BA Theater Arts at University of California, Santa Cruz

Programme overview

The Theater Arts B.A. combines drama, dance, critical studies, and theater design/technology, extending into games and other areas of play to offer students an intensive program of performance as a unified field. The program stresses the interrelation of all disciplines as essential to the successful practice of the theater arts in the 21st century.

Faculty: Arts Division | Department: Performance, Play & Design | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Cruz, CA, United States

What you will study

Required courses listed in the catalogue include Ancient and Medieval Drama, Drama from the Renaissance to the Modern Age, The Birth of the Modern: Drama and Performance After the Renaissance, Introduction to Theater Design and Technology, Introductory Studies in Acting, Acting Studio I: Psychological Realism.

Career pathways

Graduates of the University of California, Santa Cruz program typically pursue careers in professional theater and dance companies, in film and television, and in teaching at all levels—from university to high school to grade school.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Catalogue preparation guidance for the major (admission to the university is separate): Students who enter UC Santa Cruz as frosh are encouraged, but not required, to begin major coursework in their first year. Although the major is not highly sequential, frosh should meet with the program’s academic advisor by the beginning of their second year to understand degree requirements, non-standard enrollment procedures, and to develop an academic plan for timely graduation.

Domestic applicants: USD 14,202 a year (2026-27). UC undergraduate Tuition for California residents first enrolled in 2026-27 (Tuition Stability Plan cohort rate); one rate for all undergraduate majors. Excludes Student Services Fee, campus fees, UC SHIP health insurance and records fee. Non-residents ad Source

Fall quarter entry (classes for fall 2026 began September 24, 2026); winter quarter entry (winter 2027 instruction begins January 4, 2027).

UC Application for fall 2027 opens October 1, 2026 and the filing deadline is November 30, 2026; the application is available online from August 1, 2026. Fall 2027 first-year decisions appear on the Admissions Portal late February to mid-March 2027; transfer decisions April 1-30, 2027. Transfer Academic Update due January 31, 2027; UCSC TAG filing period September 1-30, 2026.

UC Santa Cruz does not use ACT/SAT scores in its comprehensive review and selection process. Applications are made through the UC Application. Minimum GPA is 3.00 for California residents and 3.40 for non-residents and international applicants.

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