Master of Fine Arts in Shakespeare and Performance
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree is the terminal degree in theatre. Requests to proceed to the MFA program should be made during the fall semester of the year of expected MLitt graduation. An interview with MFA faculty is required. Acceptances granted to students in the final year of their MLitt studies are conditional on the successful completion of that degree. Upon completion of their MLitt requirements, students are admitted to the 30 s.h. MFA degree. The twelve-month (early May to late April) degree is an immersive, collaborative experience during which students rotate through the program’s four core competencies (teaching, acting, directing, dramaturgy) while producing and performing a repertory of plays. Course work will be modular, allowing for flexibility of scheduling and instruction. The experience culminates in a festival presentation of all of the repertory of shows. In addition to fulfilling all evaluated components of the program, students will produce an assessed piece of writing, a collaborative thesis, with their fellow MFA students.
The MFA Thesis Project Consists of:
A chapter for the MFA Thesis book
An oral presentation in support of the thesis
An oral defense before an examining panel of at least one faculty member
Note: MFA students are required to be on campus to defend the thesis in person unless the S&P Director waives the requirement upon request of the student or recommendation of the thesis supervisor.
Requirements for the Master of Fine Arts Degree (MFA)
Minimum GPA of 3.3;
A minimum of 70 semester hours, including those earned for the MLitt degree and these 30 s.h.;