Program Overview

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MFA in Theatre Overview

The Oscar Hammerstein II Center for Theatre Studies is where students with talent, vision, and commitment transform into exceptional theatre artists—equipped to shape the future of the stage. Our MFA in Theatre Program offers concentrations in Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Dramaturgy, Stage Management, or Theatre Management & Producing, plus a combined JD/MFA with Columbia Law School. Not only do our students develop command of the classics, they also explore and experiment with new forms at the cutting edge of theatrical art.

With New York City as our training ground, students interact with leading creators, practitioners, producers, and analysts of today’s theatre. Our extensive network of alums and faculty working on Broadway, at leading regional theaters, and in award-winning productions—including Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prizes, and more—connects students to a collaborative community that supports their artistic growth and professional success long after graduation.

Curriculum and Requirements

At the School of the Arts, there is no limit to the kind of theatremaker you can become. Our students gain a deep knowledge of their discipline through a thoughtfully tailored course of study, alongside electives that support and enhance their chosen concentration. In addition to coursework, our students collaborate on many stage productions during their time in the program, giving them important practical experience. These creative partnerships are essential to the collaborative work our students produce and in building lasting relationships across the industry.

The first two years of our program are centered around experiential learning and meaningful collaboration. The third and final year is devoted to students synthesizing their learning and crafting their own artistic and professional voice through thesis projects, productions, and internships with professional theatre organizations. In addition, students attend colloquia throughout the year with writers, actors, directors, agents, and producers.

The required 60 points for the MFA degree must include:

• Sixty (60) points of required and approved graduate coursework.
• Two (2) production assignments for thesis productions (usually completed in the first year).
• At least two professional internships, documented by executed internship contracts and a five-page paper documenting the internship experience and lessons learned.
  • The exception to this rule is for those in the Acting program, who are exempted from completing internships. Students in the Theatre Management and Producing program are required to complete three internships.
• A thesis approved by the student’s advisor. The thesis is either a written document or participation in a production, or both.

Theatre JD/MFA Program

We also offer a joint-degree program with Columbia Law School, through which students can earn both the JD and the MFA in Theatre Management & Producing. Rather than the six years that would be required to pursue the degrees separately, the joint program allows students to fulfill all requirements within five years. Students spend five semesters taking classes through Columbia Law School, three semesters at the School of the Arts, and complete a written thesis. Matriculation into this program requires students to meet the requirements of, and be accepted by, both schools.

Why Pursue Your MFA in Theatre at Columbia University?

Our biggest priority is to cultivate a space where students become exemplary theatre artists. We are fully invested in your artistic growth and progress, not only as individual students, but as creative collaborators who will produce amazing work out in the world together.

That work begins here, in the theatre capital of the world, New York City. Every season, we have current students and alums on the creative teams of Tony Award winning and nominated Broadway productions, as well as in countless shows in Off and Off-Off Broadway. Our faculty are acclaimed theatre artists who are leaders and innovators in their fields and bring their expertise to the classroom. Training here means joining the ranks of one of the most talented and accomplished communities of theatre artists in the world.

International Students

The School of the Arts is home to a global community of artists, scholars, and storytellers. In Fall 2025, students from 58 countries comprised 32 percent of our student body, bringing perspectives that enrich every classroom, studio, and stage. We welcome applications from international students and value the unique experiences they bring to our community.

Career Opportunities

Through our network of acclaimed faculty and accomplished alums, students have access to a wide range of New York’s most established producers, managers, and publicity agents during their time in the program. This gives our students the opportunity to make connections with working Theatre professionals, which has often led to internships with leading theatre companies as well as jobs after graduation.

The majority of our students are required to complete at least two professional internships, preparing them for a successful transition into their professional careers. Additionally, students attend special seminars throughout the year with writers, actors, directors, agents, and producers, giving them valuable insight into today’s many theatrical landscapes. Upon successful completion of the program, our directors are also eligible to join the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) at no cost to them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who Should Consider an MFA in Theatre?

There is no one path that leads to the MFA. Our students arrive from across the world, bringing diverse life experiences with them. The one thing they all share is a passion for the theatrical arts. The MFA in Theatre provides a safe space for creative collaboration, risk-taking, and experimentation that pushes our students to produce the best possible version of the stories only they can tell.

How Long is the MFA in Theatre at Columbia?

Students complete their degree requirements over the course of three years. The first two years of the program focus on discipline-specific coursework, while the third and final year is devoted to students synthesizing their learning and crafting their own artistic and professional voice through thesis projects, productions, and internships with professional theatre organizations.

Can I Take Courses Outside of My Concentration?

Absolutely! We encourage students to take courses outside of their main discipline, across the School of the Arts. For example, many of our playwrights take courses in Fiction, Screenwriting, and Writing for Television. We even offer two Collaboration classes–one in each of the first two years. Here, the focus is on the creation of new work through interdisciplinary teams.

What Kind of Creative Materials Should I Submit?

All applicants are required to submit a brief autobiography, a statement of theatrical and personal objectives, as well as a current theatrical resume. Each concentration also has its own additional requirements.

What Careers Do MFA in Theatre Graduates Pursue?

We are constantly impressed by what our students accomplish after (and even before!) graduation. It’s not uncommon to see our students' names on the playbills for major productions during their time in the program. Our alums go on to write, direct, and produce award-winning theatrical productions. Not only do our acting alums join exciting stage productions, but they have also been cast in television shows and feature films.

How Does an MFA in Theatre at Columbia Differ from Other Schools?

The caliber of our faculty makes studying here unlike anywhere else. Our faculty have won Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prizes, Drama Desk Awards, OBIE Awards, and more. They are artists pushing the cultural conversation of theatre arts forward, and at Columbia, they become lifelong mentors for our students. Our small cohorts also mean our students’ work is given thoughtful, meaningful attention. Not only does this create strong bonds between our students, but it also allows our faculty the time and space to be fully invested in their mentees’ journeys as it relates to their specific passions and aspirations. The network that exists among faculty and alums also generates opportunities for our students to translate their training into professional success.

There’s nothing like studying in the theatre capital of the world, New York City. Our students are immersed in the top level of the professional theatre industry and leave our program ready to make their own mark on the world.

Is There Financial Aid Available?

Columbia University School of the Arts provides over $18 million for student support each year in the form of tuition scholarships, paid student positions, and teaching assistantships, as well as institutional awards and grants to support research, travel, and productions. We believe that the education and resources provided by the School of the Arts support an investment that will yield personal, intellectual, and professional gains for the rest of your life. We also realize that meeting the cost of this investment requires careful planning.

Columbia University School of the Arts and Columbia University Student Financial Services work carefully with students to arrange the financing of their degrees. Loan packages, jobs, fellowships, scholarships and other options are available for eligible students. Please see Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid for information and important financial aid application procedures and deadlines.