Overview

Students are encouraged to pursue their professional careers while enrolled in the MFA program, supported by initiatives that provide access to new play development and production opportunities in the field. Graduate students workshop their plays in collaboration with other artists and teach undergraduate courses in playwriting and screenwriting. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Script Competition awards $35,000 each year to current CMU writers for original screenplays and TV pilots. Alumni have access to an established framework of professional connections.

Career

Dramatic Writing MFA at Carnegie Mellon University candidates compete in the Sloan Script Competition. The program is one of only six leading institutions chosen to participate in the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film School Awards, which awards $35,000 in total prize money annually to two students within the Dramatic Writing program.
Students in the program are encouraged to pursue professional and academic play development opportunities while enrolled in the MFA program. Current and recent students have been recognized by the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwright Competition; Theater Masters; the WomanWorks residency at the University of Tulsa; the Mid-America Theatre Conference; the Great Plains Theatre Conference; the Last Frontier Theatre Conference; Cinequest Film Festival Short Screenwriting Contest; and been invited to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival's national conference to receive the Lorraine Hansberry Award, the John Cauble Award, the Mark Twain Prize, and the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Award. Plays by current and recent students have been published by Samuel French, Vintage Books, Routledge, and Applause Books.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Playwriting

Dramatic Writing Forum

Screenwriting

Theater Lab

Working
Dramaturgs

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-25 00:00:00

Apply anytime.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

130

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Credits

195 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Pittsburgh, United States

Disciplines

Creative Writing Drama View 385 other Masters in Creative Writing in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

130

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Other requirements

General requirements

A graduate application form submitted on Slideroom.

A personal statement of your educational and professional aspiration that addresses why you are pursuing this line of study and what you hope to gain from graduate school, as well as your artistic influences, interests and professional goals. Two to three pages should be sufficient length.

Three letters of recommendation from people who are familiar with your work

Resume

Official undergraduate transcripts(sent directly from institutions)

$100 application fee submitted via Slideroom.

For Dramatic Writing: one full-length play (or screenplay). Only PDF files will be accepted.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

37740 USD / year

≈ 37740 USD / year
Out-of-State

37740 USD / year

≈ 37740 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

37740 USD / year

≈ 37740 USD / year

Living costs

Pittsburgh

United States

1148 - 1944 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Dramatic Writing.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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