Graduate Handbook

To attain the MFA degree in Theatre Arts, graduate students normally must complete:

• Six semesters in residence (internships may be substituted with the permission of the program faculty and the Director of Graduate Studies);
• The requisite number of graduate hours stipulated by their program of study;
• All requirements of the Graduate College, including a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75;
• All courses on the plan of study with an overall grade point average of at least 3.0;
• Creative or scholarly work of high quality according to program requirements;
• A comprehensive examination;
• A written thesis.

Students must make normal progress toward completion of the degree requirements to remain in their program. Students making normal progress must maintain:

• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.75, in accordance with requirements of the Graduate College; if the average falls below 2.75 it must be raised to that level by the end of the following semester
• A GPA of at least 3.0, or receive grades of satisfactory in all courses within the primary area of concentration, as defined by each program
• Grades of at least B- or satisfactory in all courses in the primary area of concentration
• A record of approved creative or scholarly work, as evaluated by the program facult.

Students must also demonstrate that they are effective collaborators and observe professional standards and ethics appropriate to their discipline.

Students who fail to make normal progress are placed on academic probation and given only one semester to resolve the outstanding issues.

Academic Procedures for Graduate Students in Theatre Arts

Every graduate student’s program is composed of two elements: (a) course work and (b) required production assignments. Each student must successfully complete all work assigned in these two categories.

Course Work

• Before enrolling, students are given a list of required and recommended courses.
• Students who request advanced standing normally must do so before enrolling. After enrollment, advanced standing is granted only under exceptional circumstances. (See “Accelerated Degree Policy” below.)
• By the mid-point of a student’s first semester, he/she and the program head agree on a specific course of study to be pursued throughout the degree period. This course of study may, with permission of the program head, vary from the norm in order to address a student’s specific needs, strengths or interests. Once the program of study is accepted by the program head and the Director of Graduate Studies, the student may not alter it without the agreement of the program head and the DGS.

Production Assignments

• The program head assigns production work; it will be evaluated (see below) and considered an important element of every student’s program.
• During the academic year, students may wish to do production work outside their primary field – including professional opportunities outside the Department -- or undertake production work which they do not wish to be formally supervised and evaluated. Students must have permission from their program head before they agree to such work.

Grading and Evaluation

Courses: Courses are graded A-F, S/U or optional A-F S/U at the discretion of the instructor. Students must take a minimum of 18 hrs. for a letter grade.

• A indicates superior work
• B indicates good work
• C indicates that the student barely passed the course. Such work is normally not acceptable in a student’s primary area of concentration. A student who receives a C in such a course may be required to repeat it in order to graduate.
• D indicates work which does not meet degree requirements. Students who receive a D must repeat the course or an approved substitute.
• F indicates the student has failed the course
• I indicates incomplete work. Faculty members who give a student permission to take an incomplete grade will establish a time when the work must be completed; this must be approved by the program head.
• S indicated the equivalent of B- or above.
• U indicates that work is unacceptable and may not be used to satisfy degree requirements.

Production Assignments. Both process and product are evaluated. Each program establishes its own criteria, but all programs share the following elements:

• Process
  • Was the student prepared to execute his/her responsibilities fully and on time throughout the entire production period?
  • Did the student challenge him/herself to do the best work possible?
  • Did the student work with peers collaboratively in a way that stimulated creativity?
  • Was the student able to sustain excellence in other areas of the program (such as classes and assistantship) while successfully completing required production work?
• Product
  • Does the product indicate that the student is a promising artist or craftsperson, whose vision and skills are appropriate for someone at his/her level of training?
  • Does the product indicate that the student is able to apply successfully the lessons learned in class?
  • Does the product show the student is growing as an artist or craftsperson?
  • Does the product indicate promise that the student will be able to work successfully as a professional upon completing the program?

At least one member of the student’s faculty will evaluate each production assignment. Students are required speak personally with the evaluating faculty member either at the time of the assignment or, depending on program procedures, at the end of the semester; students are encouraged to speak with as many other faculty members as possible about their work.

Summary Evaluations. At the end of every semester, students receive a formal evaluation of their course and production work. Evaluations may be given in writing, discussed in person, or both. They deal comprehensively with all aspects of student’s work. At the end of every year, students receive a written evaluation of their work, a copy of which is placed in their files.

Graduate Committees, Comprehensive Examinations, and Thesis Procedures

• Plan of Study. This normally must be approved and submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies by November 15.
• Graduate Committee. This committee will review the student’s work on a major project and at the end of every semester. The chair of the committee will write a letter evaluating the student’s work at the end of the first and second year. It is up to the student to initiate evaluations except at the end of the year. Membership: minimum of 3 people, composed of program faculty and, where appropriate, another member selected by the student with the permission of the Program Head.
• Comprehensive Examination. At the end of the second year, students will complete special assignments designed by each program and meet with their committees for a comprehensive evaluation of their work to date. This evaluation will determine whether students are permitted to continue their work into their third year and proceed to do a thesis.
• Thesis
  • The Thesis Committee is identical to the graduate committee; a student may invite additional faculty members to serve on it as well.
  • The thesis topic or project must be approved by the thesis committee; this normally occurs by the end of the student’s second year.
  • Members of the committee normally provide feedback on the student’s work several times. All committee members evaluate the work at its completion. The committee determines whether the student passes the thesis requirement, and, if appropriate, gives a grade.
  • Normally, students register for credit under 49:298 MFA Thesis (0-3 semester hours).
  • Students are responsible for filing the thesis proposal form with the Director of Graduate Studies before the end of the first week of classes of the session in which the thesis is to be completed.

Continuance, Probation and Dismissal

• All students are on probation for their first year. This means they may be dismissed at the end of either semester if they are not making normal progress. If a student in good standing ceases to make normal progress, as outlined above, he or she may be placed on probation for one semester before being considered for dismissal.
• At the time of the summary evaluations each term, students are informed whether they may continue in their programs, are being placed on probation, or are being dismissed.
• Normal progress is required in order for a student to be in good standing. Under exceptional circumstances, the program faculty, with the approval of the DGS, may grant continuance even when normal progress has been interrupted.
• Students may be placed on probation for many reasons. Among them are: (1) not making normal progress toward the degree; (2) not completing creative and/or production work satisfactorily; (3) not progressing toward the degree at an appropriate rate; (4) not sustaining satisfactory progress in course work and creative work.
• When placed on probation, students are informed in writing what they must do to re-establish good standing. Normally, they have one semester to comply. If they do not comply, they may be dismissed.
• Students placed on probation after the first year may lose their assistantships or other departmental support.

Appeal

• Students dismissed from the graduate program may appeal in writing to the Chair and the Director of Graduate Studies, who will rule on the case.
• Students who wish to appeal the decision of the Chair and DGS may do so according to the “Academic Grievance Procedures” of the Graduate College
• Dismissed students who are supported by assistantships lose that support until and unless they are formally reinstated into the program.
• Students placed on probation may follow the same appeal process.

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