Master's Degrees in Theatre

Master's degrees in theatre offered are the MA Plan A (thesis) and Plan B (non-thesis) and the MFA Plan B (creative/performance).

For the MA Plan A, the candidate does research in theater history, theory, or dramatic literature; the thesis may be in Asian, Western, or youth theater.

For the MA Plan B, a generalist degree, the candidate takes additional advanced course work in lieu of writing a thesis. The MFA Plan B emphasizes creative or performance work in six concentrations: acting, directing, design, and playwriting (each of these four may include Western, Asian, and youth theater work), Asian performance, and youth theater.

Applicants must present an adequate undergraduate background and submit three letters of recommendation, as well as official scores from the GRE General Test. The department expects that all incoming graduate students will have taken at least two courses in dramatic literature and one course in each of the following four areas: acting, directing, design or technical theater, and theater history. If such courses have not been taken, they will be made up as undergraduate deficiencies while in residence for the master's program and will not count toward the credit accumulation for the master's degree.

The TOEFL minimum score for foreign students is 600. Applicants for the MA Plan A degree are also expected to submit a major paper; those seeking the MFA degree should present appropriate supplementary Materials such as slides, photographs, video, or play scripts.

Application deadline for the fall semester is February 1 (January 15 for foreign applicants). Spring semester application deadline is September 1 (August 1 for foreign applicants).

Upon the successful completion of 12 graduate credit hours within the department, the elimination of any undergraduate deficiencies, and (for MFA students) the presentation of an acceptable qualifying creative project, the student may be admitted to candidacy.

Students pursuing an MA in theatre develop, with an adviser, a program appropriate for their interests (minimum of 39 credit hours). The program must include 3 credit hours in each of the following areas: research methods (THEA 600); Asian theater theory/history; Western theater theory/history; youth theater, creative drama, creative movement, or Western puppetry; Asian or Western acting or directing; design/technical theater; and graduate theater workshop (THEA 690), in which students receive 1 or 2 credit hours (depending upon extent of involvement) for working on a single Kennedy Theatre production.

A minimum of 18 credit hours must be in courses numbered 600 to 798 (excluding 700); a minimum of 6 credit hours must be in Asian theater (excluding 690); credit for 699 may not exceed 9 credit hours. In addition, MA Plan A students must complete 6 credit hours of THEA 700 Thesis Research.

For both MA degrees, students will take a three-hour written comprehensive examination followed by an oral examination. MA Plan A students will have an additional oral comprehensive on the written thesis.

MFA students in all concentrations will take a minimum of 60 credit hours comprised of 12 credit hours of foundation courses (3 credits in research and 9 in history and/or theory); 39 credit hours of concentration courses, including enrollment in THEA 690 Graduate Theater Workshop, in which students receive 1 or 2 credit hours (depending upon extent of involvement) for working on a single Kennedy Theatre production, and a culminating project for which the student will enroll in 6 credit hours of THEA 695 Creative Project; and 9 credit hours of electives. Of the total 60 credit hours, 30 must be at the 600 level or above. There is no written comprehensive examination for the MFA degree.

However, the culminating project will include a written component that goes beyond the descriptive record of the project; the thesis committee, in conjunction with the candidate, will decide the nature, extent, and scope of the written component in each case. Additionally, each student will be given an oral examination on the culminating project.

To receive a list of specific recommended courses for meeting MA and MFA requirements, contact the departmental director of graduate studies. Students will select their elective courses (MA Plan A, 12 credits; MA Plan B, 18 credits; or MFA Plan B, 9 credits) in consultation with their advisers to reflect their special interests. Students with sufficient undergraduate preparation may take approved related graduate courses in other departments for credit toward their degree.

See our MFA Theatre Concentration Areas
Go to Theatre Course Descriptions