When considering screenwriting courses, you should look for classes that meet your specific needs and allow you to gain a great deal of practice in writing screenplays. You should, for example, consider if you want to receive a degree or if you already have one and merely wish to expand upon your education. Any courses you choose should also fit into your schedule and you might consider online classes or other ways to receive an education around prior commitments you may have. As you look at different screenwriting courses, you should also consider the people teaching these classes and look for experienced educators with a background in film or television.
Screenwriting courses are classes that you can take to learn more about effectively writing a screenplay, utilizing screenplay format and developing characters within that context. One of the first things you should consider as you look at such classes is the end result of any class you might take. If you want a degree in writing or film, for example, then you should look for a program that culminates in a degree and in which you can take screenwriting courses toward completion of that program. You may, on the other hand, already have a degree or only want a certification in screenwriting, in which case you might look for shorter programs or individual classes that are not part of a full program.
As you look at different screenwriting courses, you should also keep in mind how well you may be able to attend such classes. If you already have responsibilities and obligations, such as family or work commitments, then you should look for classes that you can fit into your existing schedule. While no single program may be ideal, there are often schools or classes that can be worked into the obligations you already have. You might consider online screenwriting courses, for example, or classes that can be attended in the evenings or on weekends.
Any screenwriting courses you attend should also be taught by someone with a strong background in film or television. This does not necessarily mean that any worthwhile class has an instructor with awards for work in film, but the teacher should have professional experience. This ensures that you are learning from someone who understands the reality of the industry, rather than merely a theoretical approach to screenwriting. There are a number of successful writers who also teach screenwriting courses, though you may find more of them in areas invested in the entertainment industry, such as New York, California, and London.