Departmental Executive Officer: Dean Bakopoulos
Director of Graduate Studies: Christopher Goetz
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Patrick Wimp
Head of Film and Video Production: Laura Gede
Head of Film Studies: Andrew Owens
Head of Screenwriting: Rachel Yoder
Departmental Administrator/Graduate Coordinator: Lindsay Vella
Administrative Services Coordinator: Norah Rehor
IT Consultant: Mike Hendrickson
Production Unit Instruction Services Manager:Angela Looney

59 hours of graduate credit, including:

Note on Electives: Unless otherwise cleared with the student’s Advisor and the Graduate College, only courses at the 4000-level or higher in FVP and 5000-level or higher outside of FVP (Film Studies, in CLAS, or beyond) will count towards the MFA in Film and Video Production with the following exceptions:

CINE 3865 Film/Video Production: Material of 16mm Filmmaking (as an elective)

Candidates may enroll in courses below the 5000-level from areas outside of the department but those courses will not count toward the degree.

Students are required to submit a Graduate Roadmap and a Plan of Study during their first year at the University. For the Plan of Study, students will submit an official document to the Graduate Coordinator that will be passed along to the Graduate College. This document tracks progress in the program towards degree completion and will be updated annually for Graduate Reviews that take place every Spring. The second document, the Graduate Roadmap, will be a plan for coursework throughout the student’s time in the program. This document should serve as a roadmap through the student’s time here and does not need to be set in stone, in fact, it can be updated each year as a student changes their goals and develops their ideas for Comps and their Thesis. The roadmap should be a way to organize a student’s plan and prepare them for what they would like to study as they progress through the program. This is not submitted to the Graduate College nor the Graduate Coordinator, but both the student and Advisor should maintain copies.

Plan of Study Form: MFA-POS-Template.pdf

Roadmap Template: MFA Roadmap Template.xlsx

Students may access courses on MyUI to plan their schedule. They may use Schedule Builder ahead of registration to plan out their schedule for the following semester. All First Year students will be auto-enrolled in 3 courses their first semester: Colloquium (required), an Advanced Film Studies Course, and an Advanced Production Course. They have the option to switch their elective courses upon arrival, if approved by their advisor in their first meeting during Orientation Week and if there is room left in the course. After that first semester, students will then be responsible for meeting with their Advisor ahead of the opening of registration to plan their registration for the following semester and ensure they do not have any holds on their account. Due to the fact that graduate students may enroll in 4000 level courses that undergraduates have access to as well, it is important that students meet with their Advisors and request holds on any 4000 level FVP courses before registration opens to ensure they maintain their seat in the course.

XX/XX - Pre-Orientation Virtual Meet and Greet
8/20-21 - Orientation
8/24 - First Day of Classes
9/28 - Schedule Builder Opens for Sp '27
11/01 - Inform Head FVP + Advisor of Planned Coursework for Sp ‘27
XX/XX - Early Registration Begins for Sp ‘27
XX/XX - Fall '26 Graduate Critique
XX/XX - Last Day for Grad Registration Changes
XX/XX - Inform Head FVP + Advisor of Planned Coursework for F ‘28
XX/XX - Spring ‘27 Graduate Critique

Fall Semester

Course load: 

• Graduate Colloquium (required)
• FVP Course of Student’s Choosing
• Advanced Film Studies Course (recommended) OR Elective 

Other academic expectations: 

• First Year MFA Candidates meet with their Advisor regularly throughout the semester - at least once a month, but students and advisors are welcome to set their own schedules for this.
• First Year MFA Candidates complete Plans of Study forms with their Advisors.
• First Year MFA candidates participate in the Fall end-of-semester critique.

Spring Semester

Course load: 

• FVP Course of Student’s Choosing
• Advanced Film Studies Course (recommended)
• Elective outside of the department (recommended)

Other academic expectations: 

• First Year MFA Candidates meet with their Advisor regularly throughout the semester - at least twice a semester, but students and advisors are welcome to set their own schedules for this.
• Students complete 6 studio visits during their first year.
• First Year MFA candidates participate in a Spring end-of-semester critique.
• Over the Summer, students should begin assembling their potential Filmographies and Bibliographies for their Comprehensive Exam in their second year.

XX/XX - Schedule Builder Opens for F ‘26
8/20-21 - Orientation
8/24 - First Day of Classes
XX/XX - Select Written Comprehensive Exam Committee
XX/XX - Schedule Builder Opens for Sp '27
11/01 - Inform Head FVP + Advisor of Planned Coursework for Sp ‘27
XX/XX - Abstract for Comprehensive Exam Due to Committee
XX/XX - Early Registration Begins for Sp ‘27
XX/XX - Questions for Comprehensive Exam Due to Committee
XX/XX - Fall '26 Graduate Critique
XX/XX - Last Day for Grad Registration Changes
XX/XX - Comprehensive Exam Due to Committee
XX/XX - Artist Statement Due to Committee
XX/XX - Select Thesis Committee
XX/XX - Thesis Proposal Due to Thesis Committee
XX/XX - MFA Clearance Committee Meeting Completed 
XX/XX - Inform Head FVP + Advisor of Planned Coursework for F ‘28
XX/XX - Spring ‘27 Graduate Critique

Fall Semester

Course load: 

• Graduate Colloquium and/or Media Production Workshop
• Film Studies Course (If two have not already been taken)
• Elective

Other academic expectations: 

• Second Year MFA candidates meet with Advisor regularly throughout the semester - at least twice a semester, but students and advisors are welcome to set their own schedules for this.
• Second Year MFA candidates select Written Comprehensive Exam Committee
• Second Year MFA candidates submit an abstract, bibliography, and filmography for their Comprehensive Exam
• Second Year MFA candidates submit their five potential questions for their Comprehensive Exam
• Second Year MFA candidates participate in an end-of-semester critique

Spring Semester

Course load: 

• Graduate Colloquium and/or Media Production Workshop
• Elective 
• Elective

Other academic expectations: 

• Second Year MFA candidates meet with Advisor regularly throughout the semester - at least twice a semester, but students and advisors are welcome to set their own schedules for this.
• Second Year MFA candidates submit written comprehensive exams in early Spring Semester
• Second Year MFA candidates must submit an artist statement in advance of the Oral Comprehensive exam
• Second Year MFA candidates must complete their Oral Comprehensive Exam 
  • The Oral Comprehensive Exam asks candidates to present the work they have completed in the program over the first two years in relation to their practice and research interests. This exam will also include a discussion of the artist statement.
• Second Year MFA candidates select their Thesis Committee
• Second Year MFA candidates submit a proposal for a thesis project
  • Proposals include: an abstract, timeline of production, and an estimated budget for production.
• Second Year MFA candidates complete MFA Clearance with their Thesis Committee
  • This meeting is a 30 minute session to discuss the Thesis Proposal.
• Second Year MFA candidates participate in an end-of-semester critique

The written comprehensive exam is comprised of three separate deadlines and elements:

1. The Abstract

   1. The abstract is a 1-2 page paper that summarizes the subject and/or focus of the written comprehensive exam. This should include a clear topic or focus for the eventual paper and clear research into the topic.
   2. Students are also required to submit a 10-20 source bibliography of texts related to the content of the comprehensive exam and a 10-15 film filmography of films or media related to the content.

2. The Questions

   1. Students will submit five potential questions that they are interested in exploring within the topic of their comprehensive exam. These questions should be thoughtful and considered questions about the topic that was chosen. 
   2. The Comps committee will then select one of these questions or develop a hybrid question from the list.
   3. This question will be delivered to the student at the beginning of the Comprehensive Exam.

3. The Exam Paper

   1. The Comprehensive Exam paper will seek to answer the question that has been posed by the Comprehensive Exam Committee. The paper should be no less than 10 pages in length (double spaced, 12 point font). The comprehensive written exam is a take-home exam that students will have 10 days to complete.

This exam serves as both a benchmark of your progress as a creative researcher through the program as well as a foundation to build your Thesis off of. Upon submitting your exam to your committee, they will meet and decide if the exam passes, passes with revision, or fails. The timeline on re-submission in the event of the exam passing with revision will be determined by your committee but MUST be completed before the Oral Comprehensive Exam and MFA Clearance. 

If you need assistance while writing your paper, please, proactively, reach out to the Writing Center: https://writingcenter.uiowa.edu/

Students must select a comprehensive exam committee in the Fall of their second year of study. This committee must include the student’s advisor and two other Cinema faculty. If a student would like to have an outside committee member, that is permitted in addition to the three Cinema faculty members. At least one member of the committee must be a tenure-track Cinematic Arts faculty member. This committee will stay the same for the Oral Comprehensive Exam, but can change for the Thesis Committee as the graduate college requires two of the three members to be tenure-track faculty members. Students must send their internal committee form to the Head of FVP and the Graduate Coordinator by the deadline.

During the Spring Semester of their second year, students will also complete an Oral Comprehensive Exam. This exam consists of an hour-long presentation of creative work that was completed during the first two years in the program. This presentation should include the work itself, but also context for how the work relates to the student’s research interests. Committee members will discuss the work with the student and ask questions of the process and content. During the Oral Exam, the student’s Artist Statement will also be discussed and reviewed. The Artist Statement must be submitted at least a week before the Oral Comprehensive Exam Date. 

The Oral Comprehensive Exam must be completed before the Thesis Proposal can be submitted and MFA Clearance Meeting can be completed.

During the Spring Semester of their second year, students must submit a Thesis Proposal to their Thesis Committee. The thesis proposal includes an abstract (1-2 pages), timeline of production, and an estimated budget for production. Thesis committees may ask students for more comprehensive pitches for their thesis if needed for the scope of the project. The proposal must be submitted at least a week before the MFA Clearance Meeting.

Thesis projects must be a creative media project that students will work on for the upcoming third year. The project must be completed by the end of the program and have a public presentation of the work before graduation.

Students must select a thesis committee in the Spring of their second year of study. This committee must include the student’s advisor and two other Cinema faculty. If a student would like to have an outside committee member, that is permitted in addition to the three Cinema faculty members. At least two members of the committee must be a tenure-track Cinematic Arts faculty member. A thesis committee form must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator to be kept on file.

Students must schedule a 30 minute Clearance Meeting with their Thesis Committee. In this meeting, the committee will discuss the thesis project with the student and approve it for production. If the project is not approved for production, the committee will ask for a new proposal to be submitted according to the deadline they set forth. Students must receive MFA Clearance before the end of their second year in the program.

While it is not recommended, if a student makes any significant changes to their thesis project between approval and the start of their Third Year, the student must schedule another MFA Clearance Meeting. The committee must reconvene and discuss the feasibility of the new project. A new proposal must be submitted a week before the second Clearance Meeting.

XX/XX - Schedule Builder Opens for Sp '27
XX/XX- Inform Head FVP + Advisor of Planned Coursework for Sp ‘27
XX/XX - Early Registration Begins for Sp ‘27
XX/XX - Fall '26 Graduate Critique
XX/XX - Last Day for Grad Registration Changes
XX/XX - Degree Application due for Graduation
XX/XX - Final Exam Requests (Final Defense Scheduling) due from Departments for May Graduates
XX/XX- Last day for graduate students to drop individual courses or withdraw registration w/o Grad College Approval
TBD - Grad College Commencement RSVP Deadline
XX/XX - Final exam reports due from departments (Last day to submit defense results)
XX/XX - Final Thesis Deposit Due by 5 PM CST
XX/XX - Spring ‘27 Graduate Critique
XX/XX - Spring Master's Commencement
XX/XX - Cinematic Arts Graduation Ceremony
XX/XX- Final Thesis Screening Event

Fall Semester

Course load: 

• Thesis – register for 6 s.h. with your Advisor 
• Elective 

Other academic expectations: 

• Third Year MFA candidates meet with Advisor regularly throughout the semester. 
  • Because registering for thesis hours is 6 s.h., students must meet with their advisors at least once a week during the semester to maintain progress.
• Third year MFA candidates must meet with the thesis committee once during the semester to discuss and view thesis production/progress. This needs to happen before Fall Break to allow for ample time to work through the thesis production. 
• Thesis Workshop: Third-year MFA students will participate in an end-of-semester critique to chart their thesis progress. All FVP Faculty and all FVP MFA’s are required to attend. External thesis committee members are welcome but not required to attend. 

Spring Semester

Course load: 

• Thesis – register for 6 s.h. with your Advisor 
• Elective 

Other academic expectations: 

• Third Year MFA candidates meet with Advisor regularly throughout the semester. 
  • Students should meet with their Academic Advisor twice a semester, but may have a differing schedule with their Thesis Advisor (if these are two different people).
  • Because registering for thesis hours is 6 s.h., students and advisors should work out a meeting schedule that meets the expectations and rigor or a 6 s.h. course based on college guidelines.
• Third year MFA candidates must schedule a meeting with their thesis committee at least once during the semester (before Spring Break) to view and discuss the thesis project.
  • A rough draft of the written thesis must be submitted in advance of this meeting. 
    • While this is up to your individual advisors, it is customary to submit your draft AT LEAST a week before the meeting to give your committee ample time to review it. Please establish this date when scheduling the meeting with your committee.
• Third year MFA candidates are expected to screen and defend their thesis projects in late April of the sixth semester of study for a May graduation date. A written thesis of approximately twenty pages must also accompany the thesis moving image work.  
  • Thesis Deposit is due by XX/XX. You must have completed both your written thesis and thesis film by this date.
• Third year MFA submits application to graduate. For current deadlines, please see the Graduate College website: https://grad.uiowa.edu/academics/deadlines.
  • Due by XX/XX (Don't be late! There is a chance you will not be granted your degree if you submit this late!)
• Third Year Students Schedule Thesis Defense 
  • Final Exam Requests DUE XX/XX. You must schedule your defense BEFORE this date (the defense will take place after the date, but you must submit your defense date to the department before this date)
  • For advisors: Plans of Study or Degree audit exception requests are due from departments for May graduates by XX/XX.
• Third year student completes thesis screening and defense. 
• Final Exam report due to Graduate College (follow GC deadlines) You must defend before this date.
  • Deadline: XX/XX
  • It is recommended you defend at least a week before this date so that changes can be made to the thesis before the deadline if the committee determines that it needs more work to be completed.
• Final Deposit (written thesis & thesis film) due to Graduate College (follow GC deadlines)
  • Deadline: XX/XX
• Third year MFA candidates are expected to attend the end-of-semester critique, though they are not required to show work.

The thesis paper is required to be a 20-page paper that addresses the theoretical questions and topics surrounding a student’s thesis film and/or research here in the program. This paper has historically also included personal reflection on process and form. Similar to the Written Comprehensive exam, this paper will require sources (both textual and media) with a proper bibliography/works cited page, a cover page, an abstract, an introduction, and a table of contents. MFA theses are available through the library if students would like to look at past examples.

Please refer to this document by the Graduate College for more precise formatting information: Formatting Document

If a student needs assistance while writing their paper, please, proactively, reach out to the Writing Center: https://writingcenter.uiowa.edu/ 

The MFA thesis defense functions similarly to the Oral Comprehensive Exam taken during the second year of the program. Students will have submitted their final film and paper at least a week before the defense. The committee has the option to re-watch the film the morning of the defense for review if deemed necessary. The thesis committee will bring feedback, concerns, and specific questions that they have regarding both final submissions. The candidate will then have the chance to respond to these questions and feedback. The candidate will then leave the room and the committee will discuss whether they believe the candidate should pass, pass with revisions, or fail.

If the candidate passes: The entire committee votes on the form sent by the Graduate College that the candidate passes. The candidate submits their Thesis Deposit to the Graduate College. They are finished!

If the candidate passes with revisions: The committee will decide on a date that revisions must be completed by. Once the revisions are submitted to the committee, the committee will reconvene to determine if the changes meet the expectations provided to the candidate. If everything has been corrected, the committee votes on the form sent by the Graduate College stating that the candidate passes. The candidate submits their Thesis Deposit to the Graduate College. They are finished!

If the candidate fails: The committee will submit their vote to the Graduate College. A candidate who fails the examination may attempt a reexamination, but not sooner than the next regularly scheduled examination period in the following session.The examination may be repeated only once. A student must graduate within three sessions after passing the final examination for a master's degree; failure to meet this deadline will require reexamination of the student. A session is defined as beginning in the semester subsequent to exam completion and includes summer semester, but excludes the winter session. 

To successfully complete the program, each candidate must complete a public screening of the work. The screening must be open to the public for attendance, but the format and location is not set by the rules of the program. The screening can take place anywhere in the community, but the school provides FilmScene as an option for the cohort as a collective screening space. The department provides a one-screen/one-theater reservation at FilmScene for the cohort to present their work. 

If your work is an installation, performance, or site-specific piece, please let the Head of FVP know as soon as possible (or as soon as that aspect becomes finalized) so we can make sure your final screening is scheduled well in advance of the Final Exam Report Deadline.

Important Things to Consider and Start Thinking About:

• A moderator
  • You will be responsible for finding a moderator for your post-screening discussion. This can be a community member that you feel aligns with your work, a professor from another department that aligns with your processes and projects, a filmmaker or artist from the nearby area, etc. 
• Promotion of the Event
  • A big part of getting your work out into the world is making sure it is advertised and promoted properly!
  • The department and university will handle making sure that information is disseminated about the event, but it is up to your cohort to put together the materials for the event. This can include (but does not have to):
    • A poster
    • A press release
    • Bios + Artist Statements
    • A program
    • Invitations
    • Etc.

At the end of each semester, students will participate in a cohort-wide critique session. The critique will always take place (unless noted otherwise by the Head of FVP), the Friday before Finals Week (Week 15). This session will include all members of the cohort as well as all of the FVP faculty. Students are welcome to invite any collaborators to the critique session with prior approval from the Head of FVP and the professor leading the session.

Students will present and screen a work of their choosing and the remaining time will be dedicated to feedback and workshopping. This is meant to be a work that is in a working mode rather than completely finished. Other forms of a project (pitch decks, installations, short scripts, etc.) may be appropriate, but they must be approved by the student’s advisor and the Head of FVP. 

Students must have an exported file(s) for the critique. Please submit this file 24-48 hours before the critique to the professor leading the critique.

First and Second Year Students will have 60 minutes to both show their work and receive critique.

Third Year Students will have 90 minutes in the Fall Semester to share their thesis work and receive critique. They will not have to present work in the Spring, but must be present.

During their time in the program, students are expected and encouraged to engage in studio visits with faculty, community members, and visiting artists and scholars. Studio visits can take the shape that is most valuable and useful to a student and their process but should be a planned visit of about 60-90 minutes where a student shares work in progress with the visitor and talks through feedback and process. While studio visits, on rare occasions, can take place remotely, we encourage students to have in-person visits. If a student does not want to utilize their office for the visit, they may reserve an editing bay, the sound studio, or any of the additional spaces listed on page 22.

First Year students are expected to complete 6 studio visits in their first year. To show completion of a visit, students will complete this form and have it signed by the visitor. The 6 forms are due to the Head of FVP and the Graduate Coordinator by the Spring End of Semester Critique. 

Studio Visit Form: Studio Visit Completion Form.pdf

While in the program, students employed with both 50% allocations and 25% allocations will work as a teaching assistant. At 50% allocation or 1 HTE, a student will work 20 hours a week as noted in their contract. At 25% allocation or .5 HTE, a student will work 15 hours a week as noted in their contract. This is based on the Graduate College’s guidelines, but the split of how a student’s teaching hours are spent is determined by the department. For more information about Graduate Student Employment Standards, please go to the Graduate College’s website: [Link]

Teaching assignments will be assigned and confirmed by the 14th week of both Fall and Spring semesters for the semester that follows. In order for a student’s schedule to be taken into account for their TA assignment, they must submit their intended course enrollment for the following semester to the Head of FVP and the Graduate Coordinator by the 12th week of the semester.*

Observations

Students will have an in-class observation and evaluation at least once a year while they are teaching, unless they are teaching two standalones in a year in which they will have two. The primary instructor or course supervisor will work with the student to identify a date for the observation and then choose a follow-up date to discuss the evaluation. Once completed, the supervisor will send a copy to the student for their records and submit a copy to the Head of FVP and Graduate Coordinator to be included in their file. Observations are not required for auxiliary courses where TA’s do not instruct students.

*For students teaching stand-alone courses, it may not be possible to schedule a course around your intended schedule. Please take this into account.

Non-Standalone Graduate TA Positions

CINE 1834 Modes of Film and Video Production

Most students in the program will begin with being a teaching assistant in the Modes of Film and Video Production course. This is a course with a lead instructor that runs lectures and designs the syllabus. The TA’s responsibility is to teach a lab that runs twice a week (T/Th) where technical, hands-on skills are taught and projects are critiqued. The TA grades all assignments and manages the classroom with support from the primary instructor. Students that are Modes TA’s are required to meet once a week with the instructor in a group session for 30 minutes to troubleshoot any issues they may be having in class, review material, and check in with the other TA’s.

Auxiliary Course Support

Many students may be assigned to Auxiliary Production Course Support depending on departmental needs. This role requires students to work with a primary instructor as a Teaching Assistant for 5 hours a week. The work required may include: facilitating gear set ups and reservations, equipment demos, grading, production support, office hours, film scanning, etc. A TA will not be required to work outside of the hours of the course, but they may work out timing that best suits their schedule at the beginning of the semester with the primary instructor. It is expected that during graduate orientation in the Fall, primary instructors will meet with TA’s to discuss their duties and responsibilities. For the Spring Semester, this will take place before the Fall Graduate Critique. Once a schedule and list of duties has been established and both the TA and primary instructor have signed off on it, it will be delivered to the Head of FVP and the Graduate Coordinator to keep on file.

Example courses that frequently need auxiliary support may include but are not limited to:

• CINE 3865: Material of 16mm Filmmaking
• CINE 2863: Film Festival
• CINE 4843: Image Design
• CINE 2866: Nonfiction
• CINE 2868: Fiction

In rare instances, students may be auxiliary support for a Studies or Screenwriting course. This requires approval from the Head of FVP.

Standalone Graduate Positions

CINE 1100 The Art of Smartphone Filmmaking

Once a student has completed one year of being a Modes TA (at least 2 sections over 2 semesters), they will be eligible to apply to teach a pre-designed course, The Art of Smartphone Filmmaking. This will be a standalone course where the student is a primary instructor with a faculty supervisor. While a syllabus will be provided, the students can adjust the syllabus as long as the course objectives are being met. This requires check-ins and approval from the faculty supervisor. Graduate students teaching a standalone course should turn in their syllabus to their supervisor at least one week before the departmental deadline for syllabi to leave time for approval. Teaching one section of this course accounts for 15 hours a week. Students on a 50% allocation will be required to have an auxiliary appointment to be at full capacity.

The application to teach Smartphone Filmmaking for the next Academic Year is due by the start of the Spring Semester the year prior (i.e. to apply for AY 27-28, you must submit the form by the start of the Spring Semester in 2027). 

Application Form: Application for Standalone Smartphone Course 

CINE 1820 Topics in Filmmaking

Subject to yearly availability, after a student has taught at least one semester of CINE 1100, they will be eligible to apply to teach a standalone course of their own design, CINE 1820. This course has certain learning objectives, but the content of the course is up to the graduate student. It is recommended that a student chooses an area of film production that is related to their interests or research and is an area they feel confident in. To apply to teach this course, a student must submit a course description and syllabus with their application. This topics course is meant to be an introductory level course for non-majors. When designing this course, it’s best to think about topics and filmmaking techniques that could be achievable for students with less experience with film equipment and technology. 

The student must pick a course supervisor that will be their faculty liaison for the course. Graduate students teaching a standalone course should turn in their syllabus to their supervisor at least one week before the departmental deadline for syllabi to leave time for approval. Teaching one section of this course accounts for 15 hours a week. Students on a 50% allocation will be required to have an auxiliary appointment to be at full capacity.

The application to teach Topics in Filmmaking for the next Academic Year is due by the start of the Spring Semester the year prior (i.e. to apply for AY 27-28, you must submit the form by the start of the Spring Semester in 2027). 

Application Form: Application for Intro Topics Course 

For more information about teaching progression, please reach out to either the Head of FVP or the Graduate Coordinator.

In their first year, graduate students will be assigned a First Year Advisor. This will be a faculty member that they have been matched with to work with them through their first year in the program. At the end of their first year, students have the option to either continue on with their advisor into their Comprehensive Exam and Thesis work (where their academic advisor will serve as their comps and thesis advisor)  or they may request to change their advisor. This decision must be submitted to and approved by the Head of FVP and the Graduate Coordinator.

While a student and advisor may set their own schedules and expectations, students are required to meet with their advisors twice a semester when they are not enrolled in thesis hours. The first meeting is to determine and approve their course plan for the next semester and should happen prior to enrollment beginning and the second meeting should take place before the semesterly critique to prepare the critique session. During both of these meetings, it is advantageous to make sure that the student and advisor are on the same page about meeting deadlines for Graduate College and Departmental requirements.

Offices

MFA students will be assigned offices their first year in the program. All offices are shared spaces with 2 students per office. This space is intended for editing, office hours, and course work. When sharing an office, students are expected to use headphones while they are editing, watching a film, or listening to music. If external speakers are required, students may use the Sound Studio or any of the solo editing stations on the third floor of BCSB. Keys are available to these spaces through checkout. Students are also expected to keep their spaces generally tidy. Perishable food and drinks should be removed in a timely fashion and any issues should be reported to the departmental administrator. As the offices do not have EPA approved ventilation, students should not be storing or using hazardous chemicals in these spaces. For students working with chemicals (developing, painting, etc), please check in with the Production Unit for best practices and best spaces for storage. Administrators will do office checks at the end of each academic year to ensure the spaces are being utilized and shared properly.

Computers

Each student will be provided a computer that will be kept in the office and used for course prep, research, course work, and creative projects. This computer will be wiped after they return their keys after graduation. For more information about computers and technology use, please contact Mike Hendrickson: mike-hendrickson@uiowa.edu

Keys

Keys for offices will be distributed to students at orientation and are to be returned before graduation. Studio, lab, and specialty keys will be distributed on a case-by-case basis based on need and use. For all keys in BCSB, please contact the Production Unit. For keys in AJB, please contact Lindsay Vella. 

Labs

Graduate students will have access to a collection of labs in BCSB. These include:

• BCSB 300 (Modes Lab)
• BCSB 302 (Advanced Editing Lab)
• BCSB 311 (Sound Studio)
• Individual Labs on the Third Floor of BCSB
• Linear Editing Lab

These labs require a key that can be checked out from the Production Unit at the start of the semester. 

Additional Spaces

Students may also have access to additional production spaces based on the courses they are enrolled in or their research and production needs. Spaces that are typically available to graduate students for independent or group use with a reservation include:

• Becker Communications Studies Building
  • Studios A, B, and C: Reservation Form
    • Studio A: Permanent Sitcom Set
    • Studio B: Curtains and Whisper Booth
    • Studio C: Greenscreen 
  • JK Optical Printing Room
  • Scanning Room
  • Steenbeck Editing Bay
  • Sound Studio
  • Animation Lab
  • Props Storage
  • Paint Room
  • Tool Room/Workshop
  • Podcasting/Recording Studio
• Adler Journalism Building*
  • Cinematic Arts Computer Lab (W232 AJB)
  • Cinematic Arts Meeting Room (E211 AJB)
  • Franklin Miller Screening Room (Kinoton Projector)

*These spaces are controlled by the department or Registrar. Please contact the Administrative Services Coordinator to reserve them.

Equipment Check Out

Production equipment is available for graduate students to check out through the CLAS Production Unit located on the first floor of BCSB. Please see the Production Unit’s website for a full list of rules, instructions, reservation tools, and information: [Link]

Students that create work in the program using departmental facilities and/or resources should provide a credit at the end of their film for the “University of Iowa: Department of Cinematic Arts”. This credit does not imply any ownership over the material. For logo lockups instead of text, please use: [Link]

For graduation requirements, please see the Graduate College’s website regarding graduation deadlines and expectations. [Link]

Cinematic Graduation Celebration

Graduate students have the opportunity to participate in a separate graduation celebration with the entire Cinematic Arts Department. Students are not granted their diploma at this event. This celebration includes both Graduate and Undergraduate Cinema and Screenwriting students and takes place the week before Commencement. Students will receive an email from the departmental administrator early in the Spring Semester regarding participation. Participation is not mandatory, there are no costs associated with the event, and robes are not required for this ceremony, but are welcome.

Exit Survey

When students leave the program, they are required to complete an exit survey about their experience. This survey will be sent out after the successful completion of their thesis and expected back 30 days later. This exit survey is an opportunity for students to provide feedback for the program: to let Program Heads, Administrators, DGS,  and the DEO know what is working and what is not. If a student would like an in-person meeting rather than a survey, they can request this when the exit survey is sent to them.