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 2026-2027
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 |
| Graduate Seminar | 3 | |
| Graduate Seminar | ||
| THET 697 | Research | 3 |
| THET 780 | Thesis Research & Writing | 3 |
| Additional Area of Design | ||
| THET 624S | Graduate Costume Design 1 | 3 |
| or THET 625S | Graduate Lighting Design | |
| Scenic Design & Technology | ||
| THET 524 | Production Planning | 3 |
| or THET 535 | Grad Theatre Health and Safety | |
| THET 622S | Graduate Scene Design | 3 |
| THET 623S | Advanced Graduate Scene Design | 3 |
| THET 623S | Advanced Graduate Scene Design | 3 |
| THET 633S | Graduate Stage Properties | 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 | 9 | |
| Oral Defense | ||
| Evaluation and Portfolio Review (semesterly) | ||
| Total Hours | 62 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THET 600 | 1 | THET 623S | 3 |
| THET 622S | 3 | THET 629 | 3 |
| THET 631S | 3 | THET 600 | 1 |
| THET 630S | 3 | THET 635S | 3 |
| 10 | 10 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THET 600 | 1 | THET 628S | 3 |
| THET 610 | 3 | THET 600 | 1 |
| THET 627S | 3 | THET 633S | 3 |
| THET 623S | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| THET 725S | 1 | ||
| 11 | 10 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THET 624S or 625S | 3 | THET 524 or 535 | 3 |
| Graduate Seminar | 3 | THET 780 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| THET 697 | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 12 | 9 | ||
| Total credit hours: 62 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Scenic Design and Technology
This degree program may be for students interested in pursuing opportunities as scenic designers for live theatrical or entertainment events.
As a graduate of our scenic design and technology program, you will:
- Create and Design: Apply advanced techniques to produce comprehensive scenic design packages using CAD software, complemented by models, renderings, and paint elevations. Develop sophisticated two- and three-dimensional designs that effectively communicate your vision.
- Analyze and Evaluate: Analyze scripts through historical, critical, and theoretical perspectives to inform your designs. Evaluate various styles and historical decorations to incorporate them thoughtfully into your work.
- Apply and Implement: Apply advanced drawing and painting skills with both traditional and digital media. Utilize computer and digital technology to present and communicate your designs.
- Understand and Interpret: Understand the intricacies of creating scenic designs for live productions, including various styles, periods, venues, and theatrical effects. Interpret and adapt these designs to meet the needs of diverse productions.
- Collaborate and Communicate: Evaluate and synthesize design concepts by working closely with the entire creative team. Communicate effectively to develop scenic designs from concept to finished product within budget constraints.
- Engage and Integrate: Engage with industry professionals to gain hands-on experience and integrate their insights into your production processes, ensuring practical and relevant learning.
The student must design scenery for at least two major productions during the period of study, at least one of which must be fully realized for the public.