You are here: American University School of Communication Film & Media Arts Master of Arts MA in Producing Film, Television & Video

Master of Arts in Producing Film, Television, and Video

Develop Your Passion for Storytelling

Back to top

Admissions for the '24-'25 academic year are paused, but we welcome students to express interest for a fall 2025 start. 

Admissions information

Start an application

Contact us

Develop Your Passion for Storytelling

As film, television, and video consumption grows worldwide, there is a constant increase in demand for quality content. The American University School of Communication (SOC) Master's program in Producing Film, Television, and Video prepares you for a career as a producer or production manager of a wide variety of film and video programs: independent feature films, documentary films, television programs, educational videos, and special interest videos.

The courses in this program are primarily focused on the business side of the film and video industry, including financing, distribution, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. The curriculum also includes a scriptwriting course. This program is ideal for working adults who are interested in a career in film or video. We welcome professionals of all backgrounds.

Admissions

Our MA in Producing Film, Television, and Video is designed for working adults who want to pursue careers in producing for film, video, television, and multimedia. You'll follow a planned curriculum, taking two courses each semester on Saturdays for a total of 10 courses. Our students complete the 30-credit-hour program within 20 months. Learn more about our admissions process.

One of the strongest and most positive aspects of our program is our system of student cohorts. A new cohort begins each September. Students study, learn, and progress together… and they graduate together, becoming lifelong network of colleagues and supporters.

Film and Media Arts Watch Now Video

Claudia Myers - The Filmmaker

 

American University School of Communication Associate Professor Claudia Myers shares her passion for storytelling through film. Myers recently wrote and directed her third feature, "Shadow Girl," starring Olivia Thirlby, Alan Ritchson and Megan Fox. 

Cost and Financial Assistance

The MA in Producing Film, Television, and Video is a 30-credit program. To estimate the cost of tuition, please see the current cost per credit hour for graduate students.

The School of Communication offers graduate students both merit-based and need-based financial aid. Merit awards are administered by the SOC Graduate Admissions Office, while need-based awards are administered by the American University Office of Financial Aid. A number of scholarships are also available for students in the Producing Film, Television, and Video program. Additional financial support is available for veterans.

All merit awards are based on academic merit and professional experience, specifically undergraduate grades and leadership activities as well as career-related accomplishments. Merit awards are valid for one year — they vary in amount, are typically divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters, and are not typically renewable.

You may also be eligible to receive sponsorship from your employer to cover, in whole or in part, the costs of attending this program. Sponsorship benefits both parties — you lay the foundations for furthering your career, and your organization builds its capabilities through your enhanced relevant skills and strategic knowledge.

75 percent

of students receive financial assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

Our master's in Producing Film, Television, and Video is designed for working professionals whose schedules make Saturday classes an excellent alternative to full-time study. You'll receive intensive instruction from faculty who are leaders in the filmmaking and producing fields; you'll master skills in financing, distribution, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship; and you'll form a cohort with fellow students who bring their own diverse professional backgrounds into the classroom.

A producer is the creative and business leader of a production, an entrepreneur who has the ability to take an idea and develop it for the right market. The person who gets the award for "Best Picture of the Year" is the producer.

Our program provides the knowledge, skills, and experience to help you develop, finance, manage, market, and distribute content intended for the movie theater, the television screen, online, the boardroom, or the classroom.

We have an active and effective alumni mentoring program that will help you build your professional connections and networks. Because they appreciate what they learned here, our alumni keep returning to share their success. You'll find them working at media organizations across the country, and at local media organizations including PBS, Discovery Communications, The Travel Channel, National Geographic Television, Comcast/Universal, and Maryland Public Television. Many other alumni have formed their own production companies and are creating independent content and commissioned programs.

We also have two full-time career advisors to help you plan the next stage of your career.

Still have questions? Check our general admission FAQ or send us an email: GradComm@american.edu