Master of Arts degrees are offered in Theater History and Criticism and in Theater General.
The M.A. degree in theater history and criticism is a one-year program requiring 45 credit hours and a minimum of three quarters of residency. You may elect to either write a thesis or take a comprehensive examination on all coursework. If you wish to pursue the thesis program in place of the comprehensive examination program, an additional quarter of residency is expected. In exceptional cases, a quarter of internship with a professional theater as a dramaturg or literary advisor may substitute for the comprehensive examination or thesis.
Requirements include Introduction to Graduate Studies, four hours of Practicum, at least four hours from both the theater history area and the dramatic criticism area, and no more than 12 hours of electives.
Admission is based on a 3.0 grade-point average in undergraduate work and three letters of recommendation.
Sample Program
Introduction to Graduate Studies
Theater History Sequence: Greek Theater and Drama, Roman and Medieval Theater, Renaissance Theater and Drama, Restoration and 18th Century Theater, Baroque European Theater, 19th Century European Theater, Contemporary Theater, American Theater and Drama.
Dramatic Criticism Series: Dramatic Criticism I and II, Seminar in Theater History, Seminar in Dramatic Criticism.
Practical Work: two practicum assignments in production work, e.g., acting, technical production, or public relations crew work.
Electives: classes in directing, theatrical design, dance, music, literature, languages, etc., with advice and consent of your advisor.
Thesis/Comprehensive Exam/Internship
The Theater General degree is intended for exceptional students with demonstrated ability and intellectual maturity who wish to design their own program to satisfy particular academic and/or career goals. This degree program allows you to study in two or three areas within the School of Theater. If you wish to pursue arts administration or stage management, for example, you may find this degree particularly useful. Various options are available. (NOTE: If you have additional interests outside the School of Theater, please see Individual Interdisciplinary Programs of Study in this catalog.)
You may receive an M.A. or an M.F.A. upon completion of study.
Program Requirements
M.A. in Theater General
Requires a minimum of 45 credit hours. If two areas of emphasis are
chosen, then each area must include a minimum of 20 credit hours with
the appropriate number of elective hours. If three areas of emphasis
are chosen, then each area must include a minimum of 15 credit hours.
M.F.A. in Theater General
Requires a minimum of 90 hours with the possibility of 135 hours for
a three-year program. If two areas of emphasis are chosen, then each
area must include a minimum of 30 credit hours with the appropriate
number of elective hours. If three areas of emphasis are chosen, then
each area must include a minimum of 20 credit hours with the
appropriate number of elective hours.
Both M.A. and M.F.A. Theater General
Both degrees require the completion of a final project that may be
chosen from these options: (a) written thesis, (b) comprehensive
examination, or (c) performance project.
Because of the independent nature of the program, you must work very closely with your advisor at each stage of the program. This unique advisor-advisee relationship encourages inquiry, originality, and determination in the pursuit of the degree.
You must apply initially with an earned 3.0 g.p.a. in an appropriate undergraduate degree. In addition to the usual application materials, you must submit a plan of study and a statement of goals describing your intent and rationale for pursuing the degree. A visit and interview are strongly encouraged, though not mandatory. You must have achieved a minimum g.p.a. of 3.3 during the first quarter of residency and have an approved plan of study before the end of the second quarter of residency.
The initial advisor for the degree is the Director of Graduate Studies; another advisor may be chosen or assigned at a later date.
University Publications and the Computer Services Center revised this file (http://www.ohiou.edu/~gcat/95-97/areas/theater/ma.html) April 13, 1998.
Please e-mail comments or suggestions to "gcat@www.ohiou.edu."