Georgetown’s Certificate in Screenwriting will present the mechanical skills necessary to prepare scripts for television and film, using the standard, industry-accepted format for feature films.
Georgetown University’s Certificate in Screenwriting introduces students to the fundamental skills, theory, and business of screenwriting today, preparing them for careers in mainstream and independent film, television, scripted online entertainment, film exhibition, and literary/artistic representation.
Our program is designed for lay enthusiasts, fiction and nonfiction writers of all genres, and filmmakers seeking to enhance their storytelling skills. Two core classes are required for successful completion.
Ideal for: Aspiring screenwriters and enthusiasts
Ideal for
Aspiring screenwriters and enthusiasts
Duration: 12 weeks
Duration
12 weeks
Tuition: $1,750
Tuition
$1,750
Format: Online
Format
Online
Schedule: Weekly one-hour Zoom session in the evening
Schedule
Weekly one-hour Zoom session in the evening
Semester of Entry: Fall, spring, summer
Semester of Entry
Fall, spring, summer
Upon successful completion of the certificate, you’ll be able to:
Appreciate the basics of visual storytelling and recognize how it differs from stage plays and works of fiction and nonfiction
Write pitches, proposals, treatments, and outlines for scripted films, television programs, and online narrative content
Professionally format screenplays and teleplays using Final Draft, Celtx, WriterDuet, or a similar software program
Understand classic and alternative plot structures, how to write a pilot for an episodic series, and the use of genre in modern screenwriting
Know the basic business of screenwriting and what happens when talent agencies, studios, producers, directors, and actors become involved
Formulate a marketing play to promote your work and launch your career
Testimonials from current students and alumni.
I took the screenwriting class at Georgetown. I'm now chasing the dream in Hollywood and was thinking of how grateful I am to have taken your class!
Sara
Certificate in Screenwriting
Curriculum & Schedule
You must successfully complete two courses for a total of 3.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which is equivalent to 36 contact hours. The program must be completed in sequence. See detailed description of the course modules.
Introduction to Screenwriting
Advanced Screenwriting
What is Self-Directed Learning Plus?
Self-Directed Learning Plus (SDL+) courses are learning experiences designed by Georgetown University instructional designers to maximize flexibility for your weekly learning schedule, while also providing opportunities for real-time engagement and networking with our faculty and other professional learners.
There is a required Zoom class session each week. Professional learners who cannot attend the class session will have the opportunity to satisfy the course requirement by making arrangements with the instructor, watching the recorded video, or responding to discussion questions. In order to maintain flexibility, the dates/time of the weekly Zoom lesson will be confirmed at the start of the course and will depend upon the location of the professional learners in that cohort.
Each course module will have assignment and assessment deadlines to support students in progressing in a timely manner to the successful completion of the certificate
Kevin Downs holds an MFA in film from NYU. He optioned four screenplays for theatrical feature film and worked as a key creative partner with several Academy Award-winning/nominated producers and ... Read more
How to Register
Please review the refund policies in our Student Handbook before completing your registration.
Degree Requirement
You must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in order to enroll in our certificate programs.
Registration
This certificate is an open-enrollment program. No application is required. Click the "Register Now" button, select your courses, and then click "Add to Cart". Course registration is complete when your payment is processed. You will receive a confirmation email when your payment is received. Please retain the payment confirmation message for your records.
You can combine on-campus and online courses (if available) to complete your certificate. Depending on the certificate program, we may suggest taking courses in a specific order, but this is not a requirement.
Most students register for all courses at the same time and complete their certificate within a few months. However, you may choose to register for courses one by one over time. Once you begin a certificate, you have up to two years from the time you start your first course to complete all required courses.
International Students
International students who enter the U.S. on a valid visa are eligible to enroll in certificate courses. However, Georgetown University cannot sponsor student visas for noncredit professional certificate programs.
A TOEFL examination is not required for non-native English speakers but students are expected to read, write, and comprehend English at the graduate level to fully participate in and gain from the program.
Students from most countries may register for our online certificate programs; however, due to international laws, residents of certain countries are prohibited from registering.
Tuition & Funding
Tuition
Total program tuition for all 3.6 CEUs (6 modules) is $1,750. Most course materials are included.
Funding
Noncredit professional certificates do not qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, or needs-based aid. However, several finance and funding options do exist, as listed below.
Some employers offer funding for employee education or professional development. If an employer guarantees payment for employee education and training, Georgetown will accept an Intent to Pay form. If you are using employer sponsorship or training authorizations, you must submit an Intent to Pay form with your registration.
If your employer will pay for your tuition, select “Third-Party Billing” as your method of payment when you register for courses online. Please submit an Intent to Pay form indicating that your employer or another third party should be billed for tuition. Invoices will not be generated without this form on file.
Eligible Georgetown employees may use their Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) benefits to fund 90% of the certificate program tuition—employees will be invoiced for the remaining 10% of tuition and must pay any other charges associated with their certificate program. Employees using TAP benefits may work directly with the HR Benefits Office to ensure payment prior to the start of any course. This payment option is only valid if registration occurs at least 10–14 business days prior to the start date of the first course. Any fees incurred due to course withdrawal are the student’s responsibility and are not funded by Georgetown University TAP. For questions regarding TAP benefits, please contact the HR/Benefits Office at tapbenefits@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-2500.
SCS is registered with GoArmyEd.com to accept SF-182 training authorization forms. GoArmyEd.com is the virtual gateway for all eligible active duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve soldiers to request Tuition Assistance (TA) online. GoArmyEd.com is also the virtual gateway for Army Civilians to apply for their Civilian education, training, and leadership development events.
The professional certificate programs offer an interest-free payment plan for certificate programs that are more than one month in duration and for which the total tuition is greater than or equal to $4,000. The payment plan is structured in the following manner:
Payment #1: A down payment of 25% of the total tuition balance must be paid online (within 72 hours after you register and select Payment Plan) via the Noncredit Student Portal. Please submit your down payment as soon as possible.
Payments #2, #3, and #4: Your remaining balance will be due in three (3) equal monthly installments beginning 30 calendar days after your down payment is processed. Your monthly payments must be paid via credit card in the Noncredit Student Portal. You will be able to access each invoice and payment due date in your student account.
PLEASE NOTE: Automatic Payment Service is not available. You must make each subsequent payment via the Noncredit Student Portal.
A number of tuition benefits are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and under various parts of the GI Bill®. Please visit the Resources for Military Students page for additional information and instructions.
While you may choose to complete your certificate program in one semester, many programs (but not all) allow up to two years to complete all requirements. As a result, you may choose to register for required and elective courses over several semesters to spread out the cost of tuition over time. We generally offer every course in a program each semester, so you'll have many opportunities to enroll in required and elective courses within the two-year time frame.
Tuition Discounts
Only one tuition discount may be applied at the time of registration. Tuition discounts cannot be combined. Tuition discounts are not applied retroactively. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu with any questions.
Georgetown University alumni and SCS certificate completers are eligible to receive a 30% tuition discount for many certificates offered within SCS’s Professional Development & Certificates (PDC) portfolio. When registering for an eligible certificate through the SCS website, you will see the "30% Georgetown Alumni Discount" as an option. The Enrollment Team will then verify your eligibility status as a Georgetown University alumnus or certificate completer.
Georgetown SCS offers a 20% discount for eligible certificates to organizations that register 5 or more employees for the same certificate cohort at the same time. Eligible organizations include government agencies, nonprofit agencies, and for-profit businesses. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu for steps and procedures to ensure your group has access to the discount.
Employees of companies that belong to the EdAssist education network may receive a 10% tuition discount on select programs and courses. Contact EdAssist directly to find out if you qualify.
Eligible federal employees across the country receive a 10% scholarship applied to the current tuition rate for all SCS degree programs and professional certificate programs each academic semester. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu for steps to be added to this discount group.
