MFA Application Requirements

Applicants must submit all the following materials to the Graduate Division by the deadline of November 15, 2024.

LMU Graduate Application

1. Graduate Online Application and $50 application fee

LMU offers an easy online application. Apply today!

NOTE: Applicants may only apply to ONE graduate program per year. Applicants may NOT apply simultaneously to more than one SFTV graduate program.

2. Official Transcripts

Please contact the Registrar's Office of each college or university you have attended and request one official copy of your transcripts be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office. If ordering electronic transcripts, request one copy be released to graduateadmission@lmu.edu. For current or former LMU students, please read here. Unofficial transcripts cannot be uploaded. Transcripts should be sent to:

Graduate Admissions Office
Loyola Marymount University
1 LMU Drive, Charles Von der Ahe Building, Suite 235
Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659

3. Transcript / Credit Evaluation

Applicants who have completed their post-secondary education from an institution outside the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated and translated by a U.S.-based transcript evaluation service before the application is considered for admission. A few commonly used evaluation service agencies are as follows:

• Educational Credential Evaluators
• International Education Research Foundation
• World Education Services
• SpanTran

The purpose of the evaluation is to verify that your post-secondary degree is the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor's degree. A "course-by-course" transcript evaluation identifying your GPA is required.

4. English Language Proficiency Requirement (International Applicants Only)

TOEFL / IELTS: Applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) unless they received a high school diploma or a bachelor's degree in the United States. Exceptions to this rule may be made for students from countries where English is one of several official languages, as well as at the discretion of the school's administration. The minimum TOEFL score for admission into most graduate programs is 100 internet-based and IELTS Overall Band Score of 7.

• Read more about the TOEFL
• Read more about the IELTS

Please request that ETS or IELTS send your official scores to LMU Graduate Admissions. The LMU Institution Code is 4403 to request the TOEFL.

Note: If, after admission to a graduate program, the applicant's proficiency in English should prove inadequate, the University reserves the right to require additional proficiency in English. Failure to comply will result in disqualification from the graduate program.

5. GRE Scores

The GRE is required for all applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0.

SFTV Supplemental Graduate Application

1. Personal Statement

In fewer than 1,000 words, write a creative essay or short story in response to one of the following prompts:

• What lived experiences fuel your creativity? 
• What themes are you curious and convicted to explore?
• In context of other literature or movies that are meaningful to you, how do you see your writing?
• What do you want to say and why now?

2. Creative Samples

Applicants to the graduate program in Writing for the Screen and Writing and Producing for Television must complete the Creative Challenge. Please complete the following two components of the Creative Challenge (1) and the two writing samples (2):

1. Choose one of the following prompts and write a 3 page screenplay. Can be any genre. Please use proper script formatting.
   
   1. At the beginning or end of the scene, a hand holds a knife.
   2. One character has to break bad news to the other.
   3. A confrontation scene in an extraordinary location.
   4. A ride-sharing driver and their customer.
2. Two writing samples:
   1. One feature-length screenplay or teleplay (half-hour or one-hour; spec or pilot).
   2. The second sample should be the first thirty pages of a feature-length screenplay or a complete teleplay (half-hour or one-hour; spec or pilot.) Alternately, you may submit a short story or a one-act play.

3. Optional Additional Sample

Submit a writing sample from a short story, prose, essay, or editorial (5-pages maximum). 

4. One-Paragraph Synopsis

Write a brief one-paragraph synopsis of a feature length screenplay you'd like to potentially write while in the program. 

5. Video Recording

Create up to a two-minute video telling us who you are and why you want to tell stories. Simply record yourself telling your story on-camera. Do not script it, nor do you need to 'perform' the event. The recording will not be viewed past the two-minute mark.

6. Two Letters of Recommendation

Select your recommenders carefully, as this is a critical portion of your application. Each recommender must have supervised your work. Do NOT send letters from colleagues or friends. We prefer that you provide one academic letter and one professional letter, or two academic letters. You must submit the recommenders' information through the online graduate application. Recommenders will be required to submit the letters electronically. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the letters are received.

7. One-Page Resume

Need Help?

If you need more information or need assistance, please contact sftvgradprograms@lmu.edu or 310.258.4630.

For Undergraduate Admissions, please contact admissions@lmu.edu.