Master of Arts: Theatre and Performance Studies
Entrance Qualifications
The MA in Theatre and Performance Studies is open to all qualified students who have completed an undergraduate degree or who will complete one prior to registration. An undergraduate major in theatre arts is not a prerequisite for admission to the program.
Admission Procedures
A personal interview is recommended, though not required, for all candidates applying to the program. Candidates must designate the degree option of their choice and submit a statement of career objectives and two samples of research writing. Admissions criteria include (not necessarily in order of priority) college transcripts, three letters of recommendation, scores on the MAT or GRE examinations, and an evaluation of the student's interview, experience, and compatibility with departmental goals. (Note: If it is not possible to appear for an interview in-person, an interview by telephone is recommended.)
As of Sep 1, 2004, Pitt no longer accepts paper applications. Application deadline is January 15, 2008. Apply online.
Curriculum (Beyond the Masters Degree)
Required Course Work:
- Year-long graduate course in the History of Theatre
- Materials and Methods of Research in Theatre Arts
- One course in technical theatre (can be waived)
- One course in performance (can be waived)
- Six additional courses in dramatic literature, theatre history, criticism, or theory
Normally at least three of the required six additional courses in dramatic literature, theatre history, criticism or theory will be graduate seminars in the department. The others may be undergraduate (1000 series) or graduate (2000 series) courses in the department. With approval of the student's advisor, some of these may be taken in a separate department in the University.
Courses labeled research, directed study or independent study cannot be used to fulfill this requirement, except by the approval of the graduate faculty. The student's advisor will regulary monitor selection of courses and approve the overall sequence chosen.
Reading Syllabus
A reading list, made up of plays, critical works and historical studies important to the knowledge of theatre arts, is distributed to incoming students to be used as a general guide. The reading list relevant to the candidate's option is distributed by the advisor.
Technical Production Assignments
All candidates for the MA in Theatre and Performance Studies are required to complete 20 hours of production work each semester during which they are not taking a technical theatre course.
Requirements for the Completion of the Degree
Residency
A minimum of one and a half years or three semesters of residency is required.
Courses
33 hours of courses, made up of those stipulated in the curriculum and electives (including independent study, supervised study, and/or in-training programs) are required.
Minimum Grade Requirement
The MA degree is conferred only on those students who have completed all courses required for the degree with an average grade of B (i.e., a 3.00 QPA).
Comprehensive Examination
The Master of Arts Comprehensive Exam is centered on theatre history and dramatic literature. For this purpose the periods of theatre are divided into two groups:
GROUP A and GROUP B
- Greek and Roman 18th Century European
- Medieval European 19th Century European & American
- Continental Renaissance Modern (1880-1939) European & American
- English Renaissance (1558-1642) Contemporary (1940- ) European & American
- 17th Century European American (to 1914)
- Specified non-Western areas* Specified non-Western areas* (to 1700) (after 1700)
- Non-text Driven Western Performance
* (African, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, etc.)
Students are required to pick five of the above areas for examination, two from one group and three from the other. The exam consists of a two-hour essay paper on each of the five chosen areas in addition to a list of terms to be identified in a brief paragraph. The topics may include critical and theoretical approaches to theatre and drama of the periods and might also contain shorter, factual questions. In order to pass the MA Comprehensive exam, students must successfully complete all five essay papers. If a student fails in more than two of the areas, the student must take the entire exam again. If the student fails in two or fewer areas, he/she may retake the exam in those areas only.
Students are required to make arrangements for taking the exam by consulting the faculty member currently writing and reading questions in the chosen area. The method for preparing each area exam is to be determined by the faculty member writing the questions.
Note: Full-time faculty are not on-contract between May 15 and August 15 each academic year. Students wishing to take exams during that period must receive special permission from the graduate faculty.
The MA degree is conferred only upon those students who show they have mastered the general field of their graduate study by successfully completing the comprehensive examination. Students on inactive, special, or provisional status or on probation are not eligible to take a comprehensive examination. These examinations must be taken at least one month prior to the last day of the term in which the degree is to be granted
More Information
Jami White
Graduate Admissions/Department Secretary
Department of Theatre Arts
1617 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624-0466