MTSU launches first-of-its-kind MFA in film and television in Tennessee
Middle Tennessee State University is expanding its graduate offerings in media and entertainment with the launch of a new Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television, set to begin in Fall 2026.
The 60-credit-hour program will be housed within the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment and is the first and only MFA of its kind at a public university in Tennessee. Designed as a fully on-ground, three-year graduate degree, the program aims to prepare students for advanced creative roles in the film and television industry.
According to professor and media arts assessment coordinator Allie Sultan, the program is geared toward students ready to take the next step in their creative and professional journey. Whether continuing directly from undergraduate study, transitioning into the industry, or advancing an existing career, the program is designed to provide the skills and experience needed to succeed in an evolving media landscape.
As a terminal degree, the MFA in Film and Television also creates opportunities for graduates to pursue teaching roles at the college and university level.
The program is structured to serve a wide range of students, including recent graduates seeking advanced training, working professionals looking to move into above-the-line creative roles such as producing, directing, and screenwriting, and nontraditional students interested in transitioning into film and television careers.
Students will have access to extensive production resources, including a state-of-the-art virtual production XR stage, a live production truck for broadcast events, a dedicated soundstage, private editing suites, and a wide range of professional-grade equipment.
Collaboration is a central component of the program. Students will work alongside peers and faculty across the college in areas such as animation, audio production, journalism, interactive media, and music, allowing them to build dynamic creative teams and gain real-world experience.
Throughout the program, students will develop advanced skills across multiple formats, including narrative and documentary filmmaking, episodic television, live production, and emerging technologies such as virtual production and ethical AI integration. The curriculum culminates in a final thesis project developed over the second and third years of study.
Program leaders say the goal is to develop a highly skilled and innovative workforce capable of creating original, high-quality film and television content. The focus is not only on preparing students to enter the industry but also on equipping them to help shape its future.
Students interested in the program can learn more and apply by visiting the MTSU website.
