Screenwriting

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Screenwriting is designed for students who plan to enter the field of Motion Picture/Television Production as screenwriters. Students receive hands-on training in development and writing for Motion Picture/TV Production, with an emphasis on story theory and format for features, TV and other media. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Motion Picture, Television, and New Media Production degree is also available.

Details

Offered At

Scottsdale

Field of Interest

Visual and Performing Arts

Degree Type

Certificate of Completion (CCL)

Academic Plan

Screenwriting (CER)

Academic Plan Code

5993

Total credits required

41-43

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Effective Term

Fall 2020

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

Produce cinematic works using film and digital media tools and technologies according to industry standards.
Apply principles of story, cinematography, and editing theory in the development of cinematic works.
Apply principles of historical and current film genres, styles, and movements in the development of cinematic works.
Apply knowledge of industry roles and techniques for development and production of cinematic works.
Demonstrate collaboration and inclusivity to promote an ethical and diverse work environment.
Demonstrate qualifications and experience as a screenwriter in a portfolio of work.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Film and Video Editors

$50,310 Show expanded career information for Film and Video Editors

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

$53,620 Show expanded career information for Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Producers and Directors

$60,490 Show expanded career information for Producers and Directors

Writers and Authors

$53,620 Show expanded career information for Writers and Authors

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
FMT107	Career Pathways in the Media	Critical course Gateway course	HU	3
FMT100	Introduction to Production			3
FMT121	Story Theory for Film, Television and Media	Critical course		3
ENH+++++	Any ENH English Humanities course(s)			3
HUM/THF205	Introduction to Cinema		HU	3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
FMT134	16mm Film Workshop: Pre-Production	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMP105, or FMT100, or permission of Department or Division.		3
FMT135	16mm Film Workshop: Production	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT134, or permission of Department or Division.		3
FMT136	16mm Film Workshop: Post-Production	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT135 or permission of Department or Division.		3
FMT123 or FMT124 or FMT224	Feature Screenwriting: First Draft or Television Screenwriting: Writers Room or Television Screenwriting: Original TV Pilot	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT121. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT121. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT121.	Students who elect the Feature Film Emphasis must take FMT123 in this term. Students who elect the TV Writing Emphasis can take either FMT124 or FMT224 in this term.	3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
CRW+++++ or THE118	Any CRW Creative Writing course(s) or Playwriting			3
FMT223 or FMT124 or FMT224	Feature Screenwriting: The Rewrite or Television Screenwriting: Writers Room or Television Screenwriting: Original TV Pilot	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT123. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT121. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT121.	Students who elect the Feature Film Emphasis must take FMT223 in this term. Students who elect the TV Writing Emphasis can take either FMT124 or FMT224 in this term.	3
FMT242AA	Professional Portfolio in Screenwriting	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT223 or FMT224.		2
FMT+++++	Any FMT Film, Media and Theatre course			3–4
FMT+++++	Any FMT Film, Media and Theatre course			3–4

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
FMT100	Introduction to Production				3
FMT121	Story Theory for Film, Television and Media		Critical course		3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
FMT107	Career Pathways in the Media		Critical course Gateway course	HU	3
ENH+++++	Any ENH English Humanities course(s)				3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
FMT134	16mm Film Workshop: Pre-Production	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMP105, or FMT100, or permission of Department or Division.	3
FMT135	16mm Film Workshop: Production	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT134, or permission of Department or Division.	3
FMT136	16mm Film Workshop: Post-Production	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT135 or permission of Department or Division.	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
HUM/THF205	Introduction to Cinema			HU	3
FMT123 or FMT124 or FMT224	Feature Screenwriting: First Draft or Television Screenwriting: Writers Room or Television Screenwriting: Original TV Pilot	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT121. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT121. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT121.	Students who elect the Feature Film Emphasis must take FMT123 in this term. Students who elect the TV Writing Emphasis can take either FMT124 or FMT224 in this term.		3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CRW+++++ or THE118	Any CRW Creative Writing course(s) or Playwriting				3
FMT223 or FMT124 or FMT224	Feature Screenwriting: The Rewrite or Television Screenwriting: Writers Room or Television Screenwriting: Original TV Pilot	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT123. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT121. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT121.	Students who elect the Feature Film Emphasis must take FMT223 in this term. Students who elect the TV Writing Emphasis can take either FMT124 or FMT224 in this term.		3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
FMT242AA	Professional Portfolio in Screenwriting	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMT223 or FMT224.	2
FMT+++++	Any FMT Film, Media and Theatre course		3–4
FMT+++++	Any FMT Film, Media and Theatre course		3–4

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=149206).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.