Theatre, Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
Admission requirements
In addition to the School of the Arts admission requirements, applicants in theatre must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hour credits in theatre at the undergraduate level. Professional experience will be considered.
Applicants are admitted only upon satisfactory demonstration of ability and genuine interest through audition or portfolio presentation, interview, evidence of scholarly writing (essay or research paper) and a minimum 3.0 GPA. The demands of the program are stringent; and only those students who are willing to commit themselves to the work assigned and who are capable of observing strict professional discipline should apply.
An audition or presentation of portfolio is required in addition to a personal interview that the applicant must arrange with the Department of Theatre’s graduate studies adviser.
Special admissions requirements – professional tracks
Acting and directing
Applicants for acting and directing must present upon entrance at least six credit hours of undergraduate production or technical theatre course credit or the equivalent in professional experience.
Design
Applicants in costume and stage design must present upon entrance at least six credit hours of undergraduate performance course credit or the equivalent in professional experience.
Special admissions requirements – theatre pedagogy track
Applicants in theatre pedagogy must present upon entrance at least three credit hours of undergraduate design or technical theatre or the equivalent in professional experience.
Deficiencies in any of these special admissions requirements may be satisfied at VCU, but no graduate credit will be given for them. These prerequisites must be satisfied before the student may apply for candidacy.