Helpful Hints & FAQs for Prospective Graduate Students

Will you send an application?
Where do I download specific forms?
What are the 2012-2013 admission deadlines?
Is the GRE required?
How soon should I take the GRE if it is required for my application?
Do I have to take the TOEFL? (international students only)
Would I be able to come into the graduate program in one area and later transfer to another area?
May I fax or e-mail some of my application materials to the Department?
How do I decide which persons to ask for references?
Is there a separate scholarship application that I must complete?
May I attend classes during the summers and finish early?
What classes will I take? Will my old classes transfer?
What size cohort will you admit in Fall 2013?
What production opportunities do M.F.A. students have?
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?
Do students get office space?
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?
Are Grad students able to participate in other classes outside of their area?
Should I schedule an interview?
I'm interested in the M.F.A. in Acting. Should I apply before my audition?
I'd like to schedule a private audition/interview at U/RTA. Is that possible?

for specific majors...

Who can help me with all of the above and more?

Will you send an application?

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.

Where do I download specific forms?

At the UT admissions page.

What are the 2012-2013 admission deadlines? (for applicants wishing to attend UT in Fall 2013)

Admission deadlines will be available in late September 2012

The Acting Area is currently not accepting applications. Information about the next admissions cycle will be posted when available.

Is the GRE required?

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 and Communities
Playwriting
Directing

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

Acting
Dance
Design and Technology (Costume Design, Costume Technology, Lighting Design, Scene Design, and Integrated Media)

How soon should I take the GRE if it is required for my application?

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.

Do I have to take the TOEFL? (international students only)

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.

Would I be able to come into the graduate program in one area and later transfer to another area?

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.

May I fax or e-mail some of my application materials to the Department?

No, All application materials (with the exception of certain portfolio materials) must be uploaded on designated application sites.

How do I decide which persons to ask for references?

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.

Is there a separate scholarship application that I must complete?

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.

May I attend classes during the summers and finish early?

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.

What classes will I take? Will my old classes transfer?

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.

What size cohort will you admit in Fall 2013?

That has not been determined yet.

What production opportunities do M.F.A. students have?

All M.F.A. students have several opportunities to participate in mainstage productions. Obviously, opportunities vary by concentration.

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?

Students should have the chance to TA and even teach their own classes, assuming they are qualified.

Do students get office space?

Short answer: yes, if you are teaching a class for us. Long answer: we have to re-evaluate space needs every semester.

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?

These issues are addressed with the faculty when you arrive.

Are Grad students able to participate in other classes outside of their area?

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.

Should I schedule an interview?

Please contact the area head from your desired area of focus.

I'm interested in the M.F.A. in Acting. Should I apply before my audition?

The M.F.A. Acting program is currently on hiatus, and for the foreseeable future we will not be auditioning actors or accepting applications.

I'd like to schedule a private audition/interview at U/RTA. Is that possible?

Our faculty follows all U/RTA guidelines.

for specific majors...

Directing

When will you take Directing applicants again?

Fall 2012. Visit this web page for more information.

Playwriting

What length of play must I submit for the Playwriting Area?

Submit two writing samples (complete plays) best representative of your work. At least one must be a “full length” play; one may be a “short play” if you’d like.

What is the difference between the UT Austin Theatre Playwriting M.F.A. and the Creative Writing M.F.A.?

Creative Writing is an interdisciplinary program with ties to English, Radio-Television-Film, and Theatre.

Design/Tech (all fields)

Should I schedule an interview / portfolio review?

Absolutely.

for the Department of Theatre and Dance...

UT is a big place. Is there a way I can better connect with the theatre and dance community?

Yes! The Department of Theatre and Dance is close-knit community of students and faculty dedicated to exploring the performing arts. Here, you can collaborate with your peers through the Fine Arts Council and Hook ‘Em Arts. And, connect with Theatre and Dance by become of fan on Facebook and following us on Twitter and Tumblr!

How do I get there?

See our Maps and Directions.

Who can help me all of the above and more?

For further information on our graduate program, contact

Pamela Christian, Graduate Studies
The University of Texas at Austin
Department of Theatre and Dance
1 University Station D3900
Austin, TX 78712
email: pc@austin.utexas.edu
BE sure to include your phone number with all inquiries.