MFA Documentary Film and Video at Stanford University

Programme overview

Situated in the Department of Art & Art History, the Master of Fine Arts program in Documentary Film provides a historical, theoretical, and critical framework within which students master the conceptual and practical skills for producing nonfiction film. The MFA is a terminal degree program with a two-year, full-time curriculum synthesizing film praxis and film and media history, theory, and criticism. Courses provide an intellectual and theoretical framework for developing students’ creative work.

Faculty: School of Humanities and Sciences | Department: Art & Art History | Duration: 56 units in the programme; 45 minimum university units | Study mode: full-time | Location: Stanford, CA, United States

What you will study

Programme load is 56 units in the programme and 45 minimum university units. Requirements are organised into: Program Requirements; Research or Project Requirement.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level graduate admission (Graduate Admissions): a U.S. bachelor's degree or international equivalent, transcripts for every institution attended, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and TOEFL/IELTS scores unless exempt (U.S. citizens and permanent residents, native English speakers, or applicants with English-medium degrees). Each graduate programme sets its own GRE policy (required, optional or not considered). Programme-specific criteria are set by the department.

Tuition is charged for Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters (Summer quarter also billed separately). Graduate programmes such as PhD and Master's in Computer Science admit for Autumn entry only; Education PhD and Master's programmes begin September 20, 2027.

The graduate application fee is $125, nonrefundable, payable by credit card or bank transfer from a U.S. checking account. Deadlines are set by each programme; one application per academic year may be submitted. The application for 2027 entry is open. Computer Science MS and PhD applications close December 8, 2026; Education PhD closes November 16, 2026 and Education MA/MS closes January 7, 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/apply

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities