Degree Offered
- Master of Fine Arts
Nature of the Program
The M.F.A. design program is an intense three-year course of study for students seeking professional preparation in scenic, costume, or lighting design.
Studio design courses, together with fully realized production experience, offer expectations found in the real world.
- Three years of graduate courses and production work totaling at least sixty-four designated credit hours
- A production or research thesis
- Oral defense of the thesis project
- A successful evaluation at the end of each semester of study
- An overall grade point average of 3.0
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.
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: 3738
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum GPA of 3.0 required. | ||
| Theatre Studies | ||
| THET 610 | Research Methods | 3 |
| THET 627S | Graduate Costume and Decoration 1 | 3 |
| THET 628S | Graduate Costume and Decoration 2 | 3 |
| THET 697 | Research | 3 |
| THET 697 | Research | 3 |
| THET 697 | Research | 3 |
| Stage Lighting | 2 | |
| Principles of Stage Lighting | ||
or THET 625S | Graduate Lighting Design | |
| Theatre Performance Design | ||
| THET 524 | Production Planning | 3 |
| THET 622S | Graduate Scene Design | 3 |
| THET 623S | Advanced Graduate Scene Design | 3 |
| THET 623S | Advanced Graduate Scene Design | 3 |
| THET 629 | Graduate Computer Assisted Design Seminar | 3 |
| THET 630S | Graduate Rendering Techniques | 3 |
| THET 631S | Graduate Drafting for the Stage | 3 |
| THET 635S | Graduate Scene Painting | 3 |
| THET 725S | Portfolio Development | 1 |
| Practicum | ||
| Graduate Production Practicum (taken 4 times, 1 credit each) | 4 | |
| Graduate Production Practicum | ||
| Electives | 12 | |
| Oral Defense | ||
| Evaluation and Portfolio Review (semesterly) | ||
| Total Hours | 61 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THET 600 | 1 | THET 520S or 625S | 2 |
| THET 610 | 3 | THET 623S | 3 |
| THET 622S | 3 | THET 629 | 3 |
| THET 631S | 3 | THET 600 | 1 |
| 10 | 9 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THET 627S | 3 | THET 524 | 3 |
| THET 630S | 3 | THET 623S | 3 |
| THET 635S | 3 | THET 628S | 3 |
| THET 600 | 1 | THET 600 | 1 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 10 | 13 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THET 697 | 3 | THET 697 | 6 |
| THET 725S | 1 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 10 | 9 | ||
| Total credit hours: 61 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Scenic Design and Technology
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.
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Writing and speaking skills to communicate clearly and effectively to the theatre communities and the public
-
Advanced capabilities with technologies normally utilized in the creation of work
-
An understanding of professional ethics and practice associated with the major field
Specific Requirements:
The graduate must demonstrate advanced professional competence in scenic design including, but not limited to:
-
Advanced knowledge and skills in working with drawing and rendering, model making, two- and three- dimensional design, computer/digital technology, video and projection, and functional knowledge of the histories of style and scene design.
-
Advanced knowledge and abilities in developing settings for productions of plays covering a range of styles, periods, and types of theatre, and utilization of techniques for production of a full range of theatrical effects.
-
Creative and technical ability to develop scene designs from concept to finished product.
-
A working knowledge of play analysis and of ways that historical, critical, and theoretical content inform various aspects of design and production.
-
The ability to work with theatre professionals in their processes of production.
The student must design at least two major productions during the period of study, at least one of which must be fully realized for the public.