COURSE CURRICULUM

The MFA in Documentary Film at DePaul University is typically a 64-credit program completed over three years and is designed to develop both strong storytelling abilities and advanced film production skills. In the first year, students focus on foundational courses such as production workshops, non-fiction storytelling, editing, documentary law and ethics, cinematography, and introductory documentary production. These courses build essential technical and narrative skills needed for documentary filmmaking. In the second year, students move into more advanced production work and begin exploring electives while taking courses such as documentary production II, editing the documentary, the personal documentary, and documentary producing. This stage allows students to refine their style and gain deeper experience in both creative and technical aspects of filmmaking. In the third year, students take advanced production and specialized topics courses along with electives that support their individual interests and prepare them for their final thesis project. The program also includes a range of electives from related fields such as ethnographic film, audio documentary, multimedia journalism, and video art, allowing students to broaden their creative perspectives. The degree culminates in a thesis requirement where students produce a documentary film of up to 30 minutes, supported by a proposal, rough cut, and final defense before a faculty committee. Overall, the curriculum is structured to take students from foundational skills to advanced documentary production, ending with a professional-level film that demonstrates their ability to research, produce, and present compelling real-world stories.