BA Theater at University of California, Santa Barbara

Programme overview

As a student in the Bachelor of Arts program in Theater, you'll choose a concentration in one of the following areas: design, directing, playwriting, theater and performance studies, or theater and community. An undergraduate major in theater may lead to specialized creative work in the profession, to graduate work in preparation for teaching and research, or to other careers within or beyond the arts and entertainment industry.

Faculty: College of Letters and Science | Department: Department of Theater and Dance | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Barbara, CA, United States

What you will study

Major requirements are organised as Preparation For The Major: THTR 1, THTR 2A, THTR 2B, THTR 2C, THTR 2D, THTR 5, THTR 19, THTR 7, THTR 9, THTR 22, THTR 23, THTR 25, THTR 40, THTR 29D; Upper-Division Major. Advisory Note: Students should declare their major, degree (BA or BFA) and concentration by winter quarter of junior year. Emphases offered: Theater Design.

Career pathways

Graduate and professional pathways include Education; Regional Theater Companies; Entertainment Industry.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to UCSB is to the university and a college (College of Letters and Science, College of Engineering, College of Creative Studies), not to the individual major; applicants must meet the University of California subject requirements for first-year or transfer applicants and apply through the UC Application. Selective-major and second-choice-major rules are described by UCSB Undergraduate Admissions.

Entry term: fall. First-year and transfer applicants apply for fall 2027 through the UC Application.

First-year and transfer applications for fall 2027: UC Application filing period October 1 - November 30, 2026 (opens August 1). Application fee: $80 per campus for U.S. residents, $95 per campus for international students. Transfer applicants also submit the UCSB TAG Application September 1-30. First-year decisions mid-March; transfer decisions mid-April; Statement of Intent to Register May 1 (first-year) and June 1 (transfer).

SAT and ACT scores are not used in admission selection or scholarships; submission is optional and may be used for course placement. Students applying to College of Creative Studies majors submit a supplemental application; Dance and Music B.M. applicants complete an audition.

Graduate applicants apply through the UCSB online graduate application; the deadline is set by each department. Application fee: $135 for US citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all others, payable by credit card, check or money order. GRE required only by some programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/

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