The program is a hands-on and highly innovative pursuit designed to foster a vibrant agora of creative media that generates both social and aesthetic influence.

Working directly with some of the most relevant and inventive nonfiction storytellers and visual journalists—as faculty, mentors and collaborators—students will gain the creative and technical experience to work in the film and broadcast industries. Upon completion of their studies students will be equipped with the tools that both enable and support individual expression, while fostering filmmakers who are fluent artistically, technologically, socially and critically.

The program in Social Documentary Film provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of non-fiction filmmaking, as well as an immersion into the critical and analytical processes necessary to conceptualize and develop film projects with content of significant social relevance. This program represents the convergence of journalism, social activism and the art of filmmaking.

The first year of study offers a core curriculum devoted to mastering tools and techniques while studying the history of filmic practice as it relates to documentary. Each student will complete five- and ten-minute short documentary films. The second-year focuses on the thesis project and courses address various filmmaking concentrations such as directing, producing and editing. Each student will direct his or her thesis film and serve as a key crewmember on at least one other thesis project.

Degree candidates must successfully complete 60 credits, including all required courses, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. A residency of two academic years is required. In the final semester, each student is required to complete a thesis project, which must be reviewed and approved by the thesis committee and the department chair in order for the student to be eligible for degree conferral.