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Admission Requirements

Prospective graduate students who plan to earn an M.A. or M.S. in Theater Arts should present a minimum of 28 credits in theater arts, including 8 credits in acting, 4 credits in directing, 8 credits in technical theater, 4 credits in script analysis, and 4 credits in costuming, or equivalent competencies as determined by the department. Individual students may be required to complete additional graduate and undergraduate courses to make up for deficiencies.

Believing that specialization best proceeds from a broad knowledge of the field as a whole, the program recommends the completion of a bachelors degree in theater. Students with a bachelors in theater, who meet university requirements, will be admitted to regular degree status, as will prospective students who have completed the following or equivalent courses:

TA 111, 112 Technical Theater I, II, (3, 3)
TA 114, 115 Technical Theater Productions (1, 1)
TA 248 Acting I: Process (4)
TA 301 Script Analysis (4)
TA 311 Scene Design I (4)
or TA 314 Lighting Design I (3)
or TA 321 Intro to Costume Design (4)
TA 454 Directing I (4)

(Students with lower division deficiencies are admitted with qualified status; regular degree status is conferred only after deficiencies have been removed.)

How to Apply for Graduate Studies

Graduate application procedures and materials for the Theater Arts MA/MS are available via PSU's Admissions website: www.pdx.edu/admissions/graduate-admission.

In addition to the university application, the Department of Theater Arts requires

  • a personal statement of goals in the discipline: What is your educational goal? How will this degree further your education?;
  • transcripts from all schools attended;
  • two recommendations (three for Standard Secondary Endorsement applicants);
  • a resume;
  • TOEFL combined test score, if English is your second language; and
  • completion of the departmental application.

Please print, complete, and send the Theater Arts application with required materials to:
Department of Theater Arts
Portland State University
PO Box 751
Portland, OR 97207-0751

If you have any questions please email theaterarts@pdx.edu.

Graduate application procedures and materials for the Interdisciplinary Studies MA/MS are available via the Office of Graduate Studies. For complete information on MS-IS degree requirements, contact Courtney Hanson in the Office of Graduate Studies at hanson@pdx.edu.  The MA/MS in Interdisciplinary Studies is under review and not currently admitting students.

Interdisciplinary Studies Application for Admission.

Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, however the department observes the university’s application priority dates. Although students can be admitted to the program throughout the year, it is strongly recommended that students enter the program during fall term.

Application Priority Dates
Fall Term: April 1
Winter Term: September 1
Spring Term: November 1
Summer Session: February 1