Admissions: Master of fine arts in Theatre (Design)

Admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Theatre (Design) is based on artistry and scholarship. Placement in the program is determined through a holistic admission process and candidates should have adequate training in theatre. The review consists of:

• A portfolio review
• A review of academic credentials (undergraduate GPA is reviewed for Graduate School 3.0 minimum GPA average, for coursework earned beyond the initial 60 credits; the school also carefully reviews grades earned in all Theatre coursework)
• An academic writing sample
• Three letters of recommendation;
• A personal interview
  
  Writing deficiencies may be addressed with a writing course, which is in addition to the standard MFA curriculum and not covered by the tuition waiver; offers of conditional admission will include specific requirements to address within the first year.

UF faculty review prospective MFA students at the URTA interviews (see below) each year. Only those applicants invited to apply should submit materials. Unsolicited applications will not be successful.

STEP 1: Register for University Resident Theatre Auditions (URTA)

AUDITION AND INTERVIEW DATES:

Online URTA Design & Technology Virtual Interviews: January 20, 2026

Chicago, IL: January 23-24, 2026
Location: Palmer House Hilton

Faculty from the University of Florida meet ALL prospective graduate students at the National Unified Auditions and Interviews of the University Resident Theatre Association (URTA). This annual recruiting event is held each spring and includes an online, virtual option.

• In addition to the candidate registration link, please follow the URTA recommended guidelines in the candidate handbook. Review the FAQs, if you have questions and gain insights for your interview all from this location: Register Online

View the URTA website for information.

If you have additional questions about the URTAs, please email them at theurtas@urta.com.

STEP 2: Apply to the University of Florida

URTA applicants who were officially invited to complete the University of Florida online application complete the following steps. Final admission decisions are confirmed in early March and April, upon receipt and evaluation of all required materials:

The application contains 6 sections:

1. Statement of Purpose – Share your objectives in pursuing a graduate degree, your area of specialization, interest in studying with faculty at the University of Florida and your long-term goals.
    
2. Letters of Recommendation – THREE (3) required letters of recommendation from faculty or professionals who can speak to your ability to be successful in a graduate program. This is completed electronically within the application. You will need your recommenders’ email addresses and plan enough time for them to receive and respond to the University request. More information and directions are provided as you complete the online application.
    
3. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae – Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
    
4. Academic Writing Sample – This is an academic paper (written for a class). *If you are unable to upload your academic writing sample to your online application, save the document as a PDF and email to graduate@arts.ufl.edu.
    
5. GPA – Use the calculator by entering earned grades as they appear on your transcript – grades from your upper-division courses (junior/senior years). Read the directions carefully to complete this section.
    
6. Unofficial Transcripts – For the purpose of initial review upload unofficial, scanned copies of transcripts (not screenshots of grades). Official transcripts are required separately for applicants who receive an offer of admissions.

You may return to your graduate application to view the arrival status of letters of recommendation; transcripts; and, if required, official test scores.

Apply online ($30 non-refundable application fee)  *The office of admissions is unable to provide an application fee waiver.

Kindly email graduate@arts.ufl.edu to let us know you have completed the application. And if you have any questions about the application process!

STEP 3: After Admission

Congratulations: we said yes, you said yes; now we can’t wait for your arrival! Although there is no required deposit for graduate students, we count on your intention to enroll and look forward to providing seamless advising through to graduation.

The items below are required before you can join the Gator Nation, as a registered graduate student:

Proof of Immunizations
The University of Florida requires that all new students show proof of several immunizations prior to attending UF. This site includes the official form, requirements and recommendations.

A University of Florida Identification Number (UFID)
When you submitted your application to UF, you were given your official University of Florida Identification Number (UFID). You will now begin using this number. If you no longer have your UFID, please follow these instructions to obtain your UFID.

A GatorLink Account
Create your GatorLink account now to access a variety of campus computing services, including your UF email (“username@ufl.edu”).

Additional Admissions Information: International Students

• Provide unofficial transcripts and degree certificate/diplomas from every institution listed in the educational history provided on your application.  
• These documents may be unofficial and uploaded in the application or via your Check Status page. 
• Transcripts and degree certificate/diplomas should be scanned copies of the official paper versions issued to you by your previous or current institution. 
• Screen shots of your grades are not accepted. 
• Transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas not issued in English must be accompanied by a certified, literal, line-for-line English translation of the original document. Acceptable certified translations are issued by your institution or a professional translating service.  
• Submitting a credential evaluation for college coursework outside of the U.S. is optional. 

The GRE is not required.

Please see UF Admissions Information for International Students

The University of Florida requires proficiency in spoken and written English which helps ensure that students who speak English as a second language are able to participate fully in university life, both in and out of class. Students from non-English speaking nations, who have not recently studied at least one year at a U.S. college or university, are required to submit satisfactory scores on one of the following assessment exams:

• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): 6.0
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language – Paper-Based): 550
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet-Based): 80
  Successful Teaching Assistants must demonstrate proficiency in English speaking. A 28 or higher score on the Speaking section demonstrates this level. Applicants with Speaking scores between 23-27, though adequate for admission, may be required to complete an extra course before receiving a teaching assignment. The minimum Writing score for a successful graduate student experience is 24.
• UF’s TOEFL school code is 5812

Exemptions are granted if applicants:

• Have successfully completed one academic year in a degree-seeking program at a recognized/regionally accredited university or college in the United State or a country where English is the official language.
• Hold an earned equivalent of associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree from a recognized/regionally accredited college or university in the United States or country where English is the official language.

The list of countries exempt from English proficiency can be found here.

English Assistance
UF international graduate students may be required to take courses if the UF Graduate School or the department you are majoring in does not feel your skills are strong enough for competitive performance in the classroom or research arena. Academic Writing and International Teaching Assistant Support (SPEAK & EAP 5836) courses are offered through the English Language Institute (ELI). Please consult their website for more information.

The UF English Language Institute (ELI) also offers non-degree-credit intensive programs for non-US students and professionals who want to improve their ability to speak, read and write English and become more familiar with American life and culture, so they can become more comfortable and successful in real-life settings in education and business. It provides housing assistance, academic advisement and other services.

Additional Links:

UF Admissions Information for International Students

UF International Student Services

Overview of the I-20 process

Assistantships

Assistantships are salaried positions that require a work commitment averaging 20 hours per week performing duties related to teaching, technical/studio/lab assistance, and possibly office administrative assistance, and research. Assistantships constitute the majority of the school’s financial aid funds, and are typically offered for the standard duration of the MFA program.

Graduate assistants are evaluated each year and re-appointment is based on the faculty evaluation of performance and the student’s satisfactory progress in the degree program. Most assistantships are extended for the duration of the student’s program. Assistantships include an in-state or out-of-state tuition waiver up to the minimum credits required for full-time enrollment, as well as student health insurance. The health insurance has a $18 monthly co-pay that is automatically deducted within the pay check. Graduate assistants must be employed on the first day of classes through the end of final exams. Tuition waivers do not cover fees associated with registration, (approximately $750-$850 per semester) nor do they cover lab fees, which range from $50-$150 per graduate course. Fees are deferred until the middle of the semester. Currently, the Graduate Assistant Union has negotiated eliminating specific fees, so the actual amount may reduce each semester.

Graduate School Funding awards

Graduate School Opportunity Awards (GSOA) are competitive 12-mo awards to attract outstanding students to our terminal degree programs. They are structured as an assistantship, but include summer funding, along with a summer graduate assistantship assignment. There is no additional application, as faculty make decisions based on the strength of the overall audition/portfolio and interview.

Grinter Fellowships

Supplemental fellowships for $2,250 per year, for up to two years, may be awarded during the recruitment of outstanding candidates. This additional funding award is paid twice per year as a lump sum payment: one time during mid-fall and one time during mid-spring.

Graduate Funding

The annual value of health insurance is ~$2,800.Graduate School Opportunity Awards (GSOA) are graduate assistantships awarded at $30,000 for a 12-mo contract (fall/spring and summer), which is $1,149.43 bi-weekly. The other benefits and work hours are the same.

Part-time assistantships pay $20,600 for a 9-mo contract (fall/spring semesters), which is $1,056.41 bi-weekly. (.50FTE equals 20 hours per week of work.)
 

The value of the tuition waiver for a non-Florida resident is ~ $11,000 per semester; Florida resident is ~ $4,000 per semester.