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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

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MFA Dramatic Writing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Performance & Productions

Annual Linnell Festival of New Plays. Third-year students receive full productions

MFA Reading Series each fall for public concert readings of completed scripts

Five students have won national playwriting awards from Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

Notable Alumni

Aniello Fontano — award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Clifford Odets Ensemble Commission recipient, Netflix writer

Professional Development

Coursework includes screenwriting, performance topics, and the business of making art

Trips to Humana Festival of New American Plays, New York premieres, and Denver Center New Play Summit

Guest artists include Pig Iron Theatre Company, Erik Ehn, Mac Wellman, and Migdalia Cruz

Degree Flexibility

Three-year, 60-credit-hour MFA with intimate cohort of no more than 9 students (up to 3 admitted per year)

Graduate with portfolio of minimum 6 scripts: 3 full-length stage plays, 1 full-length screenplay, 1 short piece, and dissertation work

Four intensive semester-long writing seminars confronting principles and craft of dramatic writing

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.38

Admit rate

95%

school-wide

Grad rate

55%

Enrollment

17.2K

Earnings

$45K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$11,585

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$34,734

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$31,223

Before aid

Average net price

$15,489

After aid

Index · admissions.unm.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 7, 10:43 PM

Program Highlights

Performance & Productions

Annual Linnell Festival of New Plays. Third-year students receive full productions

MFA Reading Series each fall for public concert readings of completed scripts

Five students have won national playwriting awards from Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

Notable Alumni

Aniello Fontano — award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Clifford Odets Ensemble Commission recipient, Netflix writer

Professional Development

Coursework includes screenwriting, performance topics, and the business of making art

Trips to Humana Festival of New American Plays, New York premieres, and Denver Center New Play Summit

Guest artists include Pig Iron Theatre Company, Erik Ehn, Mac Wellman, and Migdalia Cruz

Degree Flexibility

Three-year, 60-credit-hour MFA with intimate cohort of no more than 9 students (up to 3 admitted per year)

Graduate with portfolio of minimum 6 scripts: 3 full-length stage plays, 1 full-length screenplay, 1 short piece, and dissertation work

Four intensive semester-long writing seminars confronting principles and craft of dramatic writing

Program Highlights

Performance & Productions

Annual Linnell Festival of New Plays. Third-year students receive full productions

MFA Reading Series each fall for public concert readings of completed scripts

Five students have won national playwriting awards from Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

Notable Alumni

Aniello Fontano — award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Clifford Odets Ensemble Commission recipient, Netflix writer

Professional Development

Coursework includes screenwriting, performance topics, and the business of making art

Trips to Humana Festival of New American Plays, New York premieres, and Denver Center New Play Summit

Guest artists include Pig Iron Theatre Company, Erik Ehn, Mac Wellman, and Migdalia Cruz

Degree Flexibility

Three-year, 60-credit-hour MFA with intimate cohort of no more than 9 students (up to 3 admitted per year)

Graduate with portfolio of minimum 6 scripts: 3 full-length stage plays, 1 full-length screenplay, 1 short piece, and dissertation work

Four intensive semester-long writing seminars confronting principles and craft of dramatic writing

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Priority (Fall)Jun 1, 2027

Regular DecisionRolling

Freshmen · admissions.unm.edu

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

MFA Dramatic Writing · finearts.unm.edu

Portfolio Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Application Portfolio

Full-length script (stage play, screenplay, or television play, drama or comedy, or two one-act plays)

Letter of intent clearly expressing your ability to undertake graduate study

Three letters of recommendation

Unofficial transcript from each college attended

MFA Dramatic Writing · finearts.unm.edu

Good to Know

Eligibility

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (specific undergraduate major less important than demonstrated commitment to creative writing)

Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better (exceptions rare)

Professional experience may compensate for uneven academic preparation

Apply through UNM Graduate Studies admissions portal

Enrollment

Fall admission only. No mid-year admissions

Application window: September 1 to February 1

Late applications accepted through April 1 if spaces remain

Notification typically sent by March 1

What's The Process

Audition Process

No audition or prescreen required

Admission based on portfolio review (full-length script + letter of intent)

Faculty may contact applicants to arrange an interview (by telephone for out-of-state candidates)

Applicants encouraged to visit campus and meet with faculty

Scholarship Info

Graduate Funding

Teaching and graduate assistantships available

Selected third-year students teach introductory playwriting seminar for undergraduates

February 1 deadline for financial aid consideration

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.38

Admit rate

95%

school-wide

Grad rate

55%

Enrollment

17.2K

Earnings

$45K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$11,585

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$34,734

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$31,223

Before aid

Average net price

$15,489

After aid

Index · admissions.unm.edu College Scorecard

Performance & Productions

Annual Linnell Festival of New Plays. Third-year students receive full productions

MFA Reading Series each fall for public concert readings of completed scripts

Five students have won national playwriting awards from Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

Notable Alumni

Aniello Fontano — award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Clifford Odets Ensemble Commission recipient, Netflix writer

Professional Development

Coursework includes screenwriting, performance topics, and the business of making art

Trips to Humana Festival of New American Plays, New York premieres, and Denver Center New Play Summit

Guest artists include Pig Iron Theatre Company, Erik Ehn, Mac Wellman, and Migdalia Cruz

Degree Flexibility

Three-year, 60-credit-hour MFA with intimate cohort of no more than 9 students (up to 3 admitted per year)

Graduate with portfolio of minimum 6 scripts: 3 full-length stage plays, 1 full-length screenplay, 1 short piece, and dissertation work

Four intensive semester-long writing seminars confronting principles and craft of dramatic writing

Updated Sep 7, 10:43 PM