PhD Theatre (Theatre and Performance of the Americas) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

You examine the canon of theatre from diverse critical perspectives through coursework, seminars, research and study opportunities in the Doctor of Philosophy program in theatre with a concentration in theatre and performance of the Americas. You are encouraged to think beyond geographical and disciplinary borders, developing the skills required to challenge traditional narratives and expand the boundaries of theatre studies.

Faculty: Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts | Department: School of Music, Dance and Theatre | Duration: 90 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Tempe, AZ, United States

What you will study

90 credit hours, a foreign language exam, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (24 credit hours) Electives (42 credit hours) Research (12 credit hours) THE 792 Research (12) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) THE 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree.

Career pathways

Many graduates of the doctoral degree in theatre and performance of the Americas go on to teaching and research positions in higher education, while some have chosen careers in arts and culture organizations where their expertise in curation and dramaturgical framing of artistic work finds expression. Career examples: education director or program manager, tenure-track faculty member, visiting faculty member.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a master's degree in a relevant area from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts School of Music, Dance and Theatre Application , including curriculum vitae, sample of scholarly writing and a statement of purpose three letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with the student's work proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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