Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance offers graduate programs leading to the Masters of Arts degree in Theatre Arts. The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance is also excited about the new joint Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Television, Film and Theatre with the Department of Communication Studies. In the new MFA students can claim options in Performance/Acting, Production, and Dramatic Writing.
Graduate MA Degree Program
The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance offers a Master of Arts degree in Theatre Arts.
The graduate curriculum includes required seminars in theory, criticism, and history. Electives allow students to adapt their programs to specific educational goals. Some are preparing for doctoral programs in theatre or performance studies. Others are preparing to teach. Although the MA program does not focus on performance training, practice is a component of many academic classes and students may elect a limited number of activity classes for their programs. Students complete the program with a thesis, project, or comprehensive exam.
Our students range from working theatre professionals and educators to recent undergraduates just beginning their careers. We accept candidates with or without an academic background in theatre. We have a strong record of placing our graduates in Ph.D. programs as well as in teaching positions.
MA in Theatre Arts Program Form
See the University Catalog for requirements and course descriptions.
Application for MA in Theatre Arts is required in addition to the Universities online application here.
For more information contact:
Director of Graduate Studies
Theatre Arts and Dance Department
5151 State University Drive
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 90032-8103
323 343-4113
MA program in Theatre Arts: frequently asked questions
- How big is your program? How big are the classes?
There are about 20-25 graduate students in some phase of the program but an entering class is generally 8-10. Consequently the graduate seminars are small (6-12 students). Enrollment in the upper division undergraduate electives (which account for about half your MA coursework) varies depending on the class but they are generally 2 to 3 times as large as graduate seminars.
- How long does it take to finish the program?
It depends on whether you take classes full-time or part-time. Graduating students in the past have ranged from one who took one class each quarter and took about 5 years to finish to several who finish all their courses in one year and the thesis/project the following year. Most students take about 1.3 to 2 years to finish taking 2-4 classes a quarter while also working. Some electives options offered by other departments are scheduled in the summer but not many. The ideal program is one year (three academic quarters beginning in fall) of coursework, work on thesis in the summer and complete the thesis in the fall.
- Can I enter the program winter, spring, or summer quarter?
Yes. However, TA 500, the introduction to graduate studies, is only offered in the fall and must be taken before the other 4 required graduate seminars. So entering in the fall is the most efficient way to move through the program. However, besides the seminars, students take about 6-7 elective courses at the upper division undergraduate level and can begin these any quarter.
- Will I be able to work and take classes?
Almost all the students at CSULA work and go to school. The seminars meet once a week in the late afternoon (Monday or Wednesday 4:20-8:10) in order to facilitate work and teaching schedules.
- Are there TA positions available?
Yes. Sometimes. Students are encouraged to take TA 510 which involves working with either the head of the acting program or the theatre history professor to “train” to teach acting (TA 141) or introduction to theatre (TA 152). One or both of these 100 level classes are sometimes available for graduate students to apply to teach. Appointments are competitive among the graduate students.
- Why do you require a writing sample in the application?
Graduate seminars have a heavy writing component and we expect a certain level of writing competency for these seminars. You need to have mastered certain academic writing skills to be able to be successful in your graduate classes. Submit any undergraduate research paper on any subject as your writing sample. Five to ten pages are ideal.
- How many performance opportunities are there in the program?
The program is primarily academic but we have performance opportunities in the department and many of the seminars and academic classes have some performance component. There are 5 required seminars and about 7 elective classes at least 2 to 4 of which can be performance related (e.g. directing, playwriting, designing). People who come to LA really just wanting to be actors have found the program frustrating because of the seminars with reading and writing. They should be in MFA programs so we rarely admit them. However we often have people in the program who have acting careers and want to return to school to learn about theory, history and criticism in order to be able to teach. The culminating activity is a thesis or thesis project. About 90% do the project: acting, directing, playwriting, etc and write a project report.
- My undergraduate degree is not in theatre. Will this keep me out of your program?
About 50% of the students who enter our MA program do not have a BA in theatre. You will need to take some prerequisite classes, usually theatre history if you haven’t had it, but often the prerequisite courses are co-requisites that can be taken along with the courses in the MA program.
- My g.p.a. is under 3.0. Can I still apply?
This depends on how far below a 3.0 your g.p.a. is and why? Some students are returning to school after as much as a decade and have grown up and regret the folly of their youth. Some come from extremely rigorous undergraduate majors. Students who fall short of the required 3.0 g.p.a. but meet other application requirements can be admitted as Conditional Graduate Students and are required to raise the g.p.a. through coursework selected by a graduate advisor. Upon successful completion of this coursework, they may be admitted as regular graduate students.
- What can I do with an MA degree?
Students come into our program for various reasons. A few want to go on into PhD programs. The program will prepare them to be competitive in applying for doctoral programs; In fact we have an excellent track record in placing our graduates in the PhD programs of their choice. Some of our students are working actors who want to return to school and get an advanced degree to be able to teach in community colleges. Some of our students are high school teachers who find themselves running drama programs their undergraduate degrees did not prepare them for. Furthermore, high school teachers can raise their salaries by getting an MA degree.
- I’m over 30. Will I feel uncomfortable in your program?
The student population at CSULA and in our MA program is diverse. We have students from all over the world and students’ ages range from about 20 to 60
- What is the culminating experience of the Master's Program in Theatre?
After completing the major course work students complete one of three potential culminating experiences: Comprehensive Examinations, Thesis or a Project.
Admission to the Program
Application must be made to both the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance and the University. Forms for both may be obtained from the department office.
Applicants must submit completed departmental applications with one copy of transcripts from all colleges attended, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose for undertaking graduate studies, an artistic resume and/or portfolio (if appropriate). All applicants must submit a writing sample illustrating command of research and writing skills. Applications and supporting documentation must be received by the department of Theatre Arts and Dance before June 15 for admission Fall Quarter, October 1 for Winter Quarter, February 1 for Spring Quarter, and April 1 for Summer Quarter.
University applications and two copies of official transcripts from all colleges attended must be sent to the Admissions Office in accordance with University admission deadlines. GRE examinations are recommended for those students considering the MA as preparation for a Ph.D. International students must submit TOEFL scores. Campus interview and visits with faculty are encouraged for all applicants seeking admission.
In addition to University requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants must have a baccalaureate in theatre arts, dance, or performance studies from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 average in the major, or have completed a baccalaureate in a related field with at least 24 quarter units of approved upper division courses in one or more of these areas with a minimum 3.0 average. Of the 24 quarter units, at least 9 quarter units must be in theatre history, literature, and/or dance history courses and 6 quarter units of upper division work in technical theatre. Deficiencies will be determined by the Director of Graduate Studies, and undergraduate coursework may be required.
For a complete description of the Graduate program click here. On the left side of the page, under CSULA PROGRAMS, click Graduate. Scroll down and click on Theatre Arts.
To view the Arts & Letters Graduate Handbook click here.
To view the University’s Graduate Studies & Research Site click here.
Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Television, Film and Theatre
The College of Arts and Letters at California State University, Los Angeles is pleased to invite applications to a new, interdepartmental, Master of Fine Arts program in Television, Film and Theatre (TVFT), beginning Fall 08. The M.F.A. in TVFT is an 88-unit/three-year interdisciplinary degree program offered jointly by the Departments of Communication Studies and Theatre Arts & Dance. Through this M.F.A. program, students will evolve artistically and acquire professional discipline in performance/acting, production, and dramatic writing in television, film and theatre. With the unique resources of Los Angeles providing an ideal environment for study, the M.F.A. in Television, Film and Theatre at California State University, Los Angeles will offer three formal Options: Performance/Acting, Production, Dramatic Writing
The MFA is a terminal degree that prepares students for diverse professional and academic programs. In particular, the CSULA MFA in Television, Film and Theatre will prepare students for careers in performance/acting, production, and dramatic writing in the television, film and theatre industries. The MFA, along with extensive professional experience, also serves to prepare students to teach in these fields.
The application is available for download in .pdf format: TVFT MFA Application - .pdf
NOTE: Application to the University requires a separate online application here.