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Master's in Theatre

The Curtain is Opening on Your Future

East Texas A&M University is the only A&M system university that offers a Master’s in Theatre!

Please note that this degree is not an introductory program and requires prior experience with either a Bachelor's in Theatre OR the equivalent amount of knowledge.

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What sets us apart?

  • Easy admission

  • Competitive tuition and fees

  • Scholarships and Graduate Assistantships

  • Individualized attention from award-winning faculty

  • Flexible combination of online and face-to-face courses

  • Opportunities for hands-on, artistic work for class credit

  • Wide variety of electives for you to personalize the program

Our Master’s in Theatre allows you to take center stage in planning your future and to focus on learning the topics of theatre production that interest you most.

  • Acting
  • Directing
  • Lighting
  • Management
  • Modern Theatre
  • Playwriting
  • Theatre History
  • Theatre Pedagogy
  • Theatrical Design
  • Theory

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delivery

On the Stage of Success

Whether you are working full-time or planning to immerse yourself full-time in the graduate school experience, our Master’s in Theatre has a degree plan for you!

  • CUSTOMIZABLE GRADUATE EXPERIENCE: Specifically designed for those that may be working full-time and are unable to pursue the traditional two-year graduate experience. Students typically seek face-to-face courses in the summer terms and online courses in the fall and spring terms. Individualized advising allows students the flexibility to complete their graduate degree in as quickly as 14 months.
  • Traditional two-year graduate experience: Allows students to dive fully into graduate school and commit full-time to the University Playhouse’s five main yearly productions and other student and independent productions throughout the year.

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DegreePlan

For a full list of Department of Theatre graduate course offerings, visit the online graduate catalog.

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app

PRINTABLE APPLICATION CHECKLIST - Providing you step-by-step instructions on the application process.

Questions about admissions? Contact Jack.Duffie@tamuc.edu

REQUIREMENTS-AT-A-GLANCE:

  • Application www.applytexas.org
  • Application Fee $50 domestic/$75 international
  • One Letter of Recommendation
  • Official Bachelor’s Transcripts
  • Statement of Goals
  • Resume
  • GRE – Requirement may be waived*
  • Additional items required for international students

ONLY LOOKING TO EARN 18SCH OF GRADUATE THEATRE COURSES?

Not sure about pursuing the full Master's in Theatre? No problem. You can pursue your 18sch as a "nondegree" student without having to pursue a full graduate degree.

NONDEGREE PRINTABLE APPLICATION CHECKLIST - Providing you step-by-step instructions on the application process.

Two points to keep in mind about "nondegree" status:

  • Nondegree students are not eligible for financial aid
  • International students may not eligible for nondegree status

If you change your mind later and would like to pursue the full Master's in Theatre, only four courses (12 credit hours) of your "nondegree" coursework can be transferred into the program later. Be sure to apply for the  Master's in Theatre before you complete your fourth course (12th credit hour) as a "nondegree" student.

More questions about earning your 18sch? Visit www.tamuc.edu/18hours

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cost

Check out our tuition estimator.

The average graduate student pursues 6sch (approximately two courses) each semester. Students can pursue one course or even three courses a semester, but students interested in more than three courses a semester should consult with their academic advisor beforehand.

This chart may not include several fees, such as a $10 semesterly Facility Fee (a state tax) and the Distance Education Fee for online courses. The Distance Education Fee is a $50 per credit hour fee applied to each online course. If that course is 3sch, as most are, it would be a $150 Distance Education Fee.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • MA or MS, what’s the difference?
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    The MA (Master’s of Arts) and the MS (Master’s of Science) differ by a foreign language requirement. To pursue a MA, you need to meet one of the following requirements:

    1) Successful Completion of 12 undergraduate semester credit hours of a foreign language.

    2) Enroll in 6 graduate semester credit hours of a foreign language.

    3) Test out of a foreign language.

  • Is this program online?
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    The Master’s in Theatre can be completed through a mix of modalities: you can complete the entire degree face-to-face here in Commerce, TX with the option of completing 50% of the degree through online courses. Face-to-face courses typically meet one day a week in the summer terms, and once or twice a week in the evenings during the fall and spring terms.

  • What is the deadline for application?
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    There is no deadline: we accept applications any time. We have four start times: Spring semester (January), Summer (June and July), and Fall (August).

  • Do I need to have a BA/BS in Theatre?
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    A Master’s in Theatre is not an introductory program. Our ideal student would have had theatre training/education prior to applying for our program. We would prefer that you hold a completed theatre major, minor, or at least 18sch of theatre courses within your bachelor’s degree. If you did not study theatre in your undergraduate degree but have significant professional experience in theatre, you may still be a likely candidate for admission. Your professional experience can be expressed through the Statement of Goals and Resume/CV required for admission to the program.

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Need an update?

To request a change to this page or to request access to make changes yourself, email helpdesk@tamuc.edu.