Applicable only to students admitted during the 2012-2013 academic year.

Theater

School of Theater, Film, and Television

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Theater offers the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees in Theater, and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Theater and Performance Studies.

Master's Degrees

Admission

Program Name

Theater

Address

103 East Melnitz
Box 951622
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622 

Phone

(310) 206-8441 

Email

theatergrad@tft.ucla.edu  

Leading to the degree of

M.A., M.F.A.,

M.A.:  Applicants whose objective is the Ph.D. should see Theater and Performance Studies 

Admission Limited to

Fall 

Deadline to apply

M.A.: December 10th
M.F.A.:  December 1st, except for Acting, which is January 15th to be considered for admission and financial support; late applications may be considered for the M.F.A. Note however that interviews and auditions are conducted in January and February. Please consult the Theater website for schedule and location. 

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: Optional 

Letters of Recommendation 

3

Consult department for additional information. 

Other Requirements

In addition to the University's minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose, departmental application, and materials as indicated below:

M.F.A.:

Interviews and auditions for the M.F.A. program are conducted at various locations around the country in January and February. Details are available on the departmental website.

Acting. Complete résumé and audition for the acting committee or its representative

Design for Theater and Entertainment (scenic and production design, costume design, lighting design, and sound design, or production management). Résumé and evidence of ability appropriate to the area of emphasis as demonstrated by sketches, renderings, photographs, sound recording, production books, plots, technical papers, reviews, or other exhibits appropriate to the field of study. An interview and presentation of the portfolio are required.

Directing. Résumé and evidence of production work, which may include copies of prompt books, photographs, reviews and critical commentaries, and an essay outlining a directorial approach to a selected play. If the review committee requests an interview, applicants are notified of city location and dates at which time a full portfolio may be presented.

Playwriting. Résumé and two examples of creative writing which may include dramatic writing or narrative fiction such as full-length plays, one-act plays, and screenplays. At least one stage play must be included. An interview may be required by the department.

Applicants are advised that all records submitted in support of an application, including creative work (original or otherwise), are not returnable nor is the department responsible for such material.

M.A.

Departmental application, statement of purpose indicating area of interest, and a writing sample are required. In addition, candidates should demonstrate awareness and experience in one of the major fields of theater. 

Master of Arts

Advising

In most instances, the chair of the appropriate graduate committee acts as principal adviser to students in the program, although some students may be assigned by the chair to other members of the faculty. Students meet with their adviser for program planning prior to the beginning of each quarter. Students are urged to confer with their adviser as frequently as necessary to discuss academic and curricular issues course substitutions, petitions, and other concerns. Students are also encouraged to confer with the departmental student affairs officer. Assessment of student academic progress in the program is made by the appropriate committee during the final examination week of each quarter.

Areas of Study

The program leads to a general graduate degree in theater, though there are opportunities, through electives and thesis or research paper topics, to stress a particular interest such as design, directing, dramatic writing, performance, or theater history and theory.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 36 units of coursework, 28 units of which must be at the graduate level, with a minimum course load of 12 units each quarter. At least one year of study, leading to the successful completion of either the thesis or comprehensive examination plan, is required. Only eight units of 596 coursework may be applied toward the total course requirement, and only four of these units may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement. No 598 coursework may be applied toward the total course requirement. In accord with University policy, students must maintain a 3.0 gradepoint average in all courses and be registered and enrolled unless on official leave of absence.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

Students who select this plan take a written examination that consists of a series of essay questions in their area of study or present a portfolio of other evidence that demonstrates completion of a significant creative project (an original play, director's notes, or designs that grow out of original research). Students must propose and obtain approval of an area of study that deals with theater research and/or practice and a general plan of investigation from the appropriate graduate committee. An examination committee is formed when students are within one quarter of completion of coursework, at which time they petition to the adviser and committee to advance to candidacy for the master's degree. Students who fail this examination may retake it once.

Thesis Plan

Every master's degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student's ability to perform original, independent research.

Before beginning work on the thesis, students must obtain approval of a subject dealing with the aesthetics, history, techniques, or theoretical analysis of the theater and a general plan of investigation from the appropriate committee. A thesis committee is then formed when students are within one quarter of completing the coursework, at which time they are eligible to advance to candidacy. The student must give the adviser and the committee a prospectus of the thesis and a petition to advance to candidacy for approval. If the thesis fails to pass the committee, the student may present a rewritten version for approval. The number of times a thesis may be presented depends on assessments made by the committee.

Time-to-Degree

Normal progress toward the degree: from graduate admission with no deficiencies to award of the M.A. degree, a minimum time period of three quarters is necessary for completion of the required courses and thesis or comprehensive examination. Maximum residency for the M.A. program is seven quarters.

Master of Fine Arts

Advising

In most instances, the chair of the appropriate graduate committee acts as principal adviser to students in the program, although some students may be assigned by the chair to other members of the faculty. Each program has a specific procedure and calendar for assignment of each student's committee. Students should consult the adviser for this information.

Students meet with their adviser for program planning prior to the beginning of each quarter and again early in each quarter for formal approval of the study list. Students are urged to confer with their adviser as frequently as necessary to discuss program changes, petitions, and other concerns.

Assessment of student academic progress in the program is made by the appropriate committee during the final examination week of each quarter. The adviser then notifies students of problems, when warranted, in writing and assists in planning a solution. Normally, committee recommendations are referred directly to the chair of the department, though in some instances, special problems may be referred to the faculty for recommendation of action to the chair.

Areas of Study

The areas of specialization for the M.F.A. program are as specified above under the Admission section.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Acting. A total of 23.5 courses (94 units) is required for the degree; of these, 20.5 courses (82 units) must be graduate-level (200- and 400-series) courses. Only 12 units of 596 courses may be applied toward the total number of units for the degree and the minimum graduate course requirement.

Design for Theater and Entertainment (costume design, lighting design, scenic and production design, sound design, or production management). A total of 26 courses (104 units) is required for the degree; of these, 23.5 courses (94 units) must be graduate-level (200- and 400-series) courses. A maximum of 10 units of upper division courses and a maximum of 12 units of 596 courses may be applied toward the total number of units for the degree.

Directing. A total of 26.5 courses (106 units) is required for the degree; of these, 23.5 (94 units) must be graduate-level (200- and 400-series) courses. A maximum of 12 units of upper division courses and a maximum of 12 units of 596 courses may be applied toward the total number of units for the degree.

Playwriting. A total of 23.5 courses (94 units) is required for the degree; of these 20.5 (82 units) must be graduate-level (200- and 400-series) courses. A maximum of 12 units of upper division courses and a maximum of 12 units of 596 courses may be applied toward the total number of units for the degree.

Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 12 units per quarter. Required courses are scheduled to permit completion within a three-year period.

Specific course requirements for each program are available in the Student Services Office.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

For the Design for Theater and Entertainment,  Directing, and Playwriting Programs, a professional internship experience associated with a theater, film, television or entertainment company is required.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

The plan is satisfied by fulfilling a series of creative projects appropriate to student specializations. On completion of the final creative project or in the last quarter of residence, whichever is last, students must file for advancement to candidacy. The committee then reviews and evaluates students' records. Student participation in the final review is at the discretion of the committee. If students fail the review and evaluation of their creative work by the examining committee, they may, with the approval of the department chair, be reexamined.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Normal progress toward the degree is for students to be enrolled in their specialized areas for a continuous period until all required courses are completed, typically seven to nine quarters. Maximum residency in these specializations is 12 quarters.

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