Degree Offered
- Master of Fine Arts
Nature of the Program
The M.F.A. acting program is an intensive three-year course of study designed to train students for the professional theatre world and its related fields including teaching pedagogy. The graduate acting studio program offers conservatory-style actor training in all aspects of acting, voice/speech, and movement. In addition to the studio program, students are required to complete coursework in theatre history, text analysis, criticism, and research methods. An overall grade point average of 3.0 is needed to remain in the program.
M.F.A. acting students are accepted every three years and must follow the prescribed course sequence in the order that they are offered. The School of Theatre and Dance will be recruiting and auditioning the next incoming M.F.A. acting class during the 2026-27 academic year. These students will start their enrollment in Fall 2027.
Admissions for 2025-2026
Prospective candidates for the degree of master of fine arts in theatre must have a B.A. or B.F.A. degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. Ordinarily, a minimum of thirty semester hours in theatre at the undergraduate level is expected to have been completed with a grade point average of no less than 2.75; although, students with an undergraduate grade point average of 2.25 to 2.75 may be admitted with probationary status.
Auditions
Applicants must audition/interview to gain admittance into the program. Applicants intending to specialize in acting must submit a complete resume of their acting experience, at least two letters of recommendation from acting coaches or directors, and must present an audition before at least one member of the acting faculty. Those intending to specialize in design must submit a complete portfolio of their work, a resume of their design experience, and at least two letters of recommendation from design instructors or directors. An interview with members of the design faculty is also required.
M.F.A. acting students are accepted every three years and must follow the prescribed course sequence in the order that they are offered. The School of Theatre and Dance will be recruiting and auditioning the next incoming M.F.A. acting class during the 2026-27 academic year. These students will start their enrollment in Fall 2027.
For further details regarding these requirements, please contact the School of Theatre & Dance, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6111, Morgantown, WV 26506-6111, visit theatre.wvu.edu, or call (304) 293-2020.
Advanced Standing
Students may be eligible for eighteen hours of graduate transfer credit for advanced-standing if they meet the regular requirements of graduate admission. Students admitted with advanced standing are required to be in residence at WVU for a minimum of two semesters and a summer session. The request for advanced standing should be made to the school director at the time of application.
Major Code: 3735
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| An overall minimum GPA 3.0 is required. | ||
| Theatre Studies | ||
| THET 610 | Research Methods | 3 |
| Seminar | 9 | |
| Graduate Seminar | ||
| Research | 3 | |
| Research | ||
| Performance Studies | ||
| THET 540S | Graduate Vocal Techniques | 2 |
| THET 541S | Graduate Voice Techniques | 2 |
| THET 542S | Graduate Stage Movement 1 | 2 |
| THET 543S | Graduate Stage Movement 2 | 2 |
| THET 544S | Graduate Acting Studio 1 | 3 |
| THET 545S | Graduate Acting 2 | 3 |
| Graduate Scene Study 1 (take twice, 1 credit each) | 2 | |
| Graduate Scene Study 1 | ||
| Graduate Scene Study 2 (taken twice, 1 credit each) | 2 | |
| Graduate Scene Study 2 | ||
| Graduate Production Practicum (taken 5 times, 1 credit each) | 5 | |
| Graduate Production Practicum | ||
| THET 640S | Advanced Graduate Vocal Techniques | 2 |
| THET 641S | Advanced Graduate Vocal Techniques 2 | 2 |
| THET 642S | Advanced Graduate Stage Movement | 2 |
| THET 643S | Advanced Graduate Stage Movement 2 | 2 |
| THET 644S | Advanced Graduate Acting Studio 1 | 3 |
| THET 645S | Advanced Acting Studio | 3 |
| THET 650S | Graduate Study in Musical Theatre | 2 |
| THET 651S | Graduate Acting for the Camera | 2 |
| THET 740S | Advanced Graduate Vocal Techniques 3 | 2 |
| THET 742S | Advanced Graduate Stage Movement 3 | 2 |
| THET 750S | Graduate Showcase 1 | 1 |
| THET 751S | Showcase Development | 2 |
| Advance Study Electives | 6 | |
| Oral Defense | ||
| Evaluation (semesterly) | ||
| Total Hours | 69 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THET 540S | 2 | THET 541S | 2 |
| THET 542S | 2 | THET 543S | 2 |
| THET 544S | 3 | THET 545S | 3 |
| THET 546S | 1 | THET 546S | 1 |
| THET 610 | 3 | THET 600 | 1 |
| Graduate Seminar | 3 | ||
| 11 | 12 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THET 547S | 1 | THET 547S | 1 |
| THET 640S | 2 | THET 641S | 2 |
| THET 642S | 2 | THET 643S | 2 |
| THET 644S | 3 | THET 645S | 3 |
| THET 600 | 1 | THET 600 | 1 |
| Graduate Seminar | 3 | Graduate Seminar | 3 |
| 12 | 12 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THET 600 | 1 | THET 600 | 1 |
| THET 650S | 2 | THET 697 | 3 |
| THET 651S | 2 | THET 751S | 2 |
| THET 740S | 2 | Advance Study Elective | 3 |
| THET 742S | 2 | ||
| THET 750S | 1 | ||
| Advance Study Elective | 3 | ||
| 13 | 9 | ||
| Total credit hours: 69 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Acting
General Requirements:
Graduates of M.F.A. programs in the School of Theatre & Dance must exhibit exceptional skill in theatre practice and a well-developed personal aesthetic. The competencies outlined below are combined and synthesized to achieve this result. The standards do not require a specific course for each competency.
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Advanced professional competence in some aspect of theatre practice as exemplified by a considerable depth of knowledge and achievement demonstrated by a significant body of work.
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A breadth of understanding in theatre and any appropriate related disciplines, the ability to think independently, and to integrate and synthesize information associated with high levels of practice in an area of specialization.
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Awareness of current issues and developments that are influencing the principal field(s) of study, and professional ability and clear potential to contribute to the practice and advancement of the field.
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Writing and speaking skills to communicate clearly and effectively to the theatre communities and the public.
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Advanced capabilities with technologies normally utilized in the creation of work.
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An understanding of professional ethics and practice associated with the major field.
Specific Requirements:
The graduate must demonstrate advanced professional competence in acting including, but not limited to:
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The ability to employ a broad range of acting knowledge and skills in the creation and presentation of roles.
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The ability to perform in plays of various types and from various periods.
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The acquisition of advanced understanding and capabilities in voice and speech, movement, and play analysis.
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A working knowledge of historical, critical, and theoretical content and the ways they inform playwriting and dramatic writing, the creation of roles, and other aspects of production.
The student must perform regularly and should have at least two significant roles in full-length, public productions during the period of study.