Details

General
The Screenwriting and Film Studies program is a summer program, with yearly six-week sessions from mid-June through the end of July. The degrees can be completed in three to five summer sessions. Students typically take two courses (eight credits) during their first summer, three (twelve credits) in subsequent summers. The program’s international teaching faculty is comprised of professors from leading universities as well as industry insiders. Recent faculty members have come from Berlin, Helsinki, Amsterdam, Prague, and London, and a number of U.S. institutions. Recent guests of the program have been filmmakers Tom Noonan, Les Blank, Juliane Lorentz, Candida Royalle, St. Clair Bourne, and Academy Award-winner Marleen Gorris.

Degree Requirements

M.F.A. Degree:
Ten four-credit courses (including FILM 510: Film Analysis and Research, FILM 507: Creative Writing Seminar: Screenwriting, which must be taken a minimum of two times, and, during the final summer, FILM 595: Advanced Screenwriting Tutorial), plus a thesis (eight credits total, typically four credits in each of the student’s last two terms). The thesis must consist of a feature-length (90-120 pp.) screenplay. At least 24 of the 40 classroom credits (that is, non-thesis credits) must be taken in creative courses (screenwriting, film/video production, photography). The M.F.A. degree does not require a language proficiency exam, but students must pass a comprehensive final examination.

M.A. Degree:
Eight four-credit courses (including FILM 510: Film Analysis and Research) plus a thesis (eight credits total, typically four credits in each of the student’s last two terms). The thesis may consist of an original screenplay or an extended critical or research essay. At least 16 of the 32 classroom credits must be taken in film studies courses. The M.A. degree requires that students demonstrate proficiency in reading a modern foreign language (usually French, German, or Spanish) by taking a language proficiency exam, and students must pass a comprehensive final examination.

Fees and Financial Aid
Tuition for the 2010 summer term is $645 per credit hour or $5,160 for the normal load of two (2) four-credit courses. Students loans are available. To apply, applicants should indicate their financial need on the application for admission. There is also a $40 nonrefundable processing fee.
   New students must pay a nonrefundable deposit of $400 by March 1. If a new student is accepted after March 1, this $400 deposit will be required within two weeks of their acceptance. Returning students must pay a nonrefundable deposit of $200 by May 15. All deposits will be credited toward summer tuition charges.

Housing
Housing during the 2010 summer term is available in student apartments (private bedroom with shared living room, kitchen and bath) and dormitory rooms (communal kitchen and one bath per hall). The cost is $920 for the six-week term.

To Apply
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. They must give evidence, by undergraduate record and letters of recommendation, of their capacity to undertake the program. They may also submit manuscripts or scores from the Graduate Record Examination, but the GRE is not required. Applications and college catalogs may be obtained from:

Graduate Studies Office
P. O. Box 9603
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA 24020
Phone: (540) 362-6575
hugrad@hollins.edu

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