Courses in Theater MA

Areas of Study

The program leads to a general graduate degree, though there are opportunities, through electives and thesis or research topics, to stress a particular interest such as acting, design, directing, dramatic writing, or theater history and criticism. Note that the Master of Arts is a research-oriented degree. Students seeking professional training and production should apply to the M.F.A. program.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 10.5 courses (42 units), five of which must be at the graduate level, in at least one year of intensive study and research in an area of theater study, leading to the successful completion of either the comprehensive examination plan or major research project.

The required courses are one course in research methodology and a minimum of three courses in the proposed area of study. 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.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

A field experience may be required depending on the proposed area of study.

M.A. Plans

• Comprehensive Examination Plan - Major Research Project
  Students must complete an examination consisting of a major research paper which may be associated with four units of Theater 596A. The examination normally occurs during the final quarter of residency, at which time the student should have advanced to candidacy. If the student fails the review and evaluation of the creative work by the examining committee, the student may be reexamined. The number of reviews will be determined by the committee with final approval of the Chair of the Department.
• Thesis Plan
  Before beginning work on the thesis, students must obtain approval of a subject dealing with the history, aesthetics, criticism, or techniques of the theater and a general plan of investigation from the M.A. 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

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. Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve units per quarter. Required courses will be scheduled to permit completion within a one-year period.

Looking for more courses? View All Courses