Screenwriting - Western Colorado University

Part of: Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Offered as: Master's Concentration

Degree: Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Part of: Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Offered as: Master's Concentration

Degree: Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Western’s Screenwriting is one of five concentrations in Western’s Creative Writing program. This path turns your love for film and TV into a real career. With hands-on guidance from industry-experienced screenwriters, you’ll create a personalized portfolio that showcases your unique voice. Our small classes and one-on-one mentorship help you hone your skills and learn the ins and outs of Hollywood.

Because the Screenwriting concentration offers both an MFA and an MA, you’ll be able to choose a degree that best meets your personal and career goals.

A screenwriting student checks his script with the director of the short film they are making in class on the lawn outside of the Welcome Center

Our Screenwriting concentration stands out for its blend of hands-on workshops and personalized mentorship, led by a diverse faculty of accomplished content creators. With a focus on nurturing each student’s unique voice, the program ensures high levels of individual feedback and engagement. Students produce multiple original screenworks, gaining critical skills through dynamic coursework and an efficient curriculum. The program also benefits from regular interactions with industry experts, providing invaluable real-world insights.

Our summer residencies bring together all the GPCW concentrations, reinforcing the concept that we share the bonds of creativity with those exploring a variety of other modes of artistic self-expression. Your peers, the students you’ll be joining on your journey, come from diverse backgrounds to build a supportive community that nurtures and encourages exploration and individuality.

The Screenwriting program at Western operates on a low-residency format, combining online learning with intensive summer residencies. MFA students attend three residencies, developing their visual narrative style, workshopping screenplays, and preparing for professional presentations. MA students attend two residencies, focusing on foundational skills. Throughout the academic year, students engage in two online courses per semester, with opportunities to participate in guest lectures and explore other concentrations. Both MFA and MA students benefit from hands-on experience, industry networking, and career planning support.

Our faculty are accomplished content creators with rich and varied knowledge of the ever-changing film and streaming media landscape. Through a dynamic blend of coursework and workshop-based curriculum, we offer high levels of individual engagement, feedback, and the cultivating of your emerging voice as a visual storyteller. You will generate at least three original works for the screen during your time with us.

Admissions, Cost & Requirements

Candidate must submit:

An official transcript of the bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university showing recommended 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
An 800- to 1,000-word personal statement describing the applicant’s experience and commitment to writing. This statement should include a self-assessment of qualifications for admission to Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing for the chosen degree and concentration.
A writing sample in the appropriate genre, double spaced and numbered, or properly formatted for the appropriate genre:
- The Genre Fiction concentration sample should include 20 to 25 pages, ideally from a single work.
- The Screenwriting concentration sample should include a screenplay of 15-30 pages.
- The Nature Writing concentration sample should include 20 to 25 pages, in any creative writing genre or a mix of genres.
- The Poetry concentration sample should include 10 to 15 pages of poetry.
- The Publishing concentration sample should consist of a 3- to 5-page critical assessment of a story’s suitability for publication (story to be provided to applicant during application process).
Two letters of professional recommendation from those capable of assessing the applicant’s preparation to succeed in graduate-level work. All letters must be originals submitted on letterhead, must be signed by the person giving the recommendation, and must be less than a year old.

Provisional Admission to the MFA in Creative Writing

An applicant who does not meet the requirements for full admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing may be considered for provisional admission upon the recommendation of the program director and approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies. A provisionally admitted student will have a maximum of one calendar year to complete any pre-requisite academic coursework. The program director or Dean of Graduate Studies may set additional timeline requirements.

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Program Information

Departmental representatives determine if graduate classes completed at other accredited institutions can be transferred to the respective Western graduate studies programs. Transfer credits must be listed and approved by the major advisor on the degree plan. Transferred graduate credits must be:

Earned at a regionally-accredited institution.
Numbered at the graduate level and accepted as part of a graduate degree program at the sending institution.
Passed by the student with a grade of B or above (courses with grades such as pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory are not acceptable).
Earned within the past five years unless a department specifies otherwise.
Account for no more than nine credits towards a Western degree.

Students must provide official transcripts, and request and receive permission in writing from Western to transfer coursework.

Candidate must submit:

An official transcript of the bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university showing recommended 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
An 800- to 1,000-word personal statement describing the applicant’s experience and commitment to writing. This statement should include a self-assessment of qualifications for admission to Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing for the chosen degree and concentration.
A writing sample in the appropriate genre, double spaced and numbered, or properly formatted for the appropriate genre:
- The Genre Fiction concentration sample should include 20 to 25 pages, ideally from a single work.
- The Screenwriting concentration sample should include a screenplay of 15-30 pages.
- The Nature Writing concentration sample should include 20 to 25 pages, in any creative writing genre or a mix of genres.
- The Poetry concentration sample should include 10 to 15 pages of poetry.
- The Publishing concentration sample should consist of a 3- to 5-page critical assessment of a story’s suitability for publication (story to be provided to applicant during application process).
Two letters of professional recommendation from those capable of assessing the applicant’s preparation to succeed in graduate-level work. All letters must be originals submitted on letterhead, must be signed by the person giving the recommendation, and must be less than a year old.

Provisional Admission to the MA in Creative Writing

An applicant who does not meet the requirements for full admission to the Master of Arts in Creative Writing may be considered for provisional admission upon the recommendation of the program director and approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies. A provisionally admitted student will have a maximum of one calendar year to complete any pre-requisite academic coursework. The program director or Dean of Graduate Studies may set additional timeline requirements.

Admission Requirements & Application

Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing considers applications on a rolling basis from August 1 through May 22, and all admitted students begin their coursework in early June, with online courses. Once a cohort has filled for the coming year, applications will be waitlisted or pushed to the following year’s cycle.

We make admissions decisions on all completed applications within 4 weeks of receipt. Students may be accepted, accepted with provisions (e.g. a requirement to finish their undergraduate degree before matriculating in the graduate program at Western), waitlisted (with a notification of a final decision by May 1) or rejected.

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Program Information

Earned at a regionally-accredited institution.
Numbered at the graduate level and accepted as part of a graduate degree program at the sending institution.
Passed by the student with a grade of B or above (courses with grades such as pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory are not acceptable).
Earned within the past five years unless a department specifies otherwise.
Account for no more than nine credits towards a Western degree.

Students must provide official transcripts, and request and receive permission in writing from Western to transfer coursework.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Any changes will be announced prior to the start of the summer semester.

MFA

Full-time enrollment in the MFA extends over 27 months, including required attendance at three summer residencies. Students may also attend half-time or take a leave of absence if necessary.

Term	Credits	Tuition per Credit	Fees per Credit*	Flat Fees**	Total Tuition & Fees
Year 1: Summer	5	$749.60	$73.40 + $600 Residency Fee	$600.00	$4,715.00
Year 1: Fall	12	$749.60	$73.40	$50.00	$9,926.00
Year 1: Spring	12	$749.60	$73.40		$9,876.00
Year 1: Summer	5	$749.60	$73.40 + $600 Residency Fee		$4,715.00
Year 2: Fall	9	$749.60	$73.40		$7,407.00
Year 2: Spring	13	$749.60	$73.40		$10,699.00
Year 2: Summer	4	$749.60	$73.40	$600.00	$3,892.00
Program Total	60				$51,230.00

*Mandatory graduate student fees per credit hour
$63.00 Graduate Studies Administrative Operations Fee
$6.50 Library Fee
$3.90 IT Services Fee

**Mandatory graduate student flat fees
New Student Matriculation Fee: $50.00 Charged in the Fall Semester
Summer Residency Fee: $600.00 Charged each summer the student attends the GPCW Summer Residency

MA

Full-time enrollment in the MA extends over 15 months, including required attendance at two summer residencies. Students may also attend half-time or take a leave of absence if necessary.

Term	Credits	Tuition per Credit	Fees per Credit Hour*	Flat Fees**	Total Tuition & Fees
Year 1: Summer	5	$749.60	$73.40	$600.00	$4,715.00
Year 1: Fall	12	$749.60	$73.40	$50.00	$9,926.00
Year 1: Spring	12	$749.60	$73.40		$9,867.00
Year 2: Summer	1	$749.60	$73.40	$600.00	$1,423.00
Program Total	30				$25,940.00

*Mandatory graduate student fees per credit hour
$63.00 Graduate Studies Administrative Operations Fee
$6.50 Library Fee
$3.90 IT Services Fee

For both the MA and MFA programs, students have a maximum of five years for completion of a master’s degree from initial enrollment as a graduate degree seeking student. In order to maintain active status, graduate students must register in at least one graduate course per academic year.

A master’s degree is an advanced qualification earned after completing a bachelor’s degree. It focuses on a specific area of study and provides specialized knowledge and skills. This differs from a concentration, which is a more focused area within the master’s program. Your concentration determines the specialized courses you take, shaping your expertise in a particular field. To complete a master’s degree, students must fulfill core coursework, elective requirements, and often a final project, thesis, or practicum.

MA Program Requirements MA Degree Plan MFA Program Requirements MFA Degree Plan

We are so excited about your interest in applying to Screenwriting! Please take a moment to review the application requirements and deadlines and then access the application.

Apply to the Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Scholarships & Financial Aid

GPCW Financial Aid

The GPCW is deeply committed to raising funds to support our students. Each year, we offer substantial direct-funding scholarships. Learn more about offered our scholarships & financial aid.

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Graduate Financial Aid

Graduate students at Western receive financial support from various sources, including personal savings, loans, scholarships, fellowships, and graduate assistantships. Learn more ways to offset these costs through financial aid opportunities.

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Communication
Copywriting
Editing
Fiction Writing
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Provisional Admission to the MFA in Creative Writing

Provisional Admission to the MA in Creative Writing

Admission Requirements & Application

MFA

MA

GPCW Financial Aid

Graduate Financial Aid

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Director

Associate Director

Program Coordinator