A: Students new to screenwriting are required to take the following courses:

• X440A – Writing the First Screenplay I
• X440B – Writing the First Screenplay II
• X440C – Writing the First Screenplay III
• X400D – Writing the First Screenplay IV

Students who have completed at least one feature-length screenplay may opt instead to take the following courses:

• X431.101 – Feature Film Writing Workshop: Outline and Act I
• X431.102 – Feature Film Writing Workshop: Acts II and III
• X431.57 – Intermediate Rewrite

There are six courses total required to complete the program. Aside from the above “core” courses, students fill the remaining requirements with electives. There are also exceptions to the sequences above, and we strongly recommend speaking with an advisor for personalized guidance prior to enrolling.

A: The following courses are required:

• X430.4 – Beginning Writing for the 1-Hour Spec I
(or) X430.6 – Beginning Writing for the Half-Hour Spec I
• X431.4 – Beginning Writing the 1-Hour Spec II
(or) X431.6 – Beginning Writing the Half-Hour Spec II
• Any 3-unit Intermediate or Advanced Level Television Course

There are six courses total required to complete the program. Aside from the above “core” courses, students fill the remaining requirements with electives. At least one elective must be a television writing or rewriting course. There are, however, exceptions to the rule and we strongly recommend that you speak with an advisor for personalized guidance prior to enrolling.

A: The following courses are required:

• X404 – Pre-Production for Film and Television
• X404A – Post-Production for Film and Television
• X403.31 – The Business of Entertainment
(or) X476.581 – The Language of Filmmaking
• X440A – Writing the First Screenplay I
• X440B – Writing the First Screenplay II
• X440C – Writing the First Screenplay III
• X400D – Writing the First Screenplay IV
• X430.4 – Beginning Writing for the 1-Hour Spec I
(or) X430.6 – Beginning Writing for the Half-Hour Spec I
• X431.4 – Beginning Writing the 1-Hour Spec II
(or) X431.6 – Beginning Writing the Half-Hour Spec II
• Two (2) additional Beginning, Intermediate or Advanced Level Television Courses

There are fifteen courses total required to complete the program. Aside from the above “core” courses, students fill the remaining requirements with electives. Students must complete 12 elective units from selections in Feature Film Writing and Television Writing, with the option of substituting one course in the Entertainment Studies’ Certificate in Development.

A: If you have studied for a minimum of four years in an academic institution located in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or English-speaking Canada, or if you have earned a master’s degree in one of the above-indicated countries, your TOEFL or IELTS score may be waived.

If you completed level 107 of the Academic Intensive English Program (AIEP) and received an “A,” your score may also be waived.

A: An elective course is any 3-unit course not listed as a “core” writing course. They are
indicated as such in the course catalog description. Students can also satisfy one elective requirement by combining various 2-day, or short-term courses, provided the total units add up to 3. *Note: not all short term courses are for credit. Consult your student advisor before proceeding.

A: You may enroll in courses anytime for the next available quarter.

A: Yes. You must receive a grade of “C” or better to earn the certificate.  “C-”  or lower is considered a fail.

A: Typically students are expected to complete in 18 months for the Feature Film or Television Writing certificates.  Those enrolled in the Screenwriting: Film and Television Comprehensive are expected to complete within 18 months for full-time students and 18-36 months for part-time students.  You have a maximum of five years before your candidacy expires.  If for some reason a required course is not offered in a particular quarter, please consult an advisor so a reasonable substitution will be made.

A: While courses at other institutions will help you attain advanced status, they are not a replacement for Writers’ Program screenwriting courses. Only courses taken in the screenwriting section of the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program will apply to the certificate.

A: No. Courses in other areas of study do not apply except for those students who are enrolled in the Certificate in Screenwriting: Film & TV Comprehensive.

A: Yes, provided the courses: (1) meet the curriculum requirements; (2) were taken for a letter grade and a “C” or better was earned; and (3) were taken in the past year. If they do not match required or elective courses, or if the courses are part of an outdated curriculum, the units may not apply. Consult an advisor to discuss your specific situation prior to enrolling in a certificate program.

A: No. Once a grade or grading status is assigned, it is final.

A: No. You may begin at the intermediate or advanced level, provided you can meet the demands of the course. Please read the course descriptions thoroughly and consult an advisor if you have specific questions. If an instructor does not feel you’ve met the requirements for a course, you will be asked to drop the course.

A: Yes. However, you should consult with an advisor who will review your transcript. If you are eligible to receive the certificate, the advisor will process the order once the fee is paid.

A: Please review the instructor bios which are listed in the catalog. Also, please consult the instructor teaching statements to see how different instructors approach the craft of screenwriting. If you still have questions, please consult an advisor.

A: Yes. You may transfer your candidacy to either of the two certificate programs. Please be advised that not all courses may transfer over. Consult an advisor for individualized guidance.

A: No.  As stated by UCLA Extension policy on refunds, “Certificate candidacy and miscellaneous application fees are nonrefundable.”  However, if you wish to appeal due to special circumstances, please email refundexceptions@uclaextension.edu.

A: Yes. Most often these will count as an elective. Consult a student advisor beforehand.

A: Yes. However, only the Certificate in Feature Film Writing or Television Writing may be taken entirely online.  The Certificate in Screenwriting Comprehensive is currently not available fully online.

A: Once you have completed your coursework, please contact us so that we may review your transcript, set up your complimentary script consultation, and process your certificate. Certificates will not be processed automatically. You should receive your certificate within two to three weeks.

A: Certificate students have up to one year after completion of coursework to submit a script for consultation.

A: Yes, you may submit any script you’ve written for the complimentary consultation. However, we suggest you use your most recent screenplay or one that you wrote in the classroom, as it will give you a better sense of your progress as a writer through the program.