Program Overview

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Introduction to the Doctor of Philosophy in Performance Studies (Drama)

The Department of Drama offers graduate programs leading to the degree of PhD in Performance Studies, Master of Fine Arts degrees in Theatre Design, Directing, Theatre Voice Pedagogy, and Theatre Practice, and Master of Arts in Drama degree.

Program Overview

The Department offers students access to a range of professional facilities during their studies, including performance, workshop, rehearsal, and classroom space, libraries, graduate student offices, and access to computers and seminar rooms. The Timms Centre for the Arts provides a fully equipped, 289-seat-proscenium theatre, a black box second playing space, theatre collections, props shop, production offices, wardrobe, dressing rooms, and a green room.

Why Study This Program?

The aim of the MFA programs is to train candidates to a level of competency sufficient to enter the profession. The MA program, essentially research-oriented, also offers training in dramaturgy as one of the means by which candidates may be actively involved in the creative pursuits of the Department, and also prepares for further PhD studies. The PhD in Performance Studies offers students advanced-level scholarship, study, and research in Drama and Performance, with a thorough interdisciplinary focus.

Entrance Requirements

• The Departments minimum admission requirements for the MA degree are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.
• The Departments minimum admission requirements for the MFA degree are normally a four-year degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.
• The Departments minimum admission requirements for the PhD degree are a Masters degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.
• Applicants must meet the minimum GPS English Language Requirement.
• Additional requirements for MA and PhD applicants include:
  • Curriculum Vitae/Resume
  • A recent writing sample on a drama-related topic
  • A research proposal
  • Three letters of recommendation
• Additional requirements for MFA applicants include:
  • Letter of intent
  • Curriculum Vitae/Resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Portfolio (specific requirements vary by program)

Program Requirements

• Students are required to complete a minimum of 18 units in coursework and a thesis.

Required Courses (6 units)

• DRAMA 608 - Historical Approaches to Dramatic and Theatrical Critical Theories
• DRAMA 609 - Contemporary Approaches to Dramatic and Theatrical Critical Theories
• Required courses may be replaced with an equivalent approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

Elective Courses (12 units)

• A 3-unit practical requirement in theatre practice
• Three graduate-level courses (up to two can be taken outside of the Department of Drama)
• Students can take one directed reading/special project course (DRAMA 605)
• All coursework is selected by the student in consultation with the PhD or Graduate Coordinator

Thesis

• Registration in 900-level THES
• Students must complete a written dissertation, founded on high scholastic achievement, original research, and firm theoretical grounding.
• The dissertation must be defended before an examining committee.

Departmental Exams

• During their second or third year, students prepare for and undertake their departmental examination.
• The examination has three written components:
  • General examination
  • Short Dissertation Proposal
  • Long Dissertation Proposal

Candidacy Exam

• The (oral) Candidacy exam is normally held within two weeks of completion of the Long Dissertation Proposal.

Ethics Requirement

• PhD students must meet the INT D 720 GPS Ethics and Academic Citizenship Training Requirement by the end of the first term of registration in their degree program.
• All PhD Students must also complete the INT D 710 GPS Ethics and Academic Citizenship Training Requirement (if they have not already done so while taking a Masters Degree at the UofA) by the end of the first term of registration in their degree program.

Language Requirement

• PhD students are required to demonstrate reading proficiency in a language other than English (normally the language that is most relevant for the proposed research).

Residence Requirement

• The minimum period of residence is two years of full-time attendance on campus at the University of Alberta.

Length of Program

• The maximum time to complete the PhD program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.

Courses

• Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings, under the subject heading Drama (DRAMA), and Theatre Design (T DES).

Tuition and Fees

• Graduate assistantships are available to qualified students.
• Graduate students are also eligible to compete for University and provincial scholarships.

Scholarships and Financial Support

• The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising.
• Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.