Provided through the Music, Theatre, and Dance  graduate program, the Masters of Art degree in Theatre offers students a broad base of theatre courses and the ability to emphasize in a specific area, such as acting, directing, playwriting, design, management or technical theatre. The degree prepares students for teaching at the high school or community college level, for professional theatre work and for advanced study in theatre.

30 semester credits are required. All students must take: three 800-level 3 credit hour courses in dramatic literature; 3 credit hours in a 600- or above level course in acting, directing or playwriting; 3 credit hours in a 600- or above level course in design technical theatre or theatre management. The 15 remaining credits constitute electives which are usually in the student’s area of concentration. At least 15 credits must be at the 800-level.

Each student must complete a creative project. Creative projects involve an extended original project with written reflection. A review of the candidate’s work is conducted through an oral examination administered near the end of the degree program.

Students may apply for graduate teaching assistantship positions in public speaking, introduction to theatre, technical theatre or acting. These GTA positions cover the cost of tuition and pay an additional stipend.