People and Programs

The Graduate Program

Admissions Procedures

The UMass Department of Theater is not accepting any applications to its graduate programs this year, as no new students will be admitted in Fall 2010. We accept students 2 out of every 3 years, and we are currently in the "off" year of our application cycle. Please do not apply this year. We will once again be accepting applications next year (2010-2011) for admission starting Fall 2011. For more information about a specific graduate program, please contact the faculty member listed for that area.

Applicants follow the procedures for admission established by the Graduate School at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In addition, the Department of Theater requests the following:

1. Applicants should submit a complete résumé of production experience.

2. Applicants who intend to concentrate in dramaturgy or directing must provide at least two sample essays, which demonstrate research, analytic, and writing skills. Dramaturgy applicants may provide essays consisting of dramatic criticism, historical production research, or criticism of witnessed theatrical performances. Directing applicants must provide essays on plays they have directed or would like to direct. Note: preference is given to applicants in dramaturgy who are proficient in a second language.

3. Those who intend to focus their graduate training in design must provide a portfolio in a format of the applicant’s choosing. The portfolio may include draftings, light plots and paperwork, scenic or costume design renderings, photographs or slides of models and executed projects, or samples of graphic or other applied arts. Descriptive accounts of each item in the portfolio should be included. Portfolios are returned upon request.

4. After the faculty has reviewed all completed applicant files, those candidates selected for consideration will be invited to the campus for an interview. In some instances, this may be replaced by a regional interview.

Completed application forms, transcripts, letters of recommendation and GRE scores should be sent directly to:
            Graduate Admissions Office
            530 Goodell
            University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003

For further information visit www.umass.edu/gradschool/ or call (413) 545-0721.

All other supporting materials should be sent to:
Graduate Program Director
Department of Theater
            112 Fine Arts Center
University of Massachusetts
151 Presidents Drive Ofc. 2
Amherst, MA 01003-9331

For further information, visit the department website at www.umass.edu/theater or call (413) 545-3490.

Status of Admission

Applicants may be admitted to the graduate program in theater in one of the following categories:

Degree Status: Applicants who qualify fully to undertake the graduate work in theater leading to the degree of Master of Fine Arts are admitted with degree status.

Provisional Status: Students who are permitted to enter the graduate program in theater on a probationary basis are admitted with provisional status. Provisional students may register for a maximum of 12 credits or for two consecutive enrollment periods, whichever is completed first. Admission to provisional status may be considered under two circumstances:

1. Applicants whose cumulative grade point average for all previous college work is below 3.00 (on a scale of 4.00) yet who demonstrate an unusual aptitude for theater may be accepted provisionally. At least nine of the 12 credits for which provisional students may enroll must be earned in graduate courses approved by the department’s graduate committee. To be considered for admission to the program with degree status, the student must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in all graduate courses taken during the probationary term.

2. An applicant’s undergraduate degree need not be in theater, but previous training and experience should be comparable to that required for the Bachelor of Arts in Theater at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Applicants with incomplete backgrounds in theater who show exceptional artistic promise may be admitted provisionally. Provisional admission under these circumstances is ordinarily for one semester only, although an additional term may be approved if previous training in theater is minimal.

Work used to correct deficiencies may be taken at the undergraduate level only, with courses specified by the department’s graduate committee, and does not apply toward the degree of Master of Fine Arts. To be considered for admission to the program with degree status, the student must earn a minimum grade of B in each course used to remedy the deficiencies.

Non-Degree Status: Regulations governing the admission of students with non-degree status are the same as those described in the Graduate School Bulletin. Participation by non-degree students in the Department’s graduate program is on a space-available basis. Non-degree applicants, therefore, should inquire of the graduate program director at the earliest possible date to learn whether enrollment is possible in graduate-level courses in any given semester.

New England Regional Student Program

Qualified residents of Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont are eligible to participate in the regional graduate tuition rate, currently 50 percent over the rate charged to residents of Massachusetts. Inquiries regarding the New England Regional Student Program should be directed to:
            Graduate Admissions Office
            530 Goodell
            University of Massachusetts
            Amherst, MA 01003

            (413) 545-0721

Transfer Credits

Upon admission to the degree program in theater, students may petition the graduate program director in writing to recommend to the graduate dean the transfer of a maximum of 12 graduate credits earned at other institutions. The credits requested for transfer must be in graduate courses applicable to the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Theater at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst as determined by the student’s committee.

Students permitted to transfer credits from other institutions will have the statute of limitations reduced, but by no more than one semester.

Under unusual circumstances, students have received up to 18 credits for prior professional experience. Such students typically enter into the second year in the M.F. A. program.

Download this admissions information (PDF)

Policies

Degree and Residency Requirements

Upon admission to the degree program in theater, a graduate student usually trains for six full-time semesters in residence and accumulates a minimum of 60 credits in graduate courses applicable to the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Theater in one of the areas of specialization offered by the department. To be considered in full-time residence, a graduate student in theater must carry, during any given period of enrollment at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a minimum of nine graduate credits applicable to the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Theater. Credits for courses audited or from which a student withdraws do not pertain. An approved Master’s project must be satisfactorily completed. Professional internships appropriate to the student’s degree programs and not available in the existing curriculum may be applicable with the approval of the student’s committee.

Leaves of Absence

Normally, residency in the degree program in theater is continuous. A student may petition the graduate program director in writing for a leave of absence, with a detailed justification and a specific date of anticipated return. Leaves of absence must be personally unavoidable and academically defensible. A given leave may not exceed one calendar year and requires the approval of the graduate dean. The program fee must be paid each semester the student is on leave.

Statue of Limitations

Students may not register for course work applicable to the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Theater for more than four consecutive calendar years. The statue of limitations is reduced proportionally for students permitted to apply degree credits transferred for other institutions. The statue of limitations for students on approved leaves of absence is extended for a period of time equal to the leave. Students who require more time than permitted by the status of limitations may petition the graduate program director in writing for a specific period of extension, with detailed justification and a timetable for completion. This petition will require the approval of the graduate dean.

Dismissal Policy

Dismissal from the program may be made only by the graduate dean, upon the recommendation of the chair of the department. Failure to meet the requirements, regulations, and deadlines established by the Department of Theater and the Graduate School is considered sufficient grounds for dismissal. In particular, the following pertain:

1. Failure to remain in good academic standing for two consecutive periods of enrollment.

2. Failure to make satisfactory or reasonable progress toward the degree as indicated by the program reviews.

3. Failure to obtain approval for a leave of absence from the program.

4. Failure to obtain approval to complete the requirements of the degree in absentia.

5. Failure to complete the degree requirements within the approved statute of limitations.

6. Plagiarism, fraudulence, or other illegal or unethical practices.

Download this policy information (PDF)

 

This page is maintained by Department of Theater.
© 2008 University of Massachusetts Amherst • Site Policies

-""