CSUN Master of Fine Arts Screenwriting Application for Fall 2025

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Welcome to CSUN's Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting application. Our two-year program focuses on developing each writer's unique voice and on mastering the foundation of all cinema and television narratives – the script. 

Students learn structural concepts, character creation, the art of writing great dialogue and other essential techniques used in writing compelling stories for half-hour, one-hour and feature-length scripts. The CSUN MFA Screenwriting Program is an intensive and collaborative writing and educational experience that prepares students to pursue rewarding creative professions in the entertainment industry. It also prepares those, including experienced industry professionals, who intend to teach at the college and university levels. All of our courses are taught at night from 7:00pm - 9:45pm to accommodate working professionals.
 

Applications are accepted once a year, from October 31st through March 1st, for the following Fall semester. We do not offer spring admissions. 


Application instructions: Applications are completed and submitted online. Paper, email, late or incomplete submissions cannot be accepted.


NOTE: You must apply to both the CSUN Department of Cinema and Television Arts (using this form) and to California State University, Northridge (using link below).
 


STEP 1: Apply to CSUN Department of Cinema and Television Arts MFA Screenwriting Program

  • You must use an existing Submittable.com account or create a free Submittable.com account at https://www.submittable.com
  • You must click SUBMIT when your online application is complete. If you do not click SUBMIT your application will NOT be visible to the review committee and will not be considered for admission. 
  • You may save and come back to your application at any time before the due date by clicking SAVE DRAFT at the bottom of the online application form. 


STEP 2: Apply to California State University, Northridge, using Calstate Apply

  • To access the university on-line application, please visit: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply
  • Both the CTVA Department and the CSU application periods for our MFA in Screenwriting program are the same, October 10, 2024, through March 1, 2025.  NOTE: Calstate Apply may list a later date for their application, but you must submit this application by March 1st, 2025, to be considered for the Fall 2025 start. 


 

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.