»Imagine being the creative force behind your own must-watch series.

Now imagine learning how to get there at one of the nation's top film schools. You’ll master scriptwriting, gain hands-on production experience and create an original pilot using state-of-the-art facilities — the best of any film school in the world. You’ll explore the worlds of comedy, drama and reality TV, using our very own television studio, and uncover the many career paths into television and streaming.

What is a Showrunner?
Think Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Bridgerton). Think Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Story). Showrunners are BOTH writers and producers. They are the creative powerhouses behind the stories we binge. They don’t just write the script and they don’t just produce — they run the show. 

Our two-year MFA Showrunner Program trains you for an industry career.
You’ll learn how to write, produce and be a creative leader — gaining the expertise to take a show from pitching to production. From building story worlds to managing writers’ rooms, from casting to production, you’ll develop the skills to take a series from premise to screen and thrive in today’s entertainment industry. 

Year One: Build the Foundation
Immerse yourself in the art of storytelling and dive into the ever-changing landscape of TV and streaming. Learn directly from A-list creators, Emmy Award winners, and writer/producers with credits such as Friends, Nurse Jackie, Community and Silicon Valley. We’re right on the doorstep of Hollywood, and working professionals are in and out of our classrooms every day.

You’ll meet and hear from top industry executives who are shaping the shows audiences are watching today. You’ll analyze hit series, workshop your own scripts, learn the intricacies of production, and start building the creative and professional skills every showrunner needs. Better still, you’ll do it with a team of passionate students who’ll become your collaborators for life.

Year Two: Create Your Own Show
Step into a simulated writers’ room and bring your original series to life. From pitch to pilot, you’ll write, revise, cast and produce your own show with full access to Dodge College’s state-of-the-art facilities. Along the way, you’ll learn how to lead a team, manage production logistics, and see your vision through from idea to execution.

During your time with us, you’ll also attend our Master Classes, featuring some of the top professionals in television today.

Master Class guests have included Dodge alums the Duffer Brothers (Stranger Things), Hannah Einbinder (Hacks) and Justin Simien (Dear White People), along with Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building), Bill Hader (Barry, SNL), Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face, Orange Is the New Black), Molly Shannon (SNL), Oscar winner Mikey Madison (Anora) and even Billie Eilish — OK, she’s not in TV, but she did speak at Dodge! 

With support from our Career Center, you’ll be guided toward internships at many of the leading studios, production companies, streaming platforms and talent agencies.

Graduation: Launch Your Career
You’ll graduate with a professional portfolio that includes spec scripts for current series, original pilot scripts and a produced short pilot series — proof of your voice, talent and industry readiness. Finally, our Career Center will help you find job opportunities through a network of Dodge alums and peers spanning Hollywood and the ever-expanding world of streaming.