MA Theater Arts at University of California, Santa Cruz

Entry requirements

UC Santa Cruz graduate admission: bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited university awarded before the entry quarter, a B average or better in the last two years of undergraduate coursework, and demonstrated English proficiency. Applicants whose first language is not English: TOEFL iBT minimum 83 (4.0 on the 2026 scale) or IELTS Academic overall 7; waiver may be requested by applicants with a four-year bachelor's degree from an English-speaking institution. GRE General and Subject tests not required. Transcripts and three letters of recommendation (up to five accepted). Programme materials: resume or CV, statement of purpose outlining the chosen emphasis and capstone thesis, personal history statement, a one-page description of internship research (an approximately 300-hour professional theater internship is completed in the summer before entry, earning 10 units), a work sample in the chosen field (e.g. 10-minute performance video, portfolio of about 20 images, dramaturgy casebook), and a writing sample (8-12 pages of scholarship for performance scholarship applicants). Application deadline: February 1. Application fee $135 domestic, $155 international.