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.

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.

First Requirement
Complete the following two courses. 
FILM TV X 404
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
FILM TV X 404A
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Second Requirement
Complete one of the following courses.
MGMT X 403.31
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
FILM TV X 476.581
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Third Requirement
Complete the following 4 courses.
SCRIPT X 410.1
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
SCRIPT X 410.2
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
SCRIPT X 410.3
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
SCRIPT X 410.4
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Fourth Requirement
Complete one of the following courses.
SCRIPT X 421.1
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
SCRIPT X 421.3
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
SCRIPT X 421.1N
SCRIPT X 421.3N
Fifth Requirement
Complete one of the following courses.
SCRIPT X 421.2
SCRIPT X 421.4
SCRIPT X 421.2N
SCRIPT X 421.4N
Sixth Requirement
Complete one of the following courses.
SCRIPT X 422.1
SCRIPT X 422.3
Seventh Requirement
Complete one of the following courses.
SCRIPT X 422.2
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

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

*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.

**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.

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

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

Contact Us

Speak to a program representative. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.

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