Undergraduate Degrees
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
A four-year program of study including the theatre arts major and the
University group-satisfying requirements, but usually leaving room for electives
and possibly a minor. The overall program of study provides opportunities
to explore many areas of knowledge and to develop skills in creative thought,
organization and communication. The B.A. is usually more appropriate for
a theatre arts major than the B.S.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Similar to the B.A. but requires certain science and mathematics coursework in place of certain language and literature coursework.
Major Requirements
In addition to general university-wide requirements for the B.A. or B.S. degree, the department requires the following for a major in theatre arts:
- All ten of the following courses
- Introduction to Design (TA 210)
- Theatre Production I and II (TA 211, 212)
- Acting I (TA 250)
- Introduction to Theatre Arts (TA 271)
- Play Direction (TA 364)
- History of the Theatre I, II and III (TA 367, 368, 369)
- Advanced Script Analysis (TA 462)
- Three upper-division courses in the art and craft of theatre (acting, directing, playwriting, scenery, costumes, lighting, technical theatre)
- Three upper-division courses in theatre studies (theatre history, dramatic literature, theory, criticism), one of which may be selected from a list of approved courses from other departments (available in the department office, 216 Villard)
- Three of the following:
- Scenery Production (TA 321)
- Costume Production (TA 322)
- Lighting Production (TA 323)
- Production (TA 324)
- Letter grades of mid-C or better in all coursework for the major
Minor in Theatre Arts
A student majoring in another department may earn a minor in theatre arts consisting of 24 credits. At least 16 credits must be completed at the university and at least 16 credits must be completed at the upper-division level. The student must complete at least one course in each of the following four areas: (1) literature and criticism, (2) theatre history, (3) performance, and (4) technical theatre and design. All courswork for the minor must be completed with letter grades of mid-C or better.
Graduate Degrees
For detailed information and policies, please consult the Graduate Student Handbook. To request further information directly from the department, please contact our office manager, Anna Puhn .
The value and purpose of a graduate degree in theatre arts can vary depending on the student's professional and personal goals.
Those who wish to teach at the college or university level should plan to complete a terminal degree--an M.F.A. or a Ph.D. The relationship between the degree and the teaching position can vary from institution to institution, but in general, the M.F.A. is appropriate for those teaching in artistic or production areas (acting, directing, playwriting, design, technical production), while the Ph.D. is appropriate for those teaching in theatre studies (theatre history, dramatic literature, theory, criticism). However, many Ph.D. faculty teach acting, directing, playwriting or design, and some M.F.A. faculty teach history and literature.
The M.A. and M.S. degrees are not as competitive in the job market as they
once were, although they sometimes offer appropriate training for teaching
in community colleges. Many people complete master's degrees as preparation
for terminal degrees, and the Department of Theatre Arts does require an appropriate
M.A. or M.S. for admission into the Ph.D. program.
We do not offer degrees with primary emphasis in acting or playwriting.
We do not offer an M.F.A. in directing, but most of our Ph.D. students are
preparing to become directors in academic or professional theatre.
Current students only: To visit the administrative site of the Graduate School, go to their home page and click on "Grad Web."
Master of Arts (M.A.)
A two-year program, usually requiring competence in a foreign language. Completion involves either a comprehensive exam or written thesis. A master's degree tends to be research- or academically-oriented and often leads to further study towards a Ph.D.
Master of Science (M.S.)
Similar to the M.A., but the student may substitute a related research tool for the language requirement.
Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
The M.F.A. is the terminal degree for those planning to work or teach in
theatrical production. We offer three-year programs of study in scenic design,
costume design and lighting design; some students also work on technical direction.
Completion involves a creative project with an accompanying written report.
We do not offer the M.F.A. degree in acting, directing or playwriting.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
The Ph.D. is the terminal degree for research- or academically-oriented students, although Ph.D. students in our department usually participate in production, most often as directors. To complete the degree, the student takes written and oral comprehensive exams, and subsequently writes a dissertation.
How to apply to our graduate degree programs
Visit the Graduate School to read the official information that applies to students in all departments; following is a summary with a few details that are specific to our department.
Some of the materials below are available from the UO web site as PDF files. To read a PDF file, you need a copy of Adobe
Acrobat Reader, available free of charge from the Adobe web site.
Except for the application fee, please send all materials to this address:
Graduate Applications
Department of Theatre Arts
1231 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
You will also need to send a duplicate set of most of your materials directly to the Office of Admissions; visit the Graduate
School site for details.
The deadline for submitting graduate applications to Theatre Arts is February
1. The faculty will then review materials and identify those applicants whom they wish to admit to begin study in the following September.
All applicants must submit the following:
- UO Graduate School Application, available as a PDF file or to complete on line (see note below)
- Non-refundable application fee (to be sent directly to Admissions); check with the Graduate School for the current amount
- Three letters of recommendation, in sealed envelopes, each on the form entitled Report on Graduate Applicant (PDF) or (.doc)
- Original transcripts, in sealed envelopes, from all institutions (must show all degrees awarded)
- Personal statement — a short essay that acquaints the reader with your personal reasons for working in the theatre, your theatre aesthetic, you rmotivation for pursuing graduate study, and your career goals
- Formal writing sample — a sample of your best academic writing (term paper, chapter of thesis, etc.)
M.F.A. applicants should also submit a portfolio of work for consideration.
International students must also submit the following:
- International Students Financial Statement -- any applicant who is not a United States citizen must complete and submit this form along with supporting document
- TOEFL scores
Optional materials for all applicants:
- GTF Application (application for a graduate teaching fellowship, successful applicants serve as course instructors, teaching assistants, or shop supervisors
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- GRE scores
- Supporting materials not included above, possibly including awards, additional writing samples, photographs, etc.
The secure on-line application requires the use of Netscape Navigator (version 4.06 or higher) or Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 4.0 or higher) that supports JavaScript, Cookies, and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Macintosh users require Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 4.51 or higher).