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: TBD

In Person: Location and Date TBD 

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. You will enter your recommenders’ email addresses in the application.
   • Be sure to allow time for them to receive and submit their letters electronically. 
   • You will not be able to add recommenders once you have submitted your application. Please have their information and email addresses ready before you finalize. 
3. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae – must include all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about any ongoing international affiliations and research funding. (Required by Florida Statute)
4. GPA – use the GPA calculator provided in the application to enter your upper-division (junior/senior level) course grades as they appear on your transcript. Follow all directions carefully and do not leave this section blank. Only international and non-letter grade degrees should use “non-traditional” for GPA.
5. 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.
6. 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.

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

Application Fee 
A non-refundable $30 application fee is required. 
The Office of Admissions does not offer fee waivers. 

Once your application is complete, please email graduate@arts.ufl.edu to let us know—and reach out if you have any questions! 

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”).

Please see UF Admissions Information for International Students

Additional Admissions Information: International Students

• A credential evaluation is optional for college coursework outside of the U.S. 
• Upload unofficial transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas from every institution listed in your application’s educational history. 
• Documents may be uploaded directly to the application or via your Check Status page. 
• Submit scanned copies of the official paper versions issued by your previous or current institutions. 
• Screenshots of grades will not be accepted. 
• If your transcripts or degree documents are not issued in English, include a certified, literal, line-for-line English translation. Acceptable translations must be issued by your institution or a professional translation service. 

The GRE is not required.

English Language Proficiency
The University of Florida requires proficiency in spoken and written English to ensure international students can participate fully in academic and campus life. Students from non-English-speaking countries who have not completed at least one year of study at a U.S. college or university must submit scores from one of the following:

• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): minimum score of 6.5 
• TOEFL (iBT & Home Edition): minimum overall score of 4.5
• TOEFL Subscores: 4.0 in all subsections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing)

UF’s TOEFL school code is 5812.

Please make sure to submit your IELTS or TOEFL score by the application deadline as these are required by the Graduate School for admission.

English Proficiency Exemptions 
You may be exempt from submitting English proficiency scores if: 

• You have completed one academic year in a degree-seeking program at a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or in a country where English is the official language. 
• You hold an earned associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a recognized institution in the U.S. or a country where English is the official language. 

See the list of countries exempt from English proficiency requirements. 

English Language Support 

• You may be required to take additional courses if the UF Graduate School or your academic department determines your English proficiency needs support. 
• UF’s English Language Institute (ELI) offers:  
  • Academic Writing support 
  • International Teaching Assistant Support (SPEAK and EAP 5836) 
  • Intensive non-degree programs for improving speaking, reading and writing 
  • Housing assistance and academic advising 

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 for the standard duration of the MFA program, as offered in the admission award.

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.

Benefits

• Tuition waivers cover the minimum credits required for full-time enrollment:  
  • 9 credits in fall and spring 
  • 3 credits for summer A or B, or 6 credits for summer C (if appointed in summer) 

• The value of the tuition waiver for a non-Florida resident is approximately $11,000 per semester. For Florida residents, it is approximately $4,000 per semester. 

• GatorGradCare health insurance is available with subsidized premiums: 
  • Employee only: $17.65/month 
  • Employee + spouse: $162.85/month 
  • Employee + children: $146.25/month 
  • Employee + full family: $224.53/month 

• Graduate assistants receive paid personal and family leave, and retain health insurance coverage during approved research leave. More information is available via UF HR Benefits. 

Tuition waivers do not cover university or course fees, which may include: 

• University registration fees: approx. $850–$950 per semester 

• Course fees: approx. $45–$75 per graduate course  

These fees are deferred until mid-semester, allowing time to plan and budget. Payment is required by the deferment deadline to avoid a $100 late fee or cancellation of registration. 

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 (.50 FTE; 20 hrs/week).

Part-time assistantships pay $20,600 for a 9-mo contract (fall/spring semesters mid-Aug to mid-May), which is $1,056.41 bi-weekly (.50 FTE; 20 hrs/week).