Graduate Admissions
The MFA Degrees are 60 credit, 3 year programs and are available for Fall entry only. the MFA in Design/Technology admits new students yearly.
Apply for acceptance to the Graduate College of The University of Arizona.
There are no University graduate deadlines for application; however they suggest that international students apply by December 1 to start school the following Fall, to make sure that there is enough time to obtain a visa if the student is admitted.
Submit the following materials online through the Graduate College Application Portal:
- Official transcripts from ALL previous colleges and universities attended
- Statement of Intent
- Three recommendations
- Résumé
Graduate College Application Fee: $85.00 for domestic applications, $95 for international applications
Graduate Assistantships & Fellowships
A variety of financial aid, including nonresident tuition and registration fee waivers, is available for graduate students. Several scholarships and fellowships are awarded on the basis of talent and merit. Theatre Arts also awards graduate teaching assistantships, which provide students with on-the-job training in the areas of teaching, technical production, scene design, costume design, lighting design and theatre history. Students may be eligible for aid offered through the UA Office of Financial Aid. Such students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Additional Requirements for admissions to each degree option is listed in the pull down menus below:
In order to be admitted as a potential MFA candidate in Design/Technology, you must have completed the following classes:
- Two semesters of Theatre History
- One semester of Stagecraft or documented equivalent practical experience
- One semester of Acting or documented equivalent practical experience
Those who have not done so may need to take additional course units during their first year of study to make up for deficiencies in these areas.
Applicants for this degree are required to conduct a portfolio review with the Design & Technology faculty.
There are four ways to accomplish this:
- Interview in person at the University of Arizona in Tucson (call 520-621-7008 to set up an appointment).
- University/Resident Theatre Association Unified Auditions. UA plans to have a representative present in all three sites. Please call 520-621-7008 for information about faculty attendance.
- Although an in-person interview is preferred, you may send your portfolio to the Theatre Program, either in hard copy (carefully packed and insured) or digital format, if the above options are impossible.
- Through the on-line graduate application portal
Examples of materials included in portfolio:
- Realized production work: research images, sketches, renderings, draftings, plots, schedules, production photographs
- Indication of process from conception to realization
- Classwork in field of expertise: drawings, renderings, draftings of course projects
- Related work: photography, artwork, or other related skills
Students usually will be notified of the status of their application within two weeks of the application deadline.