Texas Tech University
TTU Dance faculty & Students discussing around a table

School of Theatre & Dance
M.F.A. in Theatre Arts
Arts Administration

Arts Administration Track

The Arts Administration track trains leaders and advocates in the field of theatre management/arts administration and includes a state-of-the-art curriculum blending theory and practice, along with opportunities to learn about the current trends in the field and from the experience of arts leaders. We are unique, however, in that we encourage students to cross boundaries and engage in activities such as acting, stage-managing, directing, or dramaturgy.

What Sets Us Apart

Students participate in the marketing and promotion of the School's productions. Box office management, front-of-house supervision, producing the new works festival, and membership in the School's marketing team are just some examples of the hands-on experiences available to arts administration students.

The program includes a unique, multi-internship model. Recent placements include: Theatre Communication Group, Lincoln Center, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Shakespeare Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, The Getty Museum, The Tennessee Williams Institute, The Eugene O'Neill, The Kennedy Center, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Texans for the Arts. 

Program Highlights

The program is individualized to the student's talents and interests. Besides a range of industry-relevant coursework, internships and practicums complete the M.F.A experience. The School of Theatre and Dance is dedicated equally to scholarship and theatrical production. M.F.A. students complete a thesis project which may be based on traditional research, internships, professional or community problems.

Admissions

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MFA Theatre Arts

Apply through the Texas Tech Graduate School Application Portal

  • Provide transcripts from all previous college-level study
  • Provide all required supplemental items:
    • 3 letters of recommendation, preferably from sources in theatre or dance
    • CV/Resume
    • Payment of required application fee
    • Scholarly writing sample (minimum of 750 words), preferably on a theatre or dance topic
  • Statement of Purpose
    • Elaborate on your academic, artistic, and/or professional interests and goals specific to the program of study you wish to pursue
    • Briefly describe the aspects of your background relevant to your interest. This could include your undergraduate studies, previous graduate study, and/or professional work.

Optional

  • Sample of Artistic Work: Please provide material(s) or further information related to projects you have created or developed in an administrative role. Upon review of application, applicant may be asked to attend a live interview with faculty. 

Degree Plan

Tuition Estimator

Curriculum

Courses

Required Courses - 48 hours

Required MFA Courses, All Specializations – 9 hours

  • TH A 5307 Performance Lab I
  • TH A 5323 Collaboration for Theatre and the Entertainment Industries
  • TH A 5351 Arts in the Community

Required Courses in Theatre – 15 hours

  • TH A 5308 Performance Lab II
  • TH A 5312 Theatre Management
  • TH A 5320 Theatre Planning
  • TH A 5335 Topics in Design (Arts Admin Graphics)
  • or TH A 5311 Advanced Directing
  • TH A 5350 Seminar in Theatre Research Methods Arts

Required Courses in Arts Administration – 24 hours

  • TH A 5316 Marketing the Arts
  • TH A 5317 Funding the Arts
  • TH A 5318 Advocacy for the Arts
  • IVPA 5300 Special Topics in Arts Administration
  • TH A 6001 Internship (6 hours) and THA 6001 Internship (3 hours)
  • or TH A 6001 Internship (9 hours)
  • TH A 7000 Research (Thesis Project)

Electives – an additional 12 hours as approved by the student’s program advisor. See Course Catalog for 
a list of offerings. An Elective path may be chosen to fulfill a TTU Certificate Program:

Related certificate or graduate minor programs, such as the 9-hour Graduate Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurism or
Graduate Minor in Business

+ Courses inside or outside of Theatre Arts may be taken as approved by the Head of Arts Administration

Online Catalog Information

Alumni Success & Careers

Career Possibilities

Graduates of the Arts Administration program serve in leadership roles with arts organizations around the country.

Questions About the Arts Administration Track