Graduate Catalog 2003-2004
Theatre
| Graduate Faculty |
The Department of Theatre offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, and Doctor of Philosophy. The goal of the graduate programs in theatre is to enhance the knowledge, research and writing skills, and artistic ability of students to enable them to function effectively as scholars, teachers, and artists. Academic studies, research, and production experiences are designed to meet the individual needs and interests of students.
The M.A. program is designed to relate basic ideas in theatre history, theory, and criticism to creative production in an effort to prepare students for futures in education, professional study, or further graduate study. The M.A.T. degree is for individuals planning to continue a teaching career, principally in the K-12 setting. The doctoral program is for those students planning careers as faculty members in higher education. The Ph.D. program focuses on developing students' abilities to do teaching, research, and writing in an area of specialization.
Prerequisites to Graduate Work
Applicants to the M.A. program must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and present a satisfactory academic record. Admission usually requires 36 quarter hours or 24 semester hours of undergraduate work in theatre, including courses in acting, directing, technical theatre, and dramatic literature. Applicants with undergraduate majors in fields other than theatre will be considered for admission on an individual basis and may be required to take specified remedial undergraduate course work.
Applicants to the M.A.T. program must have at least one year of teaching experience and hold a valid teaching certificate. M.A.T. students are required to take 36 semester hours of course work of which 24 hours must be in theatre and 12 hours must be in education.
Applicants to the Ph.D. program must hold a master's degree and present a record indicating potential for successful, advanced scholarly and creative work. Applicants are expected to have completed M.A. courses in research methodologies, theatre history, theatrical production, theory and criticism, and dramatic literature. The graduate selection committee will review the records of all incoming doctoral students in accordance with their declared interests and, if necessary, the doctoral applicant may be required to take specified remedial master's level course work.
Admission Procedure
Applicants seeking admission to the graduate programs in theatre should follow the instructions outlined in the "Graduate Admission" section of this catalog. In addition, applicants must submit a resume outline educational and professional experiences and a sample of research writing.
Degree Requirements
Master of Arts
The M.A. degree in theatre is offered under two plans.
Plan I: Candidates must complete 32 semester hours of graduate credit and write a thesis demonstrating an ability to carry on research or independent creative activity. Students must pass an oral examination over the thesis.
Plan II: Candidates must complete a minimum of 32 semester hours of graduate credit and prepare and defend a portfolio of creative/research/pedagogical materials.
Master of Arts in Teaching
The M.A.T. in Theatre requires students to complete 36 semester hours of course work of which 24 hours must be in theatre and 12 hours must be in education. The purpose of the course sequence in theatre is to connect theatrical practice and pedagogical study. Materials generated through these classes should be revised for inclusion in the required M.A.T. portfolio. During the final semester before graduation, the completed M.A.T. portfolio will be submitted to the theatre graduate faculty for review. This portfolio review session and oral defense serve as the final comprehensive exam for this degree.
Doctor of Philosophy
Students must complete 64 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the master's degree, which includes dissertation credit. Students must also fulfill a research tool requirement (totaling nine semester hours, in other departments). The student must demonstrate that the courses taken to fulfill the research tool requirement are essential preparation for the research and writing of the dissertation. Semester hours earned by fulfilling the research tool requirement do not count towards the required 64 semester hours of post-master's graduate credit.
The doctorate is granted after candidates pass an oral defense of the dissertation. The dissertation must be an appropriate culmination of the candidate's program of study, and represent scholarly research and writing appropriate in method and subject to the degree program. Details of requirements in addition to the dissertation are found in the department’s Ph.D. Handbook.
Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in pedagogy, research, and theatre production through formal course work and practica. Whenever appropriate, students are encouraged to participate in professional conventions and/or publish their research findings.
Graduate Courses
Please access graduate courses online at http://webapps.bgsu.edu/courses/search.php. Graduate courses offered by the Department of Theatre use the prefix: THEA.
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