University of California, Irvine

Program Information

Degree Offered

M.F.A. - Drama: Acting, Directing, Design and Stage Management

Format: Campus

Program Description:

The Drama Department at UC Irvine offers the Master's in Fine Arts (MFA) in three disciplines; i.e., acting, directing, stage management. and design (w/ specializations in sound design, lighting design, costume design, or scenic design). Please visit the respective websites for more detail on all matters related to these programs; e.g., requirements, deadline, audition calendars, curriculum, student support, application deadlines, etc.
The MFA degree programs have an extraordinarily distinguished and supportive faculty, a well-planned and effective curriculum, and excellent production facilities. But the most important single element of your experience in any graduate training program is your colleagues. The MFA programs at UCI offer a supportive educational environment for our students and encourage individual growth.
Nevertheless, our standards are high: strong work is the minimum expectation. If actors do not meet our standards, they are asked to leave. But UCI does not plan any attrition into its graduate recruiting. There is no "Black Monday" at the end of the first or second year where actors discover whether they have been accepted back into the next year. Such a policy, in our view, creates a destructively competitive atmosphere that impedes the training process. The "cut" at UCI is the admission process: Our graduate programs have high selectivity ratios. This means you are in the company of some of the very best drama students in the country.

California Residents pay only the "in-state tuition" of $13,146 per year*; however various forms of financial support and aid are frequently available to pay all or some of a student's tuition and living expenses. Check with the graduate affairs advisor in this department for more information. You will want to review UC Irvine's Office of Financial Aid website, too. Non-California, U.S. Residents pay the "out-of-state tuition" rate of $28,518* for only their first year, assuming the student is proactive in satisfying the requirements to formally establish their residency in California. Non-US, international doctoral students pay the "out-of-state tuition" rate of $28,518*. ( * Note: All amounts are the annual amount for the 2010-11 academic year and are calculated as an aggregate of UC Irvine's Fall, Winter & Spring quarters. Rates are subject to change by the Regents of the University of California. Amounts include ~ $800/yr in Health Insurance which a student can be waived by petition providing documented proof of personal medical insurance via an outside provider.)

Accreditation:

UC Irvine is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and all graduate programs receive rigorous external reviews mandated by the University of California every five years.

Eligibility Requirements:

See specific website for your drama area of specialization for more details. Official GRE Scores (UCI Institutional Code is 4859, Departmental Code is 0613).

Please Note: GRE scores that are more than five years old by the first day of classes will NOT be accepted.

At least three (3) letters of recommendation are required. Two official copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you attended. Your "Statement of Purpose" to provide relevant information regarding your academic preparation for this program, personal experiences, motivation for pursuing this advanced degree, future goals, areas of research interest, etc. For questions or more information, please email the academic department and we will forward information that is more detailed to you.

International Student Requirements:

1. International Students and students who do not speak English as their native language must submit scores for TOEFL iBT with an overall minimum score of 80. As an option, you may submit scores from the IELTS exam (overall score = 7 .AND. with a score = 6 on each individual IELTS module). 2. Applicants who qualify to serve as Teaching Assistants (TA) may be more competitive for admission. To be eligible to serve as a TA, a TOEFLibt score = 26 on the Speaking component, OR, an IELTS score = 8 on their Speaking module, OR, a score = 50 on the TSE (Test of Spoken English). Official Test Scores must be transmitted to UC Irvine. TOEFL/TOEFLibt scores will be transmitted to UC Irvine when you specify the following UC Irvine Codes on your exam: Institutional Code = 4859, Departmental Code = 47 ** TOEFL/TOEFLibt or IELTS test scores must be = two years old as of the first day of classes. Older scores are NOT acceptable.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition In-State Full Time:

13416 USD

Tuition Out of State Full Time:

28518 USD

Financial Aid Offered: Yes

Classification: Doctoral/Research Universities - Extensive

Institution Sector: Public

Locale: Midsize City

Size & Settings: 20,000 and above