Graduate Handbook

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Accelerated Degree Policy for MFA in Theatre Arts

Minimal Requirements for the MFA Degree at The University of Iowa (Graduate College):

24 semester hours in residence
48 semester hours total
Thesis

Minimal requirements for the MFA Degree in Theatre Arts (as approved by the National
Association of Schools of Theatre):

3 years in the program (may include an off-campus internship)
60 semester hours, including the completion of a stipulated series of academic core courses.
Core courses may be waived only if a satisfactory substitution is made. All substitutions must be approved by the course instructor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the student’s graduate committee.
Thesis
Satisfactory overall progress in artistic development.

Theatre Arts students may complete the requirements for the MFA degree in fewer than three
years if:

They fulfill the minimal Graduate College Requirements for the degree and demonstrate satisfactory overall progress in artistic development.

and

They have graduate transfer credits from this or other institutions, acceptable to the program head and faculty.

and/or

They have experience in the profession (e.g., productions, publications) which their program accepts as equivalent to specific courses or other requirements normally required for the degree. Those courses must be individually waived on the student's plan of study and agreed to by the student's graduate committee, the Department Executive Committee, and the DEO.

The amount of reduction depends on the number of courses waived and the time it takes the
student to complete the remaining requirements. In any case, the student must complete at least 24
semester hours of graduate credit in residence, 48 semester hours of graduate credit total.

Normally, the conditions to be met for graduation in fewer than three years (and/or with fewer
than 60 semester hours) should be set out in the acceptance letter from the DEO to the student. A
student already in residence may petition for accelerated status at any time. In either case, the
terms of the accelerated program must be approved by the student's graduate committee, the
Department Executive Committee, and the DEO.

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