The M.F.A. degree is designed to prepare students for professional careers in film, video, and digital media. Graduates are qualified to teach at the university level. The philosophy of the program is predicated on a paradigm of independent media that values artistic expression, aesthetics, social awareness, and an articulated perspective. Students become conversant with the documentary tradition as well as with alternative media and new directions in documentary. In addition to the training in documentary production, students graduate from the program with substantive research skills in film criticism and film analysis. The non-production courses provide an intellectual and theoretical framework within which creative work is realized. The dual emphasis on production and theory classes fully prepares the student to undertake an academic position that typically requires the teaching of both film studies and media production.

For a glimpse of the Film and Media Studies Program, featuring student filmmakers and faculty, please view The Arts Initiative and the Art of Filmmaking.  The School of Humanities and Sciences has featured recent graduate students Rebekah Meredith ('11) and Maria Fortiz-Morse ('10) talking about the program.  Jan Krawitz, director of the program, was interviewed recently for the article "Should Aspiring Documentary Filmmakers Go To Film School?" on the POV website.  Also, here is an article written by the San Francisco Film Society about the program and the 2010 Fall MFA Screening.

Campus Visits


In the Fall, we hold several informational meetings so that we can familiarize you with the documentary program and answer any questions you might have. We understand that for many applicants a visit is not feasible, so please be assured that those applicants who we do meet are not privileged in the application process.

During the visit, you can meet with faculty members, have a tour of the facilities, and view recent student work. Prospective students should plan to be here for 2 1/2 hours. These visits may occur before the application or once you have applied, but must be scheduled in advance. If you would like to reserve a space for one of these meetings, please email art_grad_admissions@stanford.edu,  the Student Services Administrator in the Department of Art & Art History.  Request the date of the session you would like to attend, and include your email address and cell phone number.  Dates will be updated in by the end of June.

Session Dates

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

4:15 - 6:45 p.m.

Session Full

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

4:15 - 6:45 p.m.

Session Full

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

4:15 - 6:45 p.m.

Session Full

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

4:15 - 6:45 p.m.

Session Full