All graduate applicants are required to complete the online application and submit the nonrefundable $80 application fee.

You must enter valid credit card information in order to submit the online application.

Applicants must submit a Statement of Purpose on why you would like to pursue a career in filmmaking and why you chose the MPS Film Directing program. The statement should not exceed 500 words.

Online submission is available through the online application. After you submit your application, you will have access to a checklist to upload materials like the Statement of Purpose.

All submitted work must include citations and clearly indicate if any AI generative software was used.

If you are experiencing difficulty uploading your materials via the online application, please email them to Graduate Admissions and include your full name and date of birth in the email.

Applicants must submit a Résumé, which should include professional experience as well as related activities such as research, awards, and exhibitions.

Online submission is available through the online application. After you submit your application, you will have access to a checklist to upload materials like the Résumé.

If you are experiencing difficulty uploading your materials via the online application, please email them to Graduate Admissions and include your full name and date of birth in the email.

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation from instructors or practicing professionals.

Online submission is available through the online application. Applicants will be required to provide the email address and contact information for their references. A "Send Email" button for each recommendation is provided to send the online form to the email address you provided for your recommender.

If your recommender is experiencing difficulty (uploading the letter via the recommendation portal, receiving emails, etc.), please instruct them to email the letter to Graduate Admissions and include your full name and graduate program in the email.

Note: The School of Visual Arts does not provide letter of recommendation forms.

Applicants must submit official transcripts from each college or university they’ve attended. In order to be considered official, transcripts must come directly from the institution(s).

Please Note: Unofficial transcripts, screenshots, or PDFs emailed by applicants do not fulfill this requirement. There are no exceptions to this policy. Please follow the guidelines below.

Electronic Transcripts

• SVA accepts secure electronic transcripts from Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, and Credentials Solutions.
• Applicants from institutions in India should request and submit official transcripts directly through TrueCopy Credentials. Requests are processed by TrueCopy Credentials and will be sent electronically to SVA Graduate Admissions.
• Check with the registrar’s office at your institution to see if your school issues its own digital transcripts or if it’s a member of any of the organizations mentioned above. (Important Note: Please be sure that all electronic transcript submissions are directed to “Graduate Admissions” at gradadmissions@sva.edu.)

Mailing Transcripts

• Transcripts may also be submitted in an unopened envelope that is stamped and sealed by the college registrar of the issuing institution.

Please address to:

School of Visual Arts

Graduate Admissions

209 East 23rd Street

New York, NY 10010                                           

Special Notes

• Pending acceptance, all graduate applicants currently enrolled in school for their bachelor's degrees for the Spring or Summer 2026 semesters are required to submit verification of graduation before they attend SVA.
• All transcripts from foreign institutions must be officially translated into English and U.S. grading equivalencies. For more information, see the below accordion.

Applicants who have academic documents from institutions outside of the U.S. are required to provide original, attested, or certified true copies of academic records for all institutions attended. These records should be in the original language issued.

Please Note: SVA does not review PDFs or screenshots sent directly via email from applicants.

Records Not in English

For records not in English, applicants must also submit an official translation of all academic documents. Translations must be a complete, literal, word-for-word translation in the same format as the original academic document.

All foreign post-secondary (university-level) transcripts should be converted into U.S. educational equivalencies. Records that are not converted into U.S. equivalencies must be evaluated by an external evaluation agency. The evaluation should be course-by-course.

The School of Visual Arts should be listed as the recipient of the evaluation. The original academic records must be submitted in addition to the evaluation.

The School of Visual Arts requires that international academic records be evaluated by one of the following approved external evaluation agencies:

• The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran)
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• World Education Services (WES)

Please note: Pending acceptance, all graduate applicants currently enrolled in school for their bachelor’s degrees for the Spring or Summer 2026 semesters are required to submit verification of graduation before they attend SVA.

In addition to the general application requirements, international applicants whose primary/native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. The following are acceptable ways to demonstrate English proficiency:

A minimum score* of 79 (internet-based or paper-delivered) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

• The CEEB code for the School of Visual Arts is 2835. This is the code that must be supplied to ETS in order to have TOEFL scores mailed to SVA.
• Please note this means a composite score for a single test date. SVA does not accept MyBEST TOEFL scores.

A minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

• IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP Education Australia: IELTS Australia.

A minimum score of 115 on the Duolingo English Test.

• Scores can be sent to SVA directly via the student portal.

A minimum score of 6 in all categories of the English proficiency examination administered by the New York University American Language Institute in New York.

• For information on taking the NYU test, call 212.998.7040.

A minimum score of 53 on the Pearson PTE Academic.

Requirement Waivers

• This requirement may be waived for native English speakers who are citizens of any of the following countries and attend schools where English is the primary language of instruction: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, India, South Africa and Common Wealth Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago).
• SVA will consider waiving the English proficiency exam requirement for students who have earned a degree at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Students seeking this waiver must submit a written request with their application materials.

The writing sample may consist of a short story, treatment or screenplay. Work should follow a narrative structure and express the concepts of a central theme. The writing sample should not exceed 3 pages.

All submitted work must include citations and clearly indicate if any AI generative software was used.

Online submission is available through the online application. After you submit your application, you will have access to a checklist to upload materials like the Writing Sample.

If you are experiencing difficulty uploading your materials via the online application, please email them to Graduate Admissions and include your full name and date of birth in the email.

The submission to the Graduate Admissions SlideRoom Portal includes 5 parts for a maximum of 20 files.

Important Note: To access the Graduate Admissions SlideRoom Portal, please click here.

• Still images are limited to 5MB each, and video is limited to 60MB each.
• SlideRoom will allow you to note title, date, medium, dimensions, or running time and optional notes for each file.
• Acceptable file formats are listed within the software.
• All digital portfolio images and assignment files must be between 1500 and 2500 pixels in width or height at 72 dpi.

PARTS 1, 2, 3:

Upload a copy of your Statement of Purpose, Résumé, and Writing Sample from your online application. Submit each item as an individual PDF.

• Statement of Purpose: In no more than 500 words, define why you would like to pursue a career in filmmaking and why you chose the MPS Film Directing program.
• Résumé: Include professional experience as well as related activities such as research, awards and exhibitions.
• Writing Sample: This may consist of a short story, treatment or screenplay. Work should follow a narrative structure and express the concepts of a central theme. Writing sample should not exceed 3 pages.

PART 4: Portfolio

The portfolio will consist of video, stills or mixed media. Each submission should be accompanied by a description that includes your role in the production of the submission and an explanation of the work. Foreign language videos should be subtitled.

PART 5: One-Minute Video Self-Portrait

Introduce yourself to us in an unusual and creative way. Tell us something about yourself that demonstrates your visual style and utilizes a narrative structure.

* Important Note: If video files surpass the SlideRoom file size limit, please use the provided Vimeo Form in SlideRoom to provide the link info.

All submitted work must include citations and clearly indicate if any AI generative software was used.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the department directly at directing@sva.edu for further guidelines on preparing their SlideRoom submission.

Anyone who is in love with the art and craft of superb storytelling.

MPS Film Directing is unique in that it allows you to direct a professionally-produced short film and gain your master's in less than one year. As such, it's perfect if you're creative, ambitious and ready to launch your career in directing.

This immersive program prepares you to take your story from script to screen — all in the heart of New York's thriving film scene. You'll take classes in screenwriting, producing, and directing. You'll study under our award-winning faculty. And you'll learn how to successfully partner with actors and creative professionals to bring your vision to life.

The department gives several scholarships each year to support tuition and Thesis projects. The scholarships are merit-based and all accepted students are eligible to apply.

For more information, please contact directing@sva.edu