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

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:

  1. Produce cinematic works using film and digital media tools and technologies according to industry standards.
  2. Apply principles of story, cinematography, and editing theory in the development of cinematic works.
  3. Apply principles of historical and current film genres, styles, and movements in the development of cinematic works.
  4. Apply knowledge of industry roles and techniques for development and production of cinematic works.
  5. Demonstrate collaboration and inclusivity to promote an ethical and diverse work environment.
  6. 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 Maricopa County-based annual median 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.

Copy Writers

$38,344

Film and Video Editors

$58,834

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

$38,206

Producers

$55,628

Producers and Directors

$55,091

Stage, Motion Picture, Television, and Radio Directors

$55,628

Writers and Authors

$38,206

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

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 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 Requisites 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 Area Credits
FMT134 16mm Film Workshop: Pre-Production 3
FMT135 16mm Film Workshop: Production 3
FMT136 16mm Film Workshop: Post-Production 3
FMT123 or
FMT124 or
FMT224		 Feature Screenwriting: First Draft or Television Screenwriting: Writers Room or Television Screenwriting: Original TV Pilot 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 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 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 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 Notes Area Credits
FMT134 16mm Film Workshop: Pre-Production 3
FMT135 16mm Film Workshop: Production 3
FMT136 16mm Film Workshop: Post-Production 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 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 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 Notes Area Credits
FMT242AA Professional Portfolio in Screenwriting 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.