory and pedagogy, culminating in an original thesis production project. Take a look at a few featured courses:
- Writing for Short-Form Media
- Writing for Episodic TV/Streaming
- Writing for Feature Film
- History of Narrative Film I
- Directing
- Lighting and Cinematography
- Sound Recording, Mixing, and Editing
- Teaching Film Studies
- Teaching Film Production
- Thesis Development and Pre-Production
For a full list of courses, visit the Graduate Catalog.
In this program, you will expand your knowledge and skills in the following key filmmaking areas:
Creative & Content Development
Screenwriting
Editing
Content creation
Technical Equipment
Camera work
Sound recording
Lighting
Software & Post-Production Tools
Adobe suite
DaVinci Resolve
ProTools
Final Draft
