Graduate Studies

MFA & MA DEGREE PROGRAMS

Graduate Degree programs in the Department of Theatre are designed to prepare you for a career as a professor or administrator in higher education, or for a career in professional theatre.

MFA Degree Programs
           MFA – Acting
           MFA – Design
MA Degree Programs (College of Arts and Letters)                       
           MA – Arts and Cultural Management

Available Positions for 2024 – 2025 Academic Year:

MFA in Acting: We recruit one class every three years. Our next cohort will begin in August of 2024. Recruitment will begin in January of 2024. We will attend URTA auditions, and we will provide a non-URTA way to audition. For details, please visit MFA in Acting. Contact Deric McNish with any questions.

MFA in Design: We are CURRENTLY recruiting for admission to MSU in the fall of 2024. We will attend LiNK and URTA. Those not participating in either LiNK or U/RTA may schedule a virtual interview with design faculty. Contact Karen Kangas-Preston for more information.

MA – Arts and Cultural Management: Recruitment for this program is ongoing. For application instructions and more details about the program, please visit MA – Arts and Cultural Management or e-mail Kirk Domer. 

Please do NOT apply to the Graduate School until you have spoken to the correct faculty representative.

Graduate Assistantships

Application for Graduate Assistantships

The Department of Theatre offers TA positions in:

  • Acting: THR 101, THR 110, THR 201, THR 204, and IAH 241D (Integrative Arts and Humanities) as well as online courses: THR 100, THR 110 THR 330, THR 336, THR 350, and THR 421.
  • Design (Scenery, Costume, Lighting, Sound, Integrated Media) THR 111, THR 111L, THR 211, THR 212, THR 214, THR 216, THR 219, and IAH 241D (Integrative Arts and Humanities) as well as online courses: THR 100, THR 110 THR 330, THR 336, THR 350, and THR 421.

Appointment Length: 9 month FS & SS; 50% time.

Graduate Assistantships offer full tuition waiver and a competitive stipend.  

Designers and actors as part of their assistantships will teach a variety of courses that may include intensive lab and studio classes, large lecture classes, and online courses.  

Qualifications: Candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree including twenty-four credits in Theatre (or professional equivalences). Once accepted into the MFA in Acting or MFA in Design, the candidate must remain enrolled and in good standing to be eligible. 

Job Expectations: Assignments include but are not limited to lab supervision, shop work, undergraduate mentoring, grading, and independent teaching. Specific qualifications are dependent on the assignment.  

Graduate Resources

Graduate Employees Union

Graduate assistants and other graduate student employees of the University are covered by a contract negotiated with the Graduate Employees Union.