MFA Drama at University of California, Irvine

Programme overview

The Department of Drama offers an M.F.A. in Drama, with emphases in Acting, Directing, Design, Music Direction, or Stage Management. Acting The Acting faculty is devoted to the development of working professional actors who possess the skills, insight, intelligence, creativity, and vision to create dramatic performance of today and of the future. UCI has proven itself notably successful in training working professionals with alumni who perform on stages around the country, on and off Broadway, in regional theatres, or in feature films and television series.

Faculty: Claire Trevor School of the Arts | Study mode: full-time | Location: Irvine, CA, United States

What you will study

One of these will be the student’s thesis production in their third year. In addition, the design curriculum includes the study of theatre history, art history, and dramatic literature.

Career pathways

Many graduates of the program hold faculty positions in university theatre. Students in this program will be exceptionally well-suited to a career in the theatre and related entertainment arts.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants for admission to the degree program must meet the general requirements for admission to graduate study and hold a B.A., B.F.A., or higher degree. Applicants must submit dossiers of biographical information and theatrical experience, together with photographs, essays, reviews, production books, and portfolios, as appropriate. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. An audition is typically required for all applicants who intend to enter the Acting program. UCI coordinates its auditions with the University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA), and conducts auditions, both for U/RTA finalists and UCI applicants, in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Irvine during January and February. Other U/RTA audition sites may be considered.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,722 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition (resident rate) from the standard Graduate/Credential Student Fees schedule for state-supported graduate degree programmes; the page does not list programmes by name, so this is the standard graduate band. Tuition line only; excludes Stud Source

Graduate applications are submitted online through the UCI graduate application portal; the non-refundable application fee is $135 for U.S. citizens and lawful U.S. permanent residents and $155 for all other applicants. Deadlines are set by each programme. GRE is required by some programmes only; TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency is required of graduate applicants unless waived.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.uci.edu/admissions/

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