Theatre MFA, Themed Experience

The Master of Fine Arts in Theatre offers a Themed Experience Track designed to teach the unique creative skills, processes and concepts utilized to design and produce themed environments such as theme parks, zoos, aquariums, themed retail, dining, museums, virtual worlds and exhibitions. This program will build upon the strength and diversity of UCF's Theatre, Art, Design and Hospitality programs as well as the ideal location in Orlando, the international hub of the themed entertainment industry.

The Master of Fine Arts in Themed Experience track program offers a rigorous course of study of 61 credit hours minimum, culminating in a collaborative creative project and thesis as well as an industry or academic internship. Of the 61 credit hours required for the degree, 32 credit hours are required and core courses of which up to 12 credit hours are electives. There is a 6 credit hour thesis project and up to 11 hours of industry internship credits.

Total Credit Hours Required: 61 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Track Prerequisites

General Entrance and Area Specific Prerequisites -Students applying for entrance into the MFA Programs must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree program from an accredited institution which UCF recognizes. Concentration or experience in the visual, written, or performing arts is preferred.

Degree Requirements

Core

• Complete the following:
  • THE5910 - Research Methods in Theatre (3)
  • TPA6437 - Careers in Themed Experience (3)

Themed Experience Concentration

• Complete the following:
  • THE5288 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor I (3)
  • THE5289 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor II (3)
  • TPA6187 - Themed Experience Seminar (3)
  • TPA5085C - Design Seminar for Theatre (2)
  • TPA6158 - Small Project Studio (3)
  • TPA6186 - Immersive Experience Studio (3)
  • TPA6188 - Visualizing Themed Environments (3)
  • TPA6921 - Collaborative Project Studio (4)
  • TPP5248C - Storytelling as a Theatrical Art Form (2)

Elective Courses

• Earn at least 12 credits from the following types of courses: Choose 2 College of Arts and Humanities electives and 2 Rosen College of Hospitality electives: HMG Themed Entertainment Graduate courses (6 credit hours total) CAH Graduate level courses (6 credit hours total) Any other graduate-level courses may be permitted with school approval.

Internship/Elective

Preferred Minimum
• Complete all of the following
  • Earn at least 11 credits from the following:
    • THE6948 - Professional Internship (4)
    • THE6946 - Internship (1 - 99)
    • TPP6946 - Internship (1 - 99)
  • Students may substitute graduate elective credit hours for internship credit hours with permission of the program director.

Thesis

• Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
  • THE6971 - Thesis (1 - 99)

Critique and Evaluation

• A final critique and evaluation of creative work is administered to all MFA majors at the end of their course work. The department allows two attempts at the final critique and evaluation.

Independent Learning

• The Independent Learning Requirement is met by successful completion of a master's thesis.

Grand Total Credits: 61

Application Requirements

Financial Information

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to understand the conceptual basis of the themed experience and to be able to articulate that understanding to others.

Students must maintain a minimum "B" (3.00) overall Theatre GPA to continue in the major. All graduate course work must be at the 5000 level or above with at least 50% of the coursework at the 6000 level or above. Theatre courses with grades of less than "C" will not be counted toward degree requirements. Continuation in the MFA program requires a positive annual evaluation. All graduate students must consult with an area adviser. All MFA students must successfully complete a creative thesis project. The thesis project must be approved in advance.

Suggested Course Schedule
Year 1

Fall: 11 Credit Hours

• THE 5288 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor I 3 Credit Hours
• THE 5910 - Research Methods in Theatre 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 5085C - Design Seminar for Theatre 2 Credit Hours
• TPA 6187 - Themed Experience Seminar 3 Credit Hours

Spring: 9 Credit Hours

• THE 5289 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor II 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6158 - Small Project Studio 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6188 - Visualizing Themed Environments 3 Credit Hours

Year 2

Fall: 11 Credit Hours

• TPP 5248C - Storytelling as a Theatrical Art Form 2 Credit Hours
• TPA 6186 - Immersive Experience Studio 3 Credit Hours
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours

Spring: 10 Credit Hours

• TPA 6437 - Careers in Themed Experience 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6921 - Collaborative Project Studio 4 Credit Hours
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours

Year 3

Fall: 9 Credit Hours

• THE 6971 - Thesis 3 Credit Hours
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours
• Internship or Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours

Spring: 11 Credit Hours

• THE 6971 - Thesis 3 Credit Hours
• Internship or Graduate Electives 8 Credit Hours