The California State University, Northridge Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting degree is for students who seek a rigorous, professionally oriented education in writing for film and television. The Department of Cinema and Television Arts prepares highly skilled and motivated individuals for careers in the entertainment industry and for careers as artist-teachers in college and university film and television departments. Only applicants who demonstrate an exceptional level of talent, creativity and commitment to personal intellectual development will be admitted into the program. The highest academic and artistic standards, as well as professional decorum, will be expected throughout the course of study. Forty-two units of graduate work are required, including the writing of motion picture screenplays, narrative television scripts, directing for TV and a culminating experience writing a feature-film screenplay as the M.F.A. thesis for this terminal degree.

Some specific career choices for graduates of the Department of Cinema and Television Arts include the following: Those involved in television, film or new media production create, supervise or assist in the entire range of activities related to developing and executing projects. Creative occupations in this area include the selection of stories, talent and materials; art, set and lighting design; directing; cinematography and camera operation; audio recording and mixing; live television switching or editing; film editing; and other production and post production technical functions. Positions are available in commercial film studios, independent production companies, and houses and studios; post production facilities; broadcast stations and networks; cable operations; video game companies; government agencies; hospitals; business corporations; educational institutions; and other organizations with audiovisual and multimedia facilities. Screenwriters create scripts for motion pictures, television or new media productions (including video games, VR/AR, webisodes and other web content); for commercials; for promotional and public service announcements; for continuity material used to introduce and connect various segments of musical, variety, reality and sports programs; and for film, video and new media productions for corporate or nonprofit clients. They may work directly for a studio, station or network; work on a freelance basis; or may be under contract to independent production companies.