Graduate Program FAQ

Q. Will you send an application?
A. No. The online application is our only way of receiving applications. Your information will be available much sooner electronically and will speed the application process. You need apply only to the University's Graduate School, as there is not a separate application required for the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Q. Where do I download specific forms?
At the UT admissions page.

Q. What are the Fall 2009 deadlines?

Q. Is the GRE required?

A. The GRE is required for application to the following areas:

Performance as Public Practice (M.A., M.F.A. and Ph.D..)
Drama and Theatre for Youth
Playwriting

The GRE is no longer required for application to the following areas:

Acting
Directing
Dance
Theatrical Design and Technology (Costume Design, Costume Technology, Lighting Design,
Scene Design, Technical Direction)

Q. How soon should I take the GRE if it is required for my application?
A. The GRE should be taken as soon as possible. Applications cannot be considered without the GRE scores. Information may be obtained through the GRE Web site.

Q. Do I have to take the TOEFL? (international students only)
A. All international applicants must submit the TOEFL or IELTS with their application. The TOEFL can be waived if the applicant comes from an English-ONLY country, or holds a Bachelor's degree from a US university. Master's degrees cannot waive the TOEFL.

A score of 550 (paper test), 213 (computer-based test), or 79 (internet-based test) on the TOEFL OR an overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination of the Academic Examination of the TOEFL or IELTS is considered the minimum acceptable for admission to the University of Texas at Austin.

Q. Would I be able to come into the graduate program in one area and later transfer to another area?
A. Please consider your concentration carefully. You must have a focus which will make one of our areas appropriate for your work. There is latitude in each student's program of study permitting courses in other areas of interest, but students aren't admitted into the program with the intention of moving to another area.

Q. May I fax or e-mail some of my application materials to the Department?
No, please send all materials in one packet, through U.S. Mail or a postal delivery service, to the Department of Theatre and Dance Graduate Office.

Q. How do I decide which persons to ask for references?
A. The most valuable references will be from persons able to endorse your ability in your field of specialization and estimate your success in a graduate school environment and the profession.

Q. Is there a separate scholarship application that I must complete?
A. There is not a separate financial application form. Your application file provides all of the information necessary. The scholarships are awarded by the Scholarship Committee based on recommendations from the Graduate Studies Executive Committee. All incoming (new) graduate students are placed in consideration for scholarships.

Q. May I attend classes during the summers and finish early?
A. There are limited courses offered in the summers. The majority of our graduate students and some of our faculty leave Austin for summer theatre work. The fall and spring semesters offer all of the required coursework. It is best to enter the program with the commitment for the time recommended: M.F.A. - 3 years, 60 hours; M.A. - 2 years, 30 hours; Ph.D. - 90 hours, at least 4 but no more than 6 years.

Q. What classes will I take? Will my old classes transfer?
A. As an undergraduate, you were probably handed a "cookie cutter" or "one-size-fits-all" degree plan. Those don't really apply at the graduate level. Each plan is customized for the goals, strengths, and weaknesses of the student. If you're admitted, you and your adviser will discuss your educational plans and formulate a degree plan.

In general, the faculty will not discuss specific degree plans before the student has been admitted and accepted our offer. Nor will we discuss transfer possibilities before the student has been admitted and accepted our offer.

Q. What size cohort will you admit in Fall 2009?
A. That has not been determined yet.

Q. What production opportunities do M.F.A. students have?
A. All M.F.A. students have several opportunities to participate in mainstage productions. Obviously, opportunities vary by concentration.

Q. Are students given the opportunity to TA other classes in the Department? If so, is it a once-in-a-while thing, or is the chance to TA fairly frequent?
A. Students should have the chance to TA and even teach their own classes, assuming they are qualified.

Q. Do students get office space?
A: Short answer: yes, if you are teaching a class for us. Long answer: we have to re-evaluate space needs every semester.

Q. What are the overall writing requirements for the various degrees? What courses will I be required to take? What and how many productions will I have to participate in?
A: These issues are addressed with the faculty when you arrive.

Q. Are Grad students able to participate in other classes outside of their area?
A. This is required of all of our students. Not only are you required to take classes outside of your concentration, but you will probably have to take classes outside of Theatre and Dance.

Q. Should I schedule an interview? see below.

for specific majors…

Acting

Q. I'm interested in the M.F.A. in Acting. Should I apply before my audition?
A. No. We require an audition prior to the application.

Q. I'm interested in the M.F.A. in Acting, but I can't attend the U/RTA auditions. When are your onsite auditions and how do I schedule one?
A. Information about M.F.A. in Acting audtions has been posted on this website.

Q. I'd like to schedule a private audition/interview at U/RTA. Is that possible?
A. Our faculty follows all U/RTA guidelines.

Directing

Q. When will you take Directing applicants again?
A. Fall 2009. Visit this web page for more information.

Playwriting

Q. What length of play must I submit for the Playwriting Area?
A. Submit two writing samples (complete plays) best representative of your work. No specific length is required.

Q. What is the difference between the UT Austin Theatre Playwriting M.F.A. and the Creative Writing M.F.A.?
A. Creative Writing is an interdisciplinary program with ties to English, Radio-Television-Film, and Theatre.

Design/Tech (all fields)

Q: Should I schedule an interview / portfolio review?
A: Absolutely.

Q: How do I get there?
A: See our Maps and Directions.

Contact Information

For further information on our graduate program, contact

Phillip Salazar, Graduate Program Coordinator
The University of Texas at Austin
Department of Theatre and Dance
1 University Station D3900
Austin, TX 78712
phone: 512.475.7336
email: salazar@mail.utexas.edu