A professor points towards a student as another student records the interaction on a mounted camera

Film and Creative Media (MA)

Program Overview
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Tuition & Aid

NEW MA PROGRAM FOCUS

SCREENWRITING STARTING SUMMER 21
FILM STUDIES STARTING FALL 21

Earn your MA in Film & Creative Media at Lipscomb University. Learn from those working in the industry of film and television to strengthen your craft of writing for the screen or about the film & television industry. Engage with professors who will guide you in critical thinking about how film and television intersect with popular culture, society and the globe.

Prior to entry, it is expected that students have acquired the basic knowledge and skills needed to write, evaluate and engage in critical thought at the graduate level. Proficiency in the English language, basic writing skills such as spelling and grammar is a must.

How it Works

After meeting with the Graduate Program Director, YOU will have a customized plan of study that allows for artistic exploration while developing the technical proficiency to undertake your thesis project: a pilot episode or teaser short film and a complete pitch package for the project you want to take to the world! YOU may also wish to study film and the industry of film in order pursue a PhD. It’s all an exciting and fulfilling investment in your future.

Note that the Program of Study, decided between the student and the program director, will be followed as closely as possible over the duration of the student’s program. Some flexibility will be given to students if the courses are not available in the time table the student needs or if areas of interest change as the student experiences new aspects of content creation and film studies.

Program Foundations

Thesis

Each student will complete a thesis project relevant to their area of focus.

Screenwriting – This includes a feature screenplay, complete pitch deck and budget estimate. Students will hold a reading and will do a verbal pitch of their project.
Film Studies – This includes a Thesis Prospectus, Thesis Paper (approved by Thesis Advisor), Thesis Defense.
All students will also develop a ‘Walk Away Project’- This is a project where the candidate will research and outline a plan for their next project or step toward his/her career goals.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the graduate program must submit the following:

Application with $50 nonrefundable fee ($75 for international students)
GRE not required if undergrad GPA is above 3.0.
Standardized exam score
Official transcript(s)
Three letters of recommendation
Screenwriting sample for Screenwriting focus
- The screenplay sample can be a short—up to 10 pages, or the first 10 pages of a feature screenplay.
Academic writing sample for Film Studies focus
One page critique of any film or tv show
Interview
The Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for international students.

International Students

Courses

Required for all MA students

Writers in Development
Story & Structure
Redemptive Media
History of Film or History of TV
Thesis

Electives With Screenwriting Focus

Screenwriting I
Screenwriting II
Writing for TV
Writing for TV II
Writers Room Intensive
The Adaptation
Media Entrepreneurship
Film & Television Genres
Film & TV Seminar
Film Production Workshop
Professional Practicum
Film Special Topics

Electives with Film Studies focus

Intro to Grad Studies
Pedagogy of TV & Film
Global Film
Advanced Film Theory
Film & Television Genres
Film & TV Seminar
History of American Animation
Media Entrepreneurship
Professional Practicum
Film Special Topics

Tuition & Aid

Tuition: $1,048* per credit hour; students can audit for no credit at a rate of 50 percent of regular tuition
Books and Fees: Not included in tuition
Application Fee: $50 (international $75)
Graduation Fee: $195

*Note: The graduate tuition rates may increase annually, effective each summer semester.

Incidentals

The tuition cost does not include program fees or equipment purchasing fees. While most of the gear will be provided for first year students on a loan/check out basis, it is required that students buy a MacBook Pro loaded with filmmaking software. You can choose to buy one through the university in your first semester in the program.

Also note that each student is responsible for costs of their own productions.

Types of Aid

Assistantships and Scholarships

Student Loans

As a graduate student, you are still able to file the FAFSA—and you should! By filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you may be eligible for a number of student loans.

Federal Stafford Loan

A borrower must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment for at least six semester hours and must be working toward a degree or certificate. Loans must be actively accepted in myLipscomb in order to be applied as an expected payment to the student bill. Stafford Loans will not pay until the student has completed both Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note at studentloans.gov. Loans will not be credited to accounts until 30 days after classes begin or when a student begins the sixth credit hour, whichever comes last.

Graduate PLUS Loan

The Graduate PLUS Loan is available to independent graduate students. Both loans require credit approval by the Department of Education, as well as a FAFSA submission. Apply.

Private Loans

In addition to the federal loans outlined here, you may consider private loans made by banks and other financial institutions. It is recommended that private loans only be considered in instances where funding is needed in addition to any federal loans, as interest rates may be higher. Eligibility for these loans requires a credit check and students are often required to have a cosigner to qualify.

Veteran Aid/Yellow Ribbon Program

Through an agreement with the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Lipscomb University will guarantee some level of graduate tuition funding, applicable to all Lipscomb University graduate programs, for graduate students who qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Depending on program tuition rates, the graduate tuition funding may or may not cover the total tuition cost of the program.

The Yellow Ribbon Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post- 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses. View eligibility requirements.

Any questions concerning eligibility or benefits should be directed to the VA school-certifying official located in the lower level of Bennett Campus Center, Suite 140, or visit their website.

Contact Information

Graduate and Adult Admissions, Admin

Greg Snodgrass
Assistant Director of Graduate Enrollment
615.966.5100
greg.snodgrass@lipscomb.edu

Graduate Admissions

615.966.1750
gradadmissions@lipscomb.edu

Networking

Both our deeply connected faculty and our experiential learning opportunities offer myriad ways for you to form relationships with leaders in the industry. These connections will serve and support you throughout your career.

Nashville

A big city. An even bigger opportunity. We consider Nashville an extension of our classroom, and as a leading city in many industries, that means you’ll gain experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else.

Small Class Sizes

You’ll have opportunities to engage in meaningful discussion, receive one-on-one faculty mentorship and ask difficult questions in our small class sizes. Plus, you’ll feel supported in a tight-knit learning community.

Our Faculty

Steve Taylor

Assistant Professor

Steve Taylor is a filmmaker, writer, producer and recording artist who earned his "Renaissance Man" stripes (Prism Magazine) from a body of work that's garnered him multiple Grammy, Billboard, Telly,...
Meet Steve Taylor

Career Paths

Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators

Film and video editors and camera operators manipulate moving images that entertain or inform an audience.

Producers and Directors

Producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows, live theater, commercials, and other performing arts productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.

Actors

Actors express ideas and portray characters in theater, film, television, and other performing arts media. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.