Program Overview

Introduction to the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television

The UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television is a renowned institution that offers a comprehensive range of programs in the fields of theater, film, and television. The school is committed to providing students with a world-class education and pre-professional training in their chosen field.

Academics Overview

The school offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, including the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Theater. The undergraduate theater program is designed to provide students with a sound humanistic and experiential base for further pursuits in education and in life beyond the university.

Undergraduate Theater BA

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Theater provides a liberal arts education and pre-professional training in a comprehensive program. The program combines a critical study of theater with experiential practice in one or more of its component parts. Students explore the various areas of theater to build a foundation for future creative work.

Emphasis Options

The undergraduate theater program offers several emphasis options, including:

• Acting Emphasis
• Design/Production Emphasis
• Integrated Studies Emphasis
• Musical Theater Emphasis

Requirements

The four-year degree program consists of five sets of curricular requirements:

• Theater Major Requirements
• General Education Requirements
• School of Theater, Film, and Television Requirements
• University Requirements
• Theater Area of Emphasis (Acting, Design/Production, Directing, Integrated Studies, Musical Theater, Playwriting)

Theater Major Requirements

The theater major requirements include:

• Preparation for the Major: six required courses and 4 units of Theater 50
• The Major: two required courses, one capstone seminar, one elective, and 34 upper-division theater elective units
• Capstone Seminar: one course from THEATER 131C, THEATER 163C, or THEATER 180
• Elective: one course from THEATER 150, THEATER 173A, THEATER 173B, THEATER 174B, or THEATER 174C
• Additional Electives: 34 upper-division theater elective units

Faculty

The school has a world-class faculty, including:

• Michelle Liu Carriger, Associate Professor
• Suk-Young Kim, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and External Engagement; Head of Theater and Performance Studies Professor
• Felipe Cervera, Assistant Professor and Director, Center for Performance Studies

Admissions

The school offers admissions to first-year and transfer students. Students in the UCLA TFT Department of Theater cannot change their major to the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media at any time in their four years.

Students

The school provides various resources and services to support student success, including student services, student wellness, and internships.

News and Events

The school hosts various events and showcases, including the 2025 Sketch to Screen Costume Design Panel, Actor’s Showcase, Design Showcase West, TFT Film Festival, Theater Season, and Theater Laboratory Intensives.

Programs and Partnerships

The school has partnerships with various organizations, including the Geffen Playhouse, Kodak Cinematographer in Residence, and Matt Groening Endowed Chair in Animation. The school also offers special programs, such as TFT Online and UCLA ArtsBridge.