Creative Writing and Media Arts - Playwriting University of Missouri - Kansas City

Overview

The Creative Writing and Media Arts - Playwriting at the University of Missouri - Kansas City is a comprehensive Master of Fine Arts designed for aspiring dramatists. This interdisciplinary programme merges traditional theatrical techniques with modern media arts to foster versatile creative professionals.

Students in this programme develop a deep mastery of dramatic structure, style, and mechanics. The curriculum encourages the rigorous analysis of texts, helping writers understand the complex artistic decisions required to produce complete, stage-ready works. Participants also evaluate literary history and traditions within the playwriting genre.

Why Creative Writing and Media Arts - Playwriting at the University of Missouri - Kansas City?

This programme stands out due to its unique interdisciplinary structure, allowing students to collaborate across the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. By integrating theatre, English, and communication studies, the university provides a multifaceted environment for artistic growth. Distinctive teaching features include small-group workshops and directed graduate studies.

The university offers access to specialised facilities and a faculty of experienced practitioners. Students benefit from a curriculum that balances creative output with critical theory, ensuring they graduate with both a professional portfolio and a sophisticated understanding of their craft. This approach prepares writers for the evolving demands of the global media landscape.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 1351 per credit
• National fee: USD 1351 per credit
• Local fee: USD 538 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum requires the completion of 42 credit hours, including core workshops, interdisciplinary courses, and a final thesis portfolio. Modules may include:

Theatre and Playwriting Workshops

• Playwriting I
• Playwriting II
• Directing
• Directed Graduate Studies: Playwriting

Interdisciplinary Craft and Production

• Fiction Workshop
• Nonfiction Workshop
• Poetry Workshop
• Publication Practicum
• Creative Writing Prose
• Prose Fiction
• English Language
• Screenwriting
• Advanced Screenwriting
• Documentary Production

Literature and Theory

• Classical Studies
• Digital Humanities
• Early Modern Studies
• 18th-Century Studies
• Medieval Studies
• 19th-Century Studies
• Rhetoric and Composition
• Authorship
• Genre
• 20th- and 21st-Century Studies
• English
• Old English
• Teaching Writing: Theories, Histories, Contexts, Practices
• Histories Of Writing, Reading, And Publishing
• Girls, Literacies, and Print Culture
• Theory and Criticism in English Studies

Thesis and Research

• Thesis Portfolio

Careers with Creative Writing and Media Arts - Playwriting

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles within the performing arts and media industries. Potential career paths include professional playwriting, screenwriting for film and television, and documentary production. The programme also equips students with the credentials necessary for teaching writing and literature at the higher education level.

The focus on publication and production ensures that students understand the professional standards of the industry. Many alumni find success in literary management, dramaturgy, and editorial roles within publishing houses. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree allows for flexibility in pursuing careers across various creative sectors.