Master of Fine Arts with a specialization in Design (Drama)

Graduates will be expected to be competent in costume, set and lighting design. During the program, all of these skills will be addressed through practical projects.

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 33 units in coursework in the two year program and a minimum of 15 units of coursework in the one year program. Both programs are required to complete a thesis-equivalent consisting of a creative project presented in performance, accompanied by a supporting document.

2 year program

Required Courses (24 units)

Required courses depend on the area of specialization and the undergraduate background of the student

T DES 670 - Advanced Theatre Design II taken in the first year
T DES 770 - Advanced Theatre Design III taken in the second year
T DES 577 - Production Design III taken in the first year
T DES 677 - Production Design IV taken in the second year

Two of

Elective courses (9 units)

Three of: graduate level courses in T DES, or DRAMA, including DRAMA 605 Special Projects
Courses are selected in consultation with the MFA Theatre Design Coordinator.

1 year program

Required Courses (9 units)

Elective Courses (6 units)

Two of: graduate level courses in T DES or DRAMA, including DRAMA 605 Special Projects

Thesis

Registration in 900-level THES. The thesis-equivalent will consist of the design for all three design elements of a production in the Studio Theatre directed by a faculty member, guest or MFA director, and a support document which addresses collaboration, design concept, design process, production process, and outcomes.
For program completion and convocation, there is no requirement to submit the thesis-equivalent to GPS.

Ethics Requirement

All MFA Design students must meet the GPS Ethics and Academic Citizenship Requirement through the completion of INT D 710 by the end of the first term of registration in their degree program.

Residence Requirement

For the MFA Design, the minimum period of residency is one academic year for candidates holding a BFA Theatre Design Degree from the University of Alberta; all other MFA Design candidates require a minimum period of residency of two years.

Length of Program

The maximum time to complete the MFA program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is four years.