Music students sitting in the classroom

School of Audio and MusicMusic Composition for the Screen Master's Degree

  • MFA

About the Music Composition for the Screen Program

Elevate your craft as a media composer. Columbia College Chicago's Music Composition for the Screen MFA program is tailored to prepare you for success in a rapidly evolving industry. Recognized as one of the top five programs of its kind by "The Hollywood Reporter," this two-year, 54-credit degree will immerse you in the art and technical aspects of composing for film, television, video games, and more.

Application Deadline: January 7, 2025

Examples of Successful Alumni

  • Ani Immaneni MFA '24, assistant to Emmy-winning composer David Fleming (“Mr. and Mrs. Smith” TV series)
  • Meghan Scott MFA '23, assistant to TV composer James S. Levine (“NCIS Los Angeles”)
  • Shireen Ghosh MFA '23, technical assistant to video game composer Austin Wintory and created custom instruments for the game “LEGO Fortnite” (2023)
  • Markus Siegel MFA '22, studio assistant for John Powell (“How to Train Your Dragon”)

The Student Experience

Your journey at Columbia will be hands-on and collaborative, providing you with the skills and experiences necessary to thrive in the music-for-media landscape.

  • Engage in immersive learning experiencesFrom the start, you'll work on full-length projects, scoring entire films, TV shows, and video games. This approach allows you to understand how music enhances storytelling and prepares you for the real-world demands of the industry.
  • Collaborate with industry professionalsWork closely with our composers-in-residence—seasoned professionals who will guide you through the scoring process (see sidebar). This unique opportunity allows you to rescore original projects, simulating real challenges while honing your problem-solving skills.
  • Benefit from an interdisciplinary environmentThrough collaborations facilitated by our MFA program, you’ll have many opportunities to score student films and student-produced video games and make lasting professional partnerships with emerging visual media creators.
  • Master technical and creative skillsCourses cover a range of genres and mediums, ensuring you are proficient in the latest industry standards for media music production. You'll gain experience in programming digital instruments and conducting live sessions, preparing you for the demands of a professional composer.
  • Experience a transformative Los Angeles finaleThe program culminates in a five-week capstone in Los Angeles, where you will intern with a composer of your choice and lead a recording session with a full orchestra. This hands-on experience is invaluable for building your professional network and body of work.

Listen to work from our LA capstone semester

Columbia MFA Composers · Samples from our large orchestra sessions in our LA capstone semester

Career Readiness

Graduates of the Music Composition for the Screen MFA program emerge well-prepared for careers in music for media, equipped with a portfolio that showcases their unique style and technical proficiency.

  • A built-in professional network

    Columbia’s connections in the industry will help you navigate your career path. Our alumni have landed roles at major studios and networks, including Warner Brothers, Universal, ABC, and PBS, and have worked on such shows as “Bridgerton,” “Cobra Kai,” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.”

  • A body of work that opens doors

    By the time you graduate, you will have developed a body of work and a professional network that will help propel you into the industry with confidence.

Alumni Spotlight

Music Composition for the Screen Alumni Jesi Nelson

Jesi Nelson MFA ’15

Served as composer for DreamWorks’ Apple TV + show “Curses!" and the composer of “Star Wars Vehicle Flythroughs” and “Star Wars Biome.” Nelson is the first female and person of color selected as a composer in the Star Wars universe.

#1

Ranked World's Best Music School by "The Hollywood Reporter."

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