Theatre M.F.A
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 requirement is C. Individual programs may require higher grades for specific courses.
MASTER OF FINE ARTS - THEATRE
Specializations
There are four areas of specialization for the M.F.A. in Theatre, each with its own requirements. 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.
- Acting - 64 credits
- Design & Technology - 60 credits
- Directing - 64 credits
- Music Directing - 64 credits
Acting Course Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed, students must:
- Serve as teaching assistant for faculty instructor of at least one undergraduate performance course.
- Complete a minimum of three major acting projects, with one being part of the Final Creative Project.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| THTR 475 | Directing II | 3 |
| THTR 476 | Directing III | 3 |
| THTR 501 | Intro to Grad Studies | 1 |
| THTR 513 | Graduate Voice & Speech I | 3 |
| THTR 515 | Graduate Physical Performance Skills | 3 |
| THTR 520 | Graduate Acting I | 3 |
| THTR 521 | Grad Acting II | 3 |
| THTR 526 | Studio Training I | 3 |
| THTR 527 | Studio Training II | 3 |
| THTR 528 | Studio Training III | 3 |
| THTR 535 | Performance Theory & Criticism | 3 |
| THTR 539 | Graduate Methods Teaching Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 591 | Special Topics (Professional Skills) | 1 |
| THTR 595 | Practicum (Performance) | 4 |
| THTR 599 | Thesis/Professional Paper/Final Creative Project | 1-6 |
| Electives | ||
| Complete 24 credits of electives chosen in consultation with your advisor. At least one course must be a 500-level course in the School of 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. | 24 | |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
Design and Technology Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| THTR 501 | Intro to Grad Studies | 1 |
| THTR 531 | Graduate Seminar in Theatre History | 3 |
| THTR 556 | Graduate Rendering Techniques | 2 |
| THTR 545 | Graduate Design Seminar: Collaboration | 2 |
| THTR 546 | Graduate Design Seminar: Freelancing | 2 |
| THTR 609 | Grad Design Project | 4 |
| THTR 645 | Graduate Design Seminar: Teaching | 2 |
| THTR 646 | Graduate Design Seminar: Outreach | 2 |
| Primary Design Emphasis | ||
| Complete 9 credits of the following courses: | 9 | |
| Graduate Costume Design | ||
| Graduate Scene Design | ||
| Graduate Light Design | ||
| Graduate Sound Design | ||
| Complete 3 credits of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Problems in Costume Design | ||
| Problems in Scene Design | ||
| Problems in Light Design | ||
| Problems in Sound Design | ||
| Secondary Design Emphasis | ||
| Complete 3 credits of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Graduate Costume Design | ||
| Graduate Scene Design | ||
| Graduate Light Design | ||
| Graduate Sound Design | ||
| Complete 3 credits of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Problems in Costume Design | ||
| Problems in Scene Design | ||
| Problems in Light Design | ||
| Problems in Sound Design | ||
| Production Assignments | ||
| Complete 9 credits of the following courses: | 9 | |
| Technical Production Assignment | ||
| Design Production Assignment | ||
| Electives | ||
| Complete 15 credits of graduate-level courses chosen in consultation with your advisor. | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Directing Course Requirements
In addition to the requirements below, students must:
- Serve as teaching assistant for THTR 375.
- Serve as stage manager for faculty director.
- Serve as assistant director to faculty director.
- Complete three major directing projects, the last being part of the Final Creative Project.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| THTR 475 | Directing II | 3 |
| THTR 476 | Directing III | 3 |
| THTR 501 | Intro to Grad Studies | 1 |
| THTR 513 | Graduate Voice & Speech I | 3 |
| THTR 515 | Graduate Physical Performance Skills | 3 |
| THTR 520 | Graduate Acting I | 3 |
| THTR 521 | Grad Acting II | 3 |
| THTR 532 | Graduate Seminar in Dramaturgy | 3 |
| THTR 539 | Graduate Methods Teaching Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 545 | Graduate Design Seminar: Collaboration | 2 |
| THTR 570 | Graduate Stage Management | 2 |
| THTR 572 | Stage Management Practicum | 1-6 |
| THTR 577 | Directing IV | 3 |
| THTR 578 | Directing V | 3 |
| THTR 591 | Special Topics (Professional Skills) | 1 |
| THTR 595 | Practicum (Directing) | 4 |
| THTR 675 | Directing VI | 3 |
| THTR 677 | Problems in Directing | 1-3 |
| THTR 599 | Thesis/Professional Paper/Final Creative Project | 1-6 |
| Electives | ||
| Complete 18 credits of electives chosen in consultation with your advisor. At least one course must be a 500-level course in the School of 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. | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
Music Directing 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 475 | Directing II | 3 |
| THTR 476 | Directing III | 3 |
| THTR 501 | Intro to Grad Studies | 1 |
| THTR 520 | Graduate Acting I | 3 |
| THTR 521 | Grad Acting II | 3 |
| THTR 532 | Graduate Seminar in Dramaturgy | 3 |
| THTR 599 | Thesis/Professional Paper/Final Creative Project | 6 |
| Required Music Courses | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| MUSI 416 | Topics in Music History (History of Musical Theatre) | 3 |
| 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) | 1 |
| MUSI 599 | Thesis/Professional Project (Music Direction) | 6 |
| Sound Design & Technology Elective | ||
| Complete 3 credits of graduate-level courses in MART, MUSI, or THTR | 3 | |
| Advanced Performance Elective | ||
| Complete 3 credits of graduate-level courses in DANC, MUSI, or THTR | 3 | |
| Electives | ||
| Complete 14 credits of electives chosen in consultation with your advisor. At least one course must be a 500-level course in the School of 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. | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 64 | |