MA in Theatre Studies in Urbana United States | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Theatre Studies Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides both graduate and undergraduate degree options (BFA, MA, PhD) focused on theater as a liberal arts discipline. We concentrate on theater history and the evolution of dramatic criticism across different eras and cultures, with special attention to American theater. Our PhD program ranks among the nation's most prestigious and longstanding, having cultivated many prominent scholars, writers, educators, and arts administrators. Originally founded by Barnard Hewitt as a Theatre History and Criticism program, our interdisciplinary Theatre Studies initiative fosters innovative research and develops pioneering leaders in theatrical scholarship. Iago's Plot RainThe MA in Theatre Studies is an intensive academic program that cultivates research abilities, critical thinking, and professional competencies for aspiring theater educators, scholars, and practitioners. This interdisciplinary program highlights the analytical examination of theater history and performance, offering hands-on experience through dramaturgy, directing, and artistic creation.Students can complete the MA in Theatre Studies in one year across three semesters. The curriculum requires 32 credit hours of theater and related coursework, including 12 credits at the 500-level or above. The program mandates two semesters of residency and may include internships for students pursuing professional pathways.