Online-Hybrid Master of Arts in Theatre

Website: https://twu.edu/theatre/graduate-programs/

The TWU Master of Arts in Theatre online-hybrid option is designed for Texas residents who are unable to attend traditional face-to-face courses while they earn college credit towards their Master of Arts in Theatre degree.

At least 51% of the total institutional degree is offered by distance learning methods. Some courses are presented in traditional, face-to-face sessions. Other courses combine face-to-face class meetings with regular online communication. Still, other courses are completely online while some are administered through independent study with a Theatre Program faculty member. Courses offered as hybrid classes will require 3-6 campus meetings per class.

Classes are offered in the Redbud Theater Complex in Hubbard Hall on the TWU Denton campus and online. The TWU Master of Arts degree plan requires 36 semester credit hours for successful completion.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

  1. Think critically and creatively which include the ability to design, develop, and/or create new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or projects including artistic contributions.
  2. Communicate effectively: this includes the ability to disseminate new ideas and procedures through electronic means, face-to-face methods, and public performances.
  3. Monitoring and organizing processes, materials, and surroundings: this includes the ability to review information relevant to a goal and to develop prioritized steps to achieve these goals.
 

Admissions

All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.

This academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours Required

36 semester credit hours (SCH).

Required Courses
THEA 5433Contemporary Theatre (offered online)3
THEA 5473Dramatic Criticism and Play Analysis (offered online)3
THEA 5483Theatre History I (offered online)3
THEA 5493Theatre History II (offered online)3
THEA 5521Theatre in Performance (take 4 times)4
THEA 5913Independent Study (Project I offered online)3
THEA 5973Professional Paper3
Electives
Select 14 SCH from the following after approval from advisor14
Problems in Production (Advanced Directing)
Problems in Production (Characterization)
Styles of Acting
Theatre Management (offered as an online-hybrid)
Advanced Theatrical Design (Costumes)
Advanced Theatrical Design (Lighting)
Advanced Theatrical Design (Make-Up)
Advanced Theatrical Design (Scenery)
Speech for the Stage
Playwriting (Hybrid Course)
Special Topics (Sound for the Theatre)
Special Topics (Stage Management)
Special Topics (History of Costume, offered online)
Special Topics (History of Musical Theatre)
Special Topics (Introduction to Film, offered online)
Total SCHs36

Special Requirements

  1. Students are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in all courses applied to the graduate degree. A grade of C or below in any theatre course will not count toward the Master of Arts degree.
  2. No student may begin project work without prior approval of the student’s Graduate Committee. Students with limited experience in theatre may be asked to take some undergraduate courses as prerequisites for graduate courses.
  3. All M.A. candidates will complete a professional paper of no less than 45 pages in length. The paper will emerge from the culminating project created by the student in conjunction with his or her adviser and professional paper committee.

Final Examination

An oral final examination by the student's Graduate Committee serves as the culmination of the creative project and professional paper. The assessment results in one of the following: 1) approval, 2) disapproval, or 3) revision. If either the project or paper is not approved, the student’s Graduate Committee may advise one of the following:

  • Completion of an additional project in the same focus area.
  • A switch in focus areas and completion of a new qualifying and final project.
  • Additional course work before any further project work is attempted. A student may attempt Project I or Project II no more than two times each with special permission from the theatre faculty.