MFA in Documentary Filmmaking & Social Transformationonline
Get started by contacting Adriene
Adriene Crimson is this program’s admissions counselor for US students. Adriene will provide you with all the details of becoming a student, including connecting you with the program director or faculty.
International applicants may connect with us through our international inquiry form.
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Degree requirements
To graduate, students must complete all coursework, earning a minimum of 59 credits over the two-year program. By the end of the program, students will have produced the following:
- Long-Form Documentary (30 minutes or longer): A polished documentary reviewed by a panel of faculty and outside reviewers based on these criteria:
- Production Value
- Storytelling
- Balanced and Ethical Perspective
- Business (Production side):
- A professional website
- Project proposal
- Pitch deck
- Trailer
- Portfolio: a minimum of two additional short films (5-20 min) and other short productions.
- Final Presentation: Students present and screen their final project, and portfolio, and reflect on their personal growth throughout the program in front of a panel of faculty and guest faculty.
Featured courses
Advanced Practices in Documentary Filmmaking
This MFA-level course immerses students in the complete process of creating a short documentary, from concept to final edit. Working in small teams under industry-experienced mentors, students refine storytelling skills and experiment with diverse styles, from traditional to experimental formats.
Key focus areas include:
- Development: Researching ideas, refining voice, and crafting treatments
- Production: Advanced cinematography, sound, and problem-solving with limited resources
- Post-Production: Editing, narrative structure, pacing, and sound design for impact
Weekly workshops and peer reviews foster collaboration, culminating in a finished documentary suitable for festivals or portfolios.
Transcendental Meditation and the Creative Process
Fundamental to the Documentary MFA, this course explores the link between the practice of the Transcendental Meditation® technique (TM®) and the creative process. You will discover how to use TM to develop a unique and authentic voice as a filmmaker by diving within to explore the creative process from the depths of the transcendental Self. Interactive exercises, readings, and group discussions help you integrate personal experiences and creative intuition with an intellectual inquiry into higher states of consciousness. The result is a profound understanding of your unique potential as an artist and filmmaker.
Featured faculty
Stuart Tanner
Stuart Tanner is an award-winning investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker, and writer with extensive experience working for major broadcasters such as the BBC, Channel Four, and National Geographic. His films, produced across more than 20 countries, focus on current affairs and have earned international acclaim, including the Foreign Press Association’s Story of the Year and the Amnesty International Press Award.
More
His most recent award-winning documentary, Peace with Nature in Costa Rica, highlights the country’s innovative approach to restoring forests and biodiversity through progressive policies and education. Beyond filmmaking, Tanner has written for leading UK newspapers and appeared in international media, combining journalistic rigor with compelling storytelling to illuminate critical global issues.
Amine Kouider
Amine Kouider is an award-winning filmmaker, Chair of the Department of Cinematic Arts and New Media, and a founding member of David Lynch Foundation Television. He has worked as the producer, director, director of photography, and editor on projects around the world, including subjects such as high-security prisons, street children in Colombia, homeless men in New York City, refugees in Uganda, Buddhist nuns in Thailand, and Pandits in India.
Cost & Aid, 2025-26
MFA in Documentary Filmmaking & Social Transformation
This two-year low-residency online program features one on campus ten-day to two-week residency per year. The tuition listed here is for one year (two semesters) at the current year rate, subject to change in future years. The tuition includes the housing and meals for the residency at no extra charge.
| One Academic Year Tuition and Fees | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $24,190 |
| Low interest federal loans | -$24,190 |
| Your payment | $0 |
| Optional: additional low-interest federal loans | -$17,000 |
Additional Financial Aid Information
- Federal Student Loans
- Education Tax Incentives
- Veterans
Loan Repayment Options
- Standard
- Extended
- Graduated
- Income-Based
- Income Contingent
- Income Sensitive
Tuition, other fees, scholarships, and financial policies are subject to change prior to the entry date. For more information, contact us at awardofficer@miu.edu for a quick reply — normally one business day — or see more about financial aid.
Entrance requirements
To apply to the MFA in Documentary Filmmaking, applicants must:
- Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent: Submit transcript(s) showing an earned bachelor’s degree in film, media, or related fields. Alternatively, an applicant’s portfolio may be sufficient to be accepted into the program if it demonstrates significant experience and skills in filmmaking.
- Résumé: Provide a current résumé that details relevant degrees, coursework, professional experience, awards, and accomplishments.
- Portfolio: Submit a portfolio of work in film or media-related fields. Applicants lacking technical skills in areas such as camera operation, lighting, or video editing will be required to complete technical film courses before starting the program.
- Statement of Purpose: Write a statement (minimum one page) explaining why they are interested in joining the MFA in Documentary Filmmaking.
- Letters of Recommendation: Provide two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with their academic or professional work.
- Interview: Participate in an interview with the Program Directors and Faculty.
- Prior Experience: This program is designed for students who are ready to begin work in documentary production. Some prior experience is recommended, particularly with camera operation, sound recording, and video editing. After you apply, we’ll provide feedback and let you know if any additional preparation is recommended. If there are any gaps in your experience, we’re happy to help you create a focused plan.
Additional requirements
Before your first class
All MIU students practice the Transcendental Meditation® technique. If you have not learned it yet:
- Once accepted as a US student, the cost of TM instruction is covered through a grant offered by MIU
- Students are required to learn the TM technique before starting the first class
- Contact your admissions counselor for details
- Find information on the TM technique or search for a TM teacher at TM.org
FAQ
- Do I need prior experience in filmmaking before enrolling?
- Do you provide equipment for the program?
- How many hours per week should students expect to spend on this program?
- Is there an in-person component to the program?
- What kind of studios and equipment are available during the on-campus residency?
- How does the online part of the program work?
- Do I need to learn Transcendental Meditation before starting the program?
Some prior experience is recommended, particularly with camera operation, sound recording, and video editing. The program is designed for students who are ready to begin work in documentary production.
That said, we understand that relevant experience can come from many creative paths. What we’re really looking for is a passion for documentary storytelling and a background in creative work. If you’ve done writing, journalism, graphic design, or content creation – even using smartphones – you may already have the foundation needed to begin.
After you apply, you’re welcome to submit work samples for us to review. We’ll provide feedback and let you know if any additional preparation is recommended.
If there are any gaps in your experience, we’re happy to help you create a focused plan. Our goal is to make your path into graduate-level filmmaking smooth, supportive, and creatively fulfilling.
In addition to the software, you’ll need to purchase your own equipment, including a computer, camera, lighting, and sound gear. We will provide links to help you find options that suit your budget. For assistance with financing these purchases, contact your financial aid officer to explore additional grants or loans.
During the in-person residency portion of this program, we will provide film studio and sound studio access for some of the creative work done.
