Program Overview

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Overview

Illinois State's Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Lighting Design program is dedicated to the development of individual students to reach their professional goals within the field of theatrical lighting design.

The three-year Lighting Design program is an intensive blend of theory and practice. Students can expect to design up to six fully produced shows during their MFA studies. They collaborate alongside a team of creative colleagues and foster working relationships which serve as the foundation for future internships and professional designs.

Illinois State provides unique teaching opportunities and training alongside a comprehensive curriculum. It provokes intellectual curiosity and demands articulate communication of intangible design solutions. The program fuses theatrical design theory with a fresh perspective on contemporary psychological and physiological lighting science.

Studying alongside professional designers and directors, students will leave this program with extensive portfolios and introspective comprehension. They will be prepared for a variety of professions within the field of lighting design.

Curriculum

The plan of study for graduate Lighting Design candidates is tailored to meet the needs of the individual student.

Course Requirements

• The course requirements for the Lighting Design program can be found in the university catalog.

Professional Practice

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival offers MFA students the opportunity to assist accomplished professional designers from around the country. Graduate students may also seek out internship opportunities in professional theatres and shops nationwide. Students are encouraged to pursue professional work during the summers to gain new insights and to build networks.

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Lauren Lowell

Admission Requirements

University Admission Requirements

• A student applying to this program must have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned.
• If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to the Graduate School.
• If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to the Graduate School.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

GPA

• You must have a minimum 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
• The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
• International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Application Materials

• Submit a current resume.
• Provide three professional or academic letters of recommendation.
• Interview with a member of the faculty.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Term — April 1

Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

• To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally, be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program.
• Be in good-standing.
• Be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

• Graduate assistants receive monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage.
• A waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment.
• A waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment.

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.