How to Get a PhD or MFA in Theater Arts

If you love the theater and hope to make it the site or subject of your future career, getting a terminal degree--the highest degree available--in theater arts may be an ideal way to turn a passion into a profession. Within this creative field, you have two terminal degree options: the PhD and the MFA. These help you develop, respectively, scholarly expertise and practical expertise in theater arts. With either degree, your training will open doors toward academia, teaching, performance, and the technical execution of theater arts.

PhD and MFA Programs in Theater Arts

While theatrical performance has been popular for most of history, formal degree programs are a more recent development. Some have existed for decades, while others are fairly new, established in the present century--suggesting that the field of theater arts is thriving and also growing. That makes it a great field to consider entering right now. In future years, watch for the expansion of graduate theater arts programs into the online realm. While theater arts MFA programs may be too performance-oriented to work online, the academic nature of a PhD pursuit has already led to the offering of online PhD programs or hybrid (partly online, partly in-person) PhD programs in many fields. Graduate schools in theater arts may begin offering distance doctorate degrees as well.

PhD in Theater Arts

As a doctoral student working toward a PhD in Theater Arts, you gain expert knowledge of the history and practice of theater. Students undertake coursework with both theoretical and practical applications, and learn the theory and methods needed to conduct academic research. At the culmination of your PhD in Theater Arts, you write a dissertation on a subject of interest to you. In many theater arts doctoral degree programs, you also teach undergraduate courses, which offers you a chance to hone your teaching skills.

MFA in Theater Arts

Successful applicants to a theater arts MFA program must exhibit identifiable talent in a theater arts field. As an MFA student, you take courses and undertake theatrical projects to refine your skill at a particular aspect of the professional practice of theater arts. Some MFA programs include faculty reviews of a student's artistic achievement--often at the end of the first year and at the end of the program--or student production of a qualifying project.

If you plan to pursue an MFA in Theater Arts, note that it is possible--though not widely offered--to continue on to earn a Doctor of Fine Arts degree in theater arts. This degree supplements the MFA in Theater Arts with a qualifying exam and dissertation like that produced in PhD theater arts programs.

Specializations within the PhD and MFA in Theater Arts

Programs offering a PhD in Theater Arts are typically multidisciplinary. They offer students courses and specializations in a variety of sub-fields, such as theater history, drama theory and criticism, scriptwriting, design, performance practices, and technical production.

As opposed to the academic orientation of theater arts PhD programs, MFA programs typically offer professional practice specializations such as acting, directing, musical theater, scriptwriting, various types of design (including stage, lightning, costume, and sound), theatre management, and technical production.

Theater Arts Careers

Typically lasting three to five years, PhDs programs in theater arts prepare you to become a scholar, educator, or researcher in the theater arts. With a course of study lasting two or three years, MFA programs in theater arts prepare you for the professional practice and instruction of a dramatic specialty. It is useful to note that if you aspire to teach aspects of drama at the high school or college level, either an MFA or a PhD can qualify you to do so.

How to Apply to PhD and MFA Programs in Theater Arts

Deciding to apply to PhD or MFA programs in theater arts is exciting, but it can be daunting. In the United States alone, well over 100 postsecondary institutions offer theater arts degree programs. At the graduate level, some schools offer PhD programs, some offer MFA programs, and some offer both. Each program is unique, offering particular specializations, course options, and faculties. Determining which programs to apply to takes organization and thorough research. Keep reading for helpful tips on how to find the best theater arts options for you.

How to Research Theater Arts Programs

As you search for theater arts PhD and MFA programs that suit you, these suggested resources can help:

• National Association of Schools of Theater. The NAST website includes a list and a searchable database of its members, which are all accredited institutions offering theater programs. It also provides access to a downloadable directory that includes program descriptions and contact information.
• U.S. Department of Education. The DOE website includes an online database of accredited institutions and degree programs. As you identify potential graduate theater arts programs, it may be useful to cross-reference them against an accreditation list to ensure that you are pursuing respected programs.
• School websites. As you identify PhD and MFA programs in theater arts that interest you, visit each school's website to collect detailed information on its offerings. You can typically access descriptions of degree programs and courses as well as professional biographies of faculty members.
• Admissions counselors. Admissions counselors at each institution can help you determine whether a graduate theater arts program meets your needs and whether you meet its eligibility requirements.
• Online directory research and information requests. Online directories such as WorldWideLearn.com provide a wide array of information about graduate institutions and degree programs. In addition, to make the process of researching your options more efficient, WorldWideLearn.com allows you to submit an information request. After indicating your criteria for graduate study, the system will identify schools that meet your needs and alert their representatives to contact you.

How to Choose a Set of Theater Arts Programs

After determining whether a PhD or an MFA in best suits your career goals, you need to identify a group of PhD or MFA programs to which you will apply. Seek out programs with the following must-have features.

• Accreditation. The first criterion of any academic institution you consider should be that it is accredited. Accreditation signals basic levels of quality and indicates that other education establishments will honor your degree.
• Signs of success. Graduate programs are not permanent entities; they do come and go. In addition, some theater arts programs are fairly new and may not yet have developed strong reputations for success. Because MFAs and PhDs in theater arts take multiple years to complete, you want assurance before enrolling that a program will last. Gather information you can use to carefully assess whether each program seems set up for success. Key factors include a high graduation rate, appropriate job placements for graduates, and favorable assessments from outside experts in the field.
• Faculty who share your academic interests. If you decide to pursue a PhD in particular, working directly with one faculty member will be a major component of your graduate work. To determine the best set of schools for you, research each program's professors. Those with whom you share interests within the field of theater arts are the ones who will be in the best position to support you in undertaking studies and research aligned with your career goals.
• Your personal must-haves. Undoubtedly there are other must-haves that are unique to you. You may prefer certain geographic locations. You may intend to target the most selective programs, since stronger PhD student peers can elevate the quality of research and learning taking place around you--more artistically skilled MFA student peers can stimulate your creativity as well as the success of dramatic productions. The flipside of aiming for the top-rated programs is facing strong competition for admission. However, the distinction of your alma mater may be a must-have for your future career. If your goal is to become a researcher or instructor at a prestigious institution, future employers might be encouraged that you studied at a similar institution. For other careers, the alma mater may matter less than your proven ability or the quality and focus of your research. Weigh factors like these against your career aspirations to deduce which features of potential programs mean the most to you.

Applying to MFA and PhD in Theater Arts Programs

The last step before applying to your favorite PhD or MFA in Theatre Arts programs is to ensure that you meet the application requirements of each program. You can acquire the admission requirements for each program from its website, at an information session, or by requesting that application materials be sent to you. Requirements for theater arts PhD and MFA programs typically include the following:

• Academic prerequisites. Most theater arts PhD and MFA programs require that you hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and that, as an undergraduate, you undertook a minimum amount of theater arts coursework. They often have minimum GPA requirements, and PhD programs expect that you have proven research ability. Some PhD programs require that you already hold an MA in Theater Arts, while others allow you to acquire one as a first step toward the PhD. Some PhD programs also require competence in a foreign language.
• Work sample, audition, or interview. Many PhD programs require submission of a sample of your academic, research-based writing. MFA programs typically require submission or in-person review of a portfolio of your creative work, followed by an interview, or, for prospective acting students, an in-person audition.
• Qualifying exams. Applicants for PhD and MFA programs in theater arts may be asked to submit GRE scores, though for some programs these are optional. International applicants typically also have to take and submit scores from an English proficiency test such as the TOEFL.
• Letters of recommendation. Applications often require written recommendations from past professors or professional supervisors. Your recommenders should be people who know you well enough to make positive predictions about your ability to succeed at the type of study required by a PhD or MFA in Theater Arts. Provide recommenders with relevant information to work from--such as a description of each program you are applying to and any relevant experience and goals that you have. Also be sure to give them plenty of time to write thoughtful letters on your behalf.

Getting to Know Your Academic Community and Audience

Before you apply to a PhD or MFA in Theater Arts, you can make yourself more competitive as a candidate by becoming familiar with the professional community you hope to join. This helps you to write a personal statement that resonates with the admissions committee reading it. It also helps you prepare for your theater arts career. Below are a handful of ways to develop a background in your future field.

• Subscribe to publications. Reading publications targeted at theater arts students and professionals can help build your knowledge of the field. Various universities and other organizations publish journals, magazines, and newsletters. These publications cover a wide range of topics, including scholarly research and analysis, audition updates, production reviews, perspectives from theater professionals, and news on relevant technical developments, among many other topics.
• Attend conferences. For theater arts scholars and professionals, conferences offer an opportunity to learn from colleagues about current research, practices, and theater developments. Many institutions and organizations host conferences annually or throughout the year. Specific conferences may cover theater arts in general or focus on particular areas within the field, such as design or direction.
• Join a professional organization or association. Professional organizations and associations exist in every sub-field of theater arts. As you narrow down your interests to a particular area, join an organization or association related to it.

Throughout your process of learning about PhD or MFA in Theater Arts options that suit you, put time and care into your research. Look to resources like WorldWideLearn.com to help you as you take this important step toward your future career in theater arts.

Sources

• Baylor University Theater, Graduate Program - MFA Directing
• Brown University Theater Arts and Performance Studies, Doctoral Program in Theater and Performance Studies
• CalArts Schools of Theater, School of Theater Program Requirements
• Columbia University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Admissions Information / Doctoral Program Subcommittee on Theater
• National Association of Schools of Theater
• Open Directory Project, Arts: Performing Arts: Theatre: Conferences
• Robert W. Woodruff Library at Atlanta University, Theater Arts / List of Journals
• University of Iowa Theater Arts, Master of Fine Arts in Dramaturgy
• University of Minnesota, Department of Theater Arts & Dance, Graduate School Catalog / Theater Arts
• University of Oregon, Department of Theater Arts, Degree Information
• University of Wisconsin, Theater and Drama, Graduate School Admission Requirements
• University of Wisconsin, Theater and Drama, Theater and Drama MA and PhD Programs Handbook
• U.S. Department of Education, The Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
• Vanguard University of Southern California Theater Arts
• The WWW Virtual Library, Theater and Drama
• Yale School of Drama, Application Requirements by Department