Summer Enrollment is Open! Courses begin June 23, 2025.

certificate

Television Writing

Write up to three spec scripts in either one-hour or half-hour TV formats. This program can be completed online or in the classroom.

SEE COURSES IN THIS PROGRAM

This program is perfect for:

Aspiring television writers who want a thorough study of craft
Screenwriters looking to branch out into scripting for television
Entertainment professionals interested in expanding their television knowledge

What you can learn.

Develop and write spec scripts
Get hands-on experience scripting a TV drama
Write for a TV comedy
Gain insight from entertainment professionals and Writers Guild of America (WGA) members

Write Sample Scripts for TV

The UCLA Extension Television Writing Certificate program is a focused, results-oriented course of study where enrollees can write up to three television scripts (both specs and pilots), either in the hour drama or half-hour comedy format.

Students can benefit from professional exposure and industry connections, and are eligible for perks such as a full-scale screenplay consultation (page limits apply).

Courses are taught by produced writers and/or experienced entertainment industry professionals, many of whom are Writers Guild of America (WGA) members.

This certificate program can be completed entirely online, onsite or a combination of the two.

The full certificate curriculum is listed further down on this page.

For those who meet certain requirements, an intermediate or advanced level track is also available.

Required introductory courses may be waived upon departmental approval, however, to earn the certificate, candidates must still complete a minimum of the sum total of required core course units and elective course units listed for this Writers’ Program certificate.”

Previously completed courses in another UNEX Certificate program may apply in a limited quantity of units to a Writers’ Program Certificate if the course is eligible for the requirements. Please contact an advisor for more details at writers@uclaextension.edu.

Expect more from your education.

Learn from Industry Leaders

MFA, television writer, playwright, WGA member whose credits include Drop Dead Diva, Shadowhunters, and Hallmark movies Road to Christmas and the Christmas in Evergreen series.

Meet Zac Hug

Writers' Program Open House

Learn how we can help you achieve your writing goals in this online informative, interactive session that includes an opportunity for advising.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025
4:00-6:00PM PT

Learn More

A lot of people in different stages of the industry all came together because they wanted the time and a place to hone their craft.

Joshua Staman

Television Writing Certificate Graduate

Courses

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

Required (4)

Elective (2)

First 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

Second Requirement

Complete one of the following courses.

Half-Hour TV II

SCRIPT X 421.2

One-Hour TV II

SCRIPT X 421.4

Third Requirement

Complete one of the following courses.

Half-Hour TV III

SCRIPT X 422.1

One-Hour TV III

SCRIPT X 422.3

Fourth 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

Students must complete an additional 6 units from Television Writing or Feature Film Writing. Browse courses by selecting the links below. Courses in Entertainment Studies are not eligible.

Beginning Television, Intermediate Television, or Advanced Television

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

Special Topics for Film & Television Writers

How to Get Started

Courses in this program are open enrollment, and each course is paid for individually.

Sequential courses should be taken in numerical order, starting from the lowest course number and progressing to higher numbers.

You may take Television Writing courses without committing to the entire program.* However, by establishing candidacy in the program, you will receive many benefits exclusive to our certificate students such as priority placement on waitlists and access to the UCLA Career Center's job board.

Need assistance? If you have any questions or need advice on course selection, feel free to reach out to us at writers@uclaextension.edu.

*If you take Television Writing courses and pass them with letter grades, they can count retroactively towards certificates for up to five years.

A grade of "C" or better must be earned in all courses in order to fulfill certificate requirements.

Certificate Benefits

Benefits exclusive for Writers' Program certificate students:

Advising: Receive a 30-minute, one-on-one goal-setting consultation with a Writers’ Program advisor. During this consultation, the advisor will customize a certificate program curriculum tailored to your experience, interests, and writing goals.
Enrollment Advantages: Receive quarterly notice when Writers’ Program courses open for enrollment each quarter and receive preferential placement on wait lists.
Script Consultation: Get valuable feedback through a 1-on-1 script consultation with a Writers’ Program instructor after completion of coursework (value up to $775). Learn more.

Benefits exclusive to all UCLA Extension certificate students:

Career Resources: Access UCLA Extension’s Career Resources including online career coaching, workshops, networking events, and other resources. Learn More.
Handshake Access: Explore thousands of job and internship postings through UCLA Career Center’s online job board. Learn More.
UCLA Alumni Association Membership: Upon completing your certificate, join the nationwide Bruin family as a member of the UCLA Alumni Association. Learn More.
Graduation Celebration: Attend the annual UCLA Extension Graduation Ceremony on campus to celebrate your achievements. Learn More.
UCLA Recreation Facilities: Enjoy access to UCLA Recreation facilities as a student affiliate. Learn More.
Bruin ID Card: Obtain an affiliate/Guest UCLA Bruin ID Card for additional student-related benefits. Learn More.

How to Apply

How to Apply - Establish Certificate Candidacy

Click the Apply Now button below
Login or create a new student account
Once you are logged into the student portal, you can select “My Applications” from the left side menu at any time to return to your application. Click the yellow “Start” button to proceed.
On the Certificate Application page, follow the instructions and click save. Then submit your application.
Proceed to checkout and pay the nonrefundable candidacy fee to finalize your application.

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

200.00

Estimated Program Tuition

4320.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

300.00

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.