certificate

Screenwriting: Film and TV Comprehensive

Designed primarily for international students who want to study in the US, this program helps you complete feature film and TV scripts and learn about production.

SEE COURSES IN THIS PROGRAM

This program is perfect for...

International students who want extensive experience in film and TV writing
Aspiring screenwriters interested in both film and television
Experienced screenwriters who want to sharpen skills and expand their portfolios
Entertainment professionals looking to expand their expertise

What you can learn.

How to write and revise a feature film script
How to write scripts for television
The business and operations of film studios and television writer's rooms
The pre-production and post-production of filmmaking

What our students say about our certificates.

What our certificates have done for our students.

85%

feel a certificate helped them enhance their careers

1 in 4

received a salary increase after starting a certificate program

50%

switched careers after completing a certificate program

85%

recommend a certificate program to others

Source: UCLA Extension Certificate Graduates Survey

Courses

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Required (11)

Elective (4)

First Requirement

Complete the following two courses.

Pre-Production and Production for Film and Television

FILM TV X 404

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Post-Production for Film and Television

FILM TV X 404A

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Second Requirement

Complete one of the following courses.

The Business of Entertainment

MGMT X 403.31

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

The Language of Filmmaking

FILM TV X 476.581

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Third Requirement

Complete the following 4 courses.

Feature Film I

SCRIPT X 410.1

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Feature Film II

SCRIPT X 410.2

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Feature Film III

SCRIPT X 410.3

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Feature Film IV

SCRIPT X 410.4

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Fourth Requirement

Complete one of the following courses.

Half-Hour TV I

SCRIPT X 421.1

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

One-Hour TV I

SCRIPT X 421.3

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Half-Hour TV Intensive I

SCRIPT X 421.1N

One-Hour TV Intensive I

SCRIPT X 421.3N

Fifth Requirement

Complete one of the following courses.

Half-Hour TV II

SCRIPT X 421.2

One-Hour TV II

SCRIPT X 421.4

Half-Hour TV Intensive II

SCRIPT X 421.2N

One-Hour TV Intensive II

SCRIPT X 421.4N

Sixth Requirement

Complete one of the following courses.

Half-Hour TV III

SCRIPT X 422.1

One-Hour TV III

SCRIPT X 422.3

Seventh Requirement

Complete one of the following courses.

Half-Hour TV IV

SCRIPT X 422.2

One-Hour TV IV

SCRIPT X 422.4

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Electives - Feature Film or Television Writing

In addition to the required courses, students must complete an additional 12 units from Feature Film Writing or TV Writing, with the option of taking no more than one course from the Development program and/or 4 units in internship credits. Browse courses by selecting the links below.

Beginning Television, Intermediate Television, or Advanced Television

Beginning Feature Film, Intermediate Feature Film, or Advanced Feature Film

Special Topics for Film & Television Writers

Film and TV Development

Certificate Benefits

Exclusive benefits for Writers' Program certificate students:

Receive a 30 minute, one-on-one goal-setting consultation with a Writers’ Program advisor, who charts out certificate program curriculum based on current student’s level of experience, interests, and writing goals
Receive advance notice of upcoming Writers’ Program courses and enroll before the general public each quarter
Receive preferential placement on wait lists
Get valuable feedback through a 1-on-1 script consultation with a Writers’ Program instructor after completion of coursework (value up to $775)
Save money on application fees when entering the UCLA Extension Feature Film or Television Writing competitions

Additional benefits exclusive to UCLA Extension certificate students:

Access to Handshake, UCLA Career Center’s online job board, with access to thousands of job and internship postings
Become a member of the UCLA Alumni Association (upon completing your certificate) and a nationwide network of Bruin family
Join us for the annual UCLA Extension Graduation Ceremony on campus to celebrate all your hard work
Get access to UCLA Recreation facilities as a student affiliate*
Open an affiliate/Guest UCLA Bruin ID Card* for a number of student-related benefits
PLUS, all UCLA Extension students have access to UCLA Extension’s Career Resources including online career coaching, workshops and networking events

*Nominal fee required

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

300.00

Estimated Program Tuition

10875.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

200.00

Apply Now

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

Internships
Available

Approved for
International Visa

VA Benefit
Eligible

Federal
Financial Aid

**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.

Internship Opportunities

An internship in film and television can provide you with practical experience in a variety of job functions. Certificate students must complete a minimum of 12 units of program curriculum (typically 3 courses) before completing the application for approval to enroll in an internship.

Learn More

International Students

This certificate is approved for international students (F-1 student visa).

Students participating in courses offered solely by UCLA Extension must meet the English Language Requirements outlined below. Any international student interested in taking classes on UCLA’s main campus must adhere to the English Requirements outlined for UCLA courses.

Acceptable tests and minimum scores

Scores that are equal to or higher than the listed minimum scores from the following tests, taken within the past two years, can satisfy the English proficiency requirement.

TOEFL: 80 (iBT)
IELTS: 6.5
iTEP: 4.5
CAE: B (CEFR C1)
CPE: C (CEFR C2)
TOEIC: 685
DUOLINGO (DET): 105

While no other type of test score is accepted in general, students who are affected by test center closures may request an exception to submit an alternate test score.

International Baccalaureates (IB) students or students currently enrolled in an academic institution where the primary language of instruction is English may submit an official academic transcript or verification of enrollment from their school as proof of English proficiency.

Learn more:

International Students: How to Apply

Academic Requirements & English Language Proficiency