Theatre at Michigan State University

Programme overview

Theatre is offered as a Bachelor of Arts, for students wanting experience in all areas of theatre and the broader cultural sector, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting and design, for those preparing for a professional theatre career.

Faculty: College of Arts and Letters | Department: Theatre | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

The major aims to sustain interest in theatre as a source of truth and insight into the human condition, with separate BA and BFA course tracks.

Career pathways

Alumni work as actors, stage managers, production assistants, casting assistants, special event coordinators, fundraising directors and arts education program managers, at employers such as Walt Disney, Michigan Shakespeare Festival and Stanford University.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applies to the college/university, not the programme specifically: The bachelor of arts in theatre is designed for students who want to gain experience in all areas of theatre and the broader cultural sector. The bachelor of fine arts in theatre (acting and design) is designed for students who would like to prepare for a professional career in theatre — admission is by audition and portfolio review.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Most first-year students enter in the fall semester. Admission to other semesters may be limited or not available at all.

Transfer applicants can apply for fall (August start), spring (January start) and summer (May start) semesters. International transfer students are not eligible for summer admission.

First-year early action deadline is Nov. 1 (non-binding), with an admission decision by Jan. 15 and the acceptance fee due by May 1. Regular admission has a Feb. 1 priority deadline (decision by Mar. 31) and a final application deadline of Apr. 1, with rolling decisions after Feb. 1. MSU is test optional: applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

The first-year application fee is $75 (or an application fee waiver if eligible). First-year applicants can apply through the MSU application or the Coalition application with Scoir. The application for fall 2027 opens in August.

International first-year applicants have the same deadlines: early action Nov. 1, priority Feb. 1, final Apr. 1, acceptance fee by May 1.

Transfer application deadlines: fall April 1, spring open until capacity is reached, summer March 1. International transfer applicants for fall have a March 1 deadline and must pay the acceptance fee by April 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/first-year

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