"Better than any class I had while getting my MFA." That's what one student had to say about the UCLA Professional Program in Screenwriting, the only non-degree screenwriting program that has oversight by the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, and the only viable alternative to the UCLA MFA screenwriting program. In the Professional Program, students focus on the theory and craft of professional screenwriting, without having to take the critical studies seminars and related electives that are required to obtain a degree. The goal of this graduate-level program, which takes place over three academic quarters, is for the student to start and complete two original feature length screenplays. Upon successfully finishing the Professional Program, students receive a certificate of completion. The program will begin in September 2010 and will come to a close in June 2011. Each student attends two classes per week - a lecture class and a screenwriting workshop. The lecture is held on Monday nights, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, and is taught by UCLA Screenwriting Co-Chair Hal Ackerman, who teaches a similar course in the MFA program. The screenwriting workshop takes place on Tuesday, Wednesday OR Thursday night, depending on which one the student is placed in (schedule conflicts are taken into consideration). Workshops begin at 7:00pm and end at 10:00pm. The workshops are taught by UCLA faculty, all of whom are produced screenwriters. Highlights of the on-campus program include the annual UCLA Professional Programs Screenplay Competition, an agent/manager panel, and guest speakers from the industry. Previous guest speakers in Hal Ackerman's classes have included Michael Colleary (Face/Off), Nancy Oliver (Lars and the Real Girl), Fernley Phillips (The Number 23), Felicia Henderson (Gossip Girl), Billy Ray (Breach), Paul Haggis (Crash), Dan Futterman (Capote), Pamela Gray (A Walk on the Moon), Ed Solomon (Men in Black), Nicholas Griffin (Matchstick Men), Scott Kosar (The Machinist), and Sacha Gervasi (The Terminal). Because so few applicants are accepted into the MFA program each year, the UCLA Professional Program in Screenwriting was created to bring a greater number of promising screenwriters to UCLA. This is the perfect way to get a respected UCLA screenwriting education, to receive honest feedback on your screenplays, and to work under a regimen that will allow you to come away with two completed feature-length screenplays in only one academic year - all while keeping your day job. Not ready to relocate to Los Angeles? There is an online version of this program. Click here to see what alumni are saying about the Professional Program in Screenwriting. And check out our MySpace page to read about alumni accomplishments. International Students, please note: At this time, the Professional Program in Screenwriting does not qualify International Students for a UCLA I-20. We encourage interested International Students to consider the online version of the program. To apply, you must have an undergraduate degree in any field. APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE HERE IN JANUARY 2010. Statement of Purpose (One page -- double-spaced OK; see FAQ's for further info) Writing Sample (5 pages; see FAQ's for further info) Copy of Bachelor's Degree Certificate OR Undergraduate Transcript (non-official copy OK) Start Date: September 27, 2010 End Date: Week of May 30, 2011 Tuition: $4500 for the year ($1500 deposit due with application; balance due by September 3, 2010) Click here for more tuition information. The Advanced Workshops in Screenwriting are open to students who successfully complete the year-long Professional Program in Screenwriting. In an Advanced Workshop, students meet once per week, from 7-10pm. Workshops take place on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night, and are limited to eight students. In order to participate in an Advanced Workshop, you must be committed to the goal of starting and completing an original feature-length screenplay within the ten-week quarter (adaptations and rewrites are not permitted). Students who successfully complete three Advanced Workshops (one per quarter) receive a certificate of completion. Workshops do not have to be taken consecutively in order to receive the certificate. This program is also available online. The Advanced Workshops are open only to students who have successfully completed the year-long Professional Program in Screenwriting. To enroll, send in the completed Enrollment Form with payment by the application deadline. IMPORTANT: Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. No more than eight students will be enrolled in each workshop. Start Date: Week of January 4, 2010 Duration: 10 weeks, one meeting per week Tuition: $1100 for the quarter ($850 for students who have already received their Advanced Program certificate) The Mentorship Program is not currently available, but may be reinstated in the future. In the UCLA Summer Workshop in Screenwriting, students meet once per week (7-10pm) in a three-hour workshop that stresses the theory and craft of professional screenwriting. Over the course of ten weeks, each student develops a concept, outlines a story, and completes the first act of an original feature screenplay. This workshop is a great introduction to UCLA screenwriting. Students who successfully complete the summer workshop and choose to enroll in the year-long program do not need to resubmit supporting materials such as a Writing Sample. Students who continue in the year-long program must begin a new script. To apply, you must have an undergraduate degree in any field. APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE HERE IN JANUARY 2010. Statement of Purpose (One page; see FAQ's for further info) Writing Sample (5 pages; see FAQ's for further info) Undergraduate Transcript (non-official copy OK) or copy of Undergraduate Bachelor's Degree Certificate Start Date: Week of June 28, 2010 (specific day of the week TBD) End Date: Week of August 30, 2010 Tuition: $1100 for the summer (due with application)