Theatre M.F.A. - Music Directing
General Graduate Program Requirements
Graduate School policies and standards can be found on the Graduate School Policies page.
The minimum GPA for any graduate program is 3.0. Individual programs may require more than a 3.0 to remain in good standing.
The minimum grade for a course to be accepted toward any master’s or doctoral requirement is C. The minimum grade for a course to be accepted toward a certificate program is B-. Individual programs may require higher grades for specific courses.
Master of Fine Arts - Theatre: Music Directing Concentration
Based on the student’s transcript and professional experience within the field, courses may be added, substituted, or waived with approval of the program head and Director of the School of Theatre and Dance.
Course Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed below, students must:
- Serve as teaching assistant in undergraduate musical-theatre curriculum.
- Serve as assistant music director/rehearsal accompanist to faculty music director.
- Complete three major music directing projects, the last being part of the Final Creative Project.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Theatre Courses | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| THTR 423 | Professional Performance | 6 |
| or THTR 505 | Professional Theatre | |
| THTR 475 | Directing II | 3 |
| or THTR 476 | Directing III | |
| or THTR 570 | Graduate Stage Management | |
| THTR 501 | Introduction to Graduate Studies | 1 |
| THTR 520 | Graduate Acting I | 3 |
| or THTR 521 | Graduate Acting II | |
| THTR 532 | Graduate Seminar in Dramaturgy | 3 |
| THTR 595 | Practicum | 6 |
| THTR 599 | Thesis/Professional Paper/Final Creative Project | 6 |
| Required Music Courses | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| MUSI 416 | Topics in Music History | 3 |
| or MUSI 417 | Cultural Studies in Music | |
| MUSI 442 | Vocal Studio Pedagogy and Lit | 2 |
| MUSI 500 | Secondary Performance Area (Voice) | 2 |
| MUSI 511 | Advanced Conducting | 2 |
| MUSI 551 | Major Performance Area (Piano) | 4 |
| MUSI 591 | Special Topics (Musical Direction for Theatre) | 1 |
| MUSI 591 | Special Topics (Graduate Jazz) | 1 |
| MUSI 592 | Independent Study (UM Cabaret) | 2 |
| Sound Design & Technology Elective | ||
| Complete 3 credits of a graduate-level courses in MART, MUSI, or THTR | 3 | |
| Advanced Performance Elective | ||
| Complete 3 credits of a graduate-level courses in DANC, MUSI, or THTR | 3 | |
| Electives | ||
| Complete 9 credits of electives chosen in consultation with your advisor. At least one course must be a 500-level course in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. At least one course must be a graduate-level course outside of the School in a discipline relevant to the Final Creative Project. | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |