MASTERS IN THEATRE
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Admission Requirements | Degree Requirements | MA Courses
The Hunter College Master of Arts in Theatre offers the opportunity to study theatre history, theory, dramaturgy, playwriting, acting and directing within the vibrant theatre environment of New York City. The graduate curriculum integrates theory with practice and accommodates the various backgrounds and career goals of our diverse student body of theatre professionals, dramaturgs, and educators.
Most students continue their professional theatre work or go on to Ph.D. Programs. There are 4 required classes Theatre History I and II, Play Analysis, and Dramatic Theory and Criticism. The remaining credits are filled with electives that draw from all areas of theatre study. Students can tailor their coursework to their own specific needs and complete at their own pace.
Members of our graduate faculty possess academic and professional credentials and experience. They specialize in such diverse areas as acting, directing, theatre history, performance theory, Asian theatre, French and German theatre, avant-garde theatre, political theatre, mime, and puppetry. In addition to the permanent faculty, the Harold Clurman Professorship allows us to supplement the regular faculty with well-known theatre artists and scholars who teach graduate seminars. In the past, seminars have been taught by Arthur Kopit, Eric Bentley, Gordon Rogoff, Andre Deshields, Arthur Miller, Ruby Dee, and Stanley Kauffmann among others.
Grants, Fellowships, and Graduate Assistantships
We provide funding for some of our students through the Vera Roberts Fellowship, awarded to the top incoming graduate student based on the academic record presented for admission, and through faculty recommendations for Roberts Foundation grants. The department has one graduate assistantship to aid with program administration. Students must complete at least one semester of coursework before receiving teaching assistant positions which are extremely limited. Student loan information can be found at the office of financial aid and is independent of the department.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The MA program is not accepting applications at this time.
Degree Requirements
Course of Study: Each candidate must complete an approved program of study of at least 30 credits, including the following 4 required classes:
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THC 70200 - History of Theatrical Theory
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THC 75100 - History of Theatre I
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THC 75200 - History of Theatre II
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THC 79000 - Play Analysis
The remaining 18 credits are fulfilled by electives. Electives rotate on a regular basis. Courses taken outside of the Department of Theatre may be applied toward the 30 credits with the prior approval of the graduate advisor, but may not exceed 9 credits. Not more than 9 credits may be transferred from nonmatriculated to matriculated status. Up to 9 credits may be transferred from other institutions with the approval of the graduate advisor.
Comprehensive Examination:
Students are required to pass a three-hour comprehensive examination covering general knowledge in theatre history, criticism, and production. The exam may not be taken until the completionof 21 credits. The comprehensive exam may be repeated if failed, but may be taken no more than three times.
Master's Essay
Students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship may request permission of the graduate committee to submit a master’s essay to be written in conjunction with THC 79900 - Master’s Essay in lieu of three credits of course work.
FALL 2022
MA COURSES
Click here for course descriptions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Graduates of our Masters in Theatre Program will be able to:
- Demonstrate a general command of the major events and movement in the theatre
- Demonstrate a general command of theories of the theatre
- Will have facility in critical analysis of plays and performance
- Demonstrate proficiency in theatre research method