Texas Tech University
TTU theatre students performing man & woman in period costumes

department of interdisciplinary arts
Ph.D. in Fine Arts
Theatre Arts Track

Ph.D. in Fine Arts Theatre Arts Track

The Talkington College of Visual and Performing Arts offers a unique and innovative Ph.D. experience known as the Fine Arts Doctoral Program (FADP). 

The School of Theatre & Dance participates with the faculties in art, music, and philosophy in an interdisciplinary program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Fine Arts. In the  FADP, students engage a core curriculum of 15 hours that emphasizes interdisciplinarity among the arts. Work within the disciplinary track of theatre involves individualized curriculum and required coursework that allows the candidate to pursue a professional goal relating to personal interests and competencies. The program requires 60 hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree, distributed among Fine Arts core courses, Theatre Arts courses, and dissertation hours.

Doctoral students whose disciplinary track is Theatre Arts can choose two of the following concentrations to best pursue their scholarly and career goals: acting/directing, arts administration, design, history/theory/criticism, playwriting. Work toward the degree is both scholarly and practical, includes a rigorous comprehensive examination, and culminates in a dissertation that allows a choice of several avenues of research created through traditional research, professional problems, or an internship.

What Sets Us Apart

The Ph.D. in Fine Arts Theatre Arts Track degree is a unique program that facilitates the integration of arts practice into traditional scholarly training. Students work not only with Theatre and Dance faculty but faculty within The Talkington College of Visual and Performing Arts. The FADP program allows students to hone their skills, embrace new ideas, and move into their careers with highly valued interdisciplinary expertise. 

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Two Concentrations

Two concentrations provide integration of scholarship and praxis

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Interdisciplinary Approach

Interdisciplinary approach ensures in-depth exploration across the arts

Program Highlights

Special programs encourage students to expand their education beyond the classroom and develop a national profile.

 

Facilities & Technology

Theatre & Dance classroom & studio space

Creative Movement Studio

Creative Movement Studio Information

Maedgen Theatre

Maedgen Theatre

Maedgen Theatre Information

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The CH Foundation/The Legacy of Christine DeVitt Black Box Theatre

Black Box Theatre Information

Admissions

HOW TO APPLY

  • For acceptance into the doctoral program, the applicant must have completed a Master's-level degree, or its equivalent, with experience and training in some area of the arts (whether or not directly connected with the Master’s degree), and demonstrate strong scholarship and professional competence.    
     
    Fine Arts PhD Applications are completed in the Texas Tech Graduate School Application Portal. In that portal, you will be asked to provide the following:
    • Transcripts from all previous college-level study
    • 3 letters of recommendation
    • CV/Resume
    • Scholarly writing sample: 10-30 pages of your best research or academic writing
    • A portfolio and/or GRE scores (varies by track).
    • Cover letter/Personal Statement
    • Possible supplemental questions (varies by Track)
      • What does the admissions committee need to know while considering your application? Tell us the part of your story that is not in the application documents.
      • Which advisor are you hoping to work with and why?
      • Briefly describe the aspects of your background relevant to your interest in applying to this program. This might include your undergraduate studies and any other graduate study or relevant professional work, if applicable.
      • The Fine Arts Doctoral Program offers a unique interdisciplinary education in Art, Music, Theatre, and Philosophy; and provides a comprehensive approach to doctoral study of the arts. These final questions are of high importance to the FADP admissions committee: 
        • Explain why this program interests you.
        • Describe your interest in the interdisciplinary core of our doctoral program.
        • Is there something in your background that demonstrates your interest or expertise in a) multiple art forms, b) the relationship between the arts and the humanities, AND/OR c) the relationship between the arts and the sciences? If so, what is it?
  • Finally, an interview with the graduate faculty overseeing the desired FADP Concentration, either in person or via video conference, is typical and required in some Tracks. 

To schedule an interview, please email Abigail Wright, Graduate Admissions Coordinator.

Tuition Estimator

Curriculum

 

Online Catalog Information

Alumni Success & Careers

Career Possibilities

Recent Fine Arts Doctoral Program (FADP) graduates with a theatre focus have tenure-track positions at R1 Universities and Hispanic-Serving institutions and have even advanced to serving as School Directors. FADP graduates are actively creating original scholarship, boundary-pushing art works and innovative pedagogy in theatre history, Arts Administration and other areas. Graduates also excel in industry positions due to their well-rounded skills. 

Questions

Department of Interdisciplinary Arts

  • Address

    School of Theatre & Dance Building | Box 45060 | 2812 18th Street STE 222 | Lubbock TX 79409
  • Phone

    806.742.0700