Graduate Film Admissions

Deadline for application is February 15 for entry into the program in the following Fall Semester.

Because certain core courses must be taken in sequence, admission to all graduate programs in the School of Film is restricted to Fall enrollment. To apply, you must have achieved a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 as an undergraduate. You must have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. Your undergraduate degree may be in any discipline.

Proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English is essential to your success at Ohio University. Non-native speakers of English must submit official results of one of two standardized tests: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), as part of the application packet.

Please note that we do NOT require a GRE score.

1. Formal application with fee. You must apply on-line: https://www.applyweb.com/ohioug/menu.ftl 
2. Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work must be sent directly to Graduate College from your degree granting institution.
   Graduate College
   1 Ohio University
   220 Research & Technology Center
   Athens, OH 45701 USA
3. Three letters of recommendation. You should opt to have these submitted online. Once your application is submitted and payment has cleared, the system will contact the persons you have listed and give them instructions for uploading their letters.
4. A sample of your written work consisting of a paper or papers on any subject such as a research paper, article, critical analysis, or screenplay.
5. Personal Statement - 500 words maximum. (Do not mail if you uploaded it to your online application)
6. Résumé or vita (Do not mail if you uploaded it to your online application). MFA applicants must also include:
7. Creative Portfolio - examples of creative work (film, video, screenplay, or work from another medium). If you are submitting a film or video, the complete version with credits is preferred. Email Vimeo, YouTube, or personal website link to:
   film@ohio.edu
8. Statement of Goals for graduate study - 500-word maximum. If you are unable to upload this online, email to film@ohio.edu
9. A 2-3 minute screenplay that takes place in exterior locations only and has no dialogue. If you are unable to upload this online, email to film@ohio.edu

The vast majority of graduate students in the School of Film receive some level of funding. Funding comes in two forms - tuition waivers and graduate stipends. Compared with the cost of graduate schools elsewhere, we most definitely are a very good financial value. In return for funding, students are asked to complete a service assignment in the school.

On top of the generous funding packages offered by the School of Film, the cost of living in Athens is quite reasonable. Many of our students find apartments or shared housing arrangements that cost $350-500/mo. per person. And with most of our students living within a mile of campus, transportation by bike or walking can cut down your expenses even more.

Betty Thomas Filmmaking Award
Through a generous gift from actor/director Betty Thomas (Class of 1969), this annual award is granted in support of the thesis project of a female filmmaker (or filmmakers) in the Film Division.

I. Hollis Parry/Ann Billman Fine Arts Award
Offered in the spirit of new creation to stimulate thoughts, insights, and ideas, this grant is awarded to a talented graduate student allowing the students to realize a project that may not have been possible due to financial restrictions. The award may be used for, but not limited to: international travel and research, collaborative performance, travel to an “on-location” film shoot, or to build, purchase or rent equipment, etc. Film students have won this award in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.

Graduate Creative & Scholarly Activity Travel Support
The College of Fine Arts has established a fund to help support graduate students’ professional activity. Awards of $100.00 (minimum) to $250.00 (maximum) to help defray travel costs will be made to College of Fine Arts graduate students whose creative and/or scholarly work has been accepted for presentation. Students are limited to one award per academic year.

GSS Original Work & Travel Grants
Every semester, the Graduate Student Senate awards grants for graduate-level projects and research and to further graduate education through participation in seminars and conferences and foster professional development to further students’ careers.

Student Enhancement Awards
Competitive awards to support undergraduate, graduate, and medical student research, scholarship, and creative activities. Awards of up to $6,000. Film students have won this award each of the last four years.

CRSCA Discretionary Fund
Small awards of up to $500 to fund unique opportunities or emergencies for undergraduate, graduate and medical student research, scholarship, and creative activity are available upon application and approval by the current CRSCA Chair.

Need some help navigating your program requirements or applying for an assistantship? Let us know. We’re here to help.

If you have questions or need more information, feel free to contact us at: (740)593-1323 or film@ohio.edu