Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Theatre Arts - Interpretation and Performance Studies [M.A.]


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The Interpretation/Performance Studies program is grounded in the creative and scholarly examination of the performing act. We believe that performance, whether based on broad culture, aesthetics, or everyday life, is the creative and expressive basis for understanding human action and interaction. Our mission is to provide courses and co-curricular activities that will engage students in a comprehensive, meaningful, and rich process of applied creative/scholarly explorations of performers, performance, texts, and contexts. This concentration is for individuals approaching the I/PS discipline from a theatre-based perspective using a broad notion of performance that includes traditional aesthetic and more nontraditional texts.

Program Admission


Graduate School Application

After reviewing the admission requirements below, please select the appropriate application. The University is transitioning application platforms; pay close attention when selecting the application below.

The program you are applying to may not accept applicants every semester.

For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution. In addition, a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program, is required for full admission. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. See International Admissions for international applicant requirements.

Applicants must also meet the following program requirements:

  • Have a major or minor or the equivalent in communication, theatre arts, or drama/theatre for the young
  • Submit a personal statement

School Information


Communication, Media & Theatre Arts | Dennis O’Grady, Ph.D., Director | 121 Judy Sturgis Hill, 734.487.6956, dpatrick1@emich.edu

Advisor Information


Anita Rich, Ph.D., Professor, 714G Pray-Harrold, 734.487.0797, arich@emich.edu

Lee Stille, Ph.D., Professor, 103D Judy Sturgis Hill, 734.487.6846, lstille@emich.edu

Program Requirements


Students must:

  1. Early in their graduate work, prepare an official program of study in consultation with an assigned graduate advisor and file it with the Graduate School;
  2. Successfully meet all conditions stipulated upon entry into the program; and
  3. Complete, with an overall GPA of at least 3.0, a minimum of 30 hours of approved coursework as identified in the official Program of Study.

Degree Requirements: 30 hours


All Master of Arts in Theatre Arts programs require the completion of 30 hours of coursework to be distributed among required courses and elective courses as follows:

Required Core Courses: 7-9 hours


Elective Courses: 9-11 hours


Additional courses selected in consultation with an academic advisor based upon the student’s individual needs.

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