Career Options

Graduate Study

Many graduate schools offer theatre arts as an academic or professional area of study. The Bachelor of Arts in theatre provides the stepping-stone needed to enter a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) program, which may qualify the graduate for teaching in higher education. The M.F.A is recognized in the professional and academic domains of theatre as a terminal degree. Successful theatre arts students may also qualify to enter a doctoral (Ph.D.) program in certain areas of theatre scholarship.

Professional Opportunities

Many professional organizations require a degree in staffing positions such as technical theatre or management. While professional acting opportunities may not always require formal education, the knowledge and experience gained from the B.A. program provides the student with expanded opportunities that should be helpful in securing employment in professional theatre companies.

Other Opportunities

As an inherently interdisciplinary liberal arts program, the theatre arts degree evidences the reading, writing, speaking, and research skills sought by prospective employers and professional schools. Many theatre arts majors are successful in law school, mass communications, public relations, and other fields.