About Master’s Program,
The Department welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. Review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays in order to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field.
The program is intensive and requires residency for two consecutive years. The admissions committee seeks applicants who are highly motivated, have some work experience beyond their undergraduate years, and can articulate why they want to learn documentary film and video production. The committee looks for evidence of the likelihood of success in an academically demanding program that emphasizes creative work. The conceptual and technical skills required for documentary work are sufficiently different from fictional narrative to make the Stanford program inappropriate for students interested in narrative filmmaking.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
The program requires residency for two consecutive years. The admissions committee seeks applicants with work experience beyond their undergraduate years and can articulate why they want to learn documentary film production. The committee looks for evidence of the likelihood of success in a rigorous academic program emphasizing creative work. The conceptual and technical skills required for documentary work are sufficiently different from fictional narratives to make the Stanford program inappropriate for students interested in fiction filmmaking. The program does not allow for deferred admission or a mid-year enrollment.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
Students in the MFA Program in Documentary Film and Video receive a generous amount of financial support. In the first year of the program, students receive fellowship including a stipend and tuition. In the second year, students are eligible for teaching assistantships which provide both salary and tuition allowance.
Finally, the program offers funds toward the costs of student productions made within the program. The program also provides each student with a fully equipped individual editing room, access to production equipment, and technical support. Students retain copyright of the films they made within the program.
Additional information about graduate financial aid, including a student budget and tuition calculator are available at http://financialaid.stanford.edu/grad.
Application Requirement,
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. The department does not accept applicant recommendation via a letter service (i.e. Interfolio or other service). For additional information, please see Submitting Online Recommendations.It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that letters are submitted to the electronic application by the published deadline. Please only submit three letters.
- Transcripts: Upload a scanned copy of your official transcript(s) with the online application. Applicants must upload transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended as a full-time student and for at least one academic year. Transcripts from current degree programs also need to be submitted.
- Statement of Purpose: You must indicate in the first sentence of your SOP the name of the program to which you are applying and the area you wish to study. The Statement of Purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at Stanford, your preparation for this field of study, research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. The Statement of Purpose should not exceed two pages.
- Application Fee: The application fee $125, is non-refundable, and must be received by the application deadline (fee waivers are available to eligible students. Please see Graduate Fee Waiversfor more information). The Department does not offer fee waivers outside of the process at the Graduate Fee Waivers Please do not contact the department requesting to waive the application fee.
- GRE Scores: Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test is no longer required for admission to the Department of Art & Art History.
- TOEFL Scores: Required when first language is not English; IELTS is not accepted. Please note that the department can NOT waive the TOEFL requirement. If you wish to submit a request for TOEFL waiver, please see GRE and TOEFL Requirements. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the scores are submitted to the electronic application by the published deadline.(Note: To bypass the entry of TOEFL scores in the application, enter a future test date. You can add in the additional information section of the application that you have received a waiver from Graduate Admissions.)
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2025
Application Fee,
The application fee $125, is non-refundable,
