My son is a performer and singer but he wants to major in poly sci. He’d like to attend a school where he can major in poly sci and pursue a musical theater minor or double major. Does anyone know of schools that offer this? I know it’s a pretty specific question. Thanks.
Check out the musical theater forum on this site to connect with REALLY savvy parents on all things theatrical. And the question is likely not going to be “does the school offer both poly sci and musical theater”; the question is “can a kid do both-logistically and physically”.
Thank you blossom.
He may also have to decide if he wants a BA or a BFA in theater. The BFA requires more credits, usually ~65, so that leaves less room for other subject. Also, if the two majors are not in the same college, are there specific core requirements for either or both? At my daugther’s school, both were part of A&S so it could have been done, but getting through on time would have required choosing classes very carefully with no ‘wasted’ credits. The university had some core classes, A&S had some core classes, and of course both majors would have required specific courses.
It might not have worked with a second major outside A&S. For example, one couldn’t get a BFA in musical theater (and a BA wasn’t offered) with an education degree, or nursing degree because those schools had their own core requirements. It was possible to get a teaching degree with a minor in art.
It might work better to consider an MT major and Poli Sci minor - at least to start. It would probably be easier to pick up any missing major coursework for Poli Sci in summer school or by overloading one semester later on if the goal shifted to favor that major.
I think if you’re talking BFA programs, you’re talking double degree programs which are typically 5 years. And schools may tell you that you can do double degree but the theater faculty might not be a fan of those programs for their students.
I personally think his best bet might be a BA theater (or MT) and BA poli sci at an LAC with a strong theater and music program.
Thanks for the 411. We’ll look into that.
Not a helpful comment, but I’m really enjoying the image of a politician belting out debate answers with show tunes…
Ha ha…it could happen!
@bklynrbn - my D had the same question 2 years ago and what it boiled down to was she wanted to study musical theatre while maintaining progress towards an academic degree. We found it was challenging to plan to do exactly what she wanted because most BFA degrees weren’t friendly to double majors and most BAs weren’t heavy enough on pre-professional training. My D focused on choosing schools she liked and applied to both BA Theatre and BFA MT/Acting programs. She ended up choosing a BFA program and she feels like she’s been let out of a cage - she loves that she can really focus on her development as an artist. However, she has also realized that it will be next to impossible for her to take all of the arts classes she wants in her 4 years there and also double major in an academic field (she’s at NYU, which is probably the most academically-friendly BFA Drama/MT out there).
I would say sit down with your S and take a look at the curriculum for a few BA and BFA programs. If your son decides a BA degree is what he wants, it will be much easier for him to double major because a BA Theater or MT (there are only a few of those) is an academic degree - not an arts degree. Some colleges (American U is one) really push the BA route as the best option for college students because it does allow performers to also be well-rounded college graduates while getting strong training. BFA curriculums are truly centered (and mostly exclusively focused) on performing arts.
From what I can tell many students start out where your S is (and where my D was) and they end up taking different approaches. If your S wants to be on stage in shows but still take a lot of academic classes a BA at any school that welcomes creative performing kids will work out great for him. If he really wants to take his best shot at being on stage professionally some day - he’ll want to at least try for some BFA programs. And honestly - you don’t have to decide up front, you can apply to both. Just don’t think any one school is going to give you the best of both worlds because that is a very tough bill to fill. What you want to do is figure out which “world” fits him best. 
Thanks CaMoM. I think he is leaning toward a BA. Right now he is majoring in law in HS and he chose a non-arts focused hs even though he was accepted to a well-known performing arts hs. So I think he is leading with the academics but wants to be able to take theater courses or ideally double major …but it seems most theater programs frown upon that. I have found a few schools that seem to allow a theater minor so far…Skidmore, U Mass Amherst, American and Geneseo. Still researching! Thanks again.
Tufts appears to have Drama and Poly Sci as both majors and minors.
Does he got to a magnet school? Otherwise…how do,you “major in law” in HS?
Lawrence University has political science and drama/theater majors…and music…and is very frond,y in terms of double majors. I don’t see musical theatre on their list of majors…but I’m betting they do at least one musical production a year. It’s worth contacting them for more info.
Sounds like you have a great plan! I would also possibly look at Temple, Drew and Wesleyan - not sure what your S’s stats are! .
Thumper1, He goes to one of the NYC specialized high schools and the kids declare majors junior year. I will check out Lawrence. Thank you!
I’m not sure I could make a case for Wisconsin… oh well!
CaMoM, I don’t think Temple allows this - I reached out to them. Waiting to hear from Wesleyan. I’ll look into Drew! Thank you again.
LOL - how about California? LMU is another one but I didn’t suggest it above because your list seemed to be focused on east coast states.
We live on the east coast and I’m just concerned about the cost of traveling back and forth to CA. Though we love it and have family there…
Yes go to the MT forum, or even the music forum (The Double Degree Dilemma essay might be helpful.)
Options: BA theater or BA in something else with theater as an extracurricular
BA with double major or major/minor
BFA in freestanding conservatory or on campus of a college/university
Double degree in 5 years, theater and something else
BM degree or double degree (some MT singers do a BM)
It sounds like a BA with extracurricular theater might be the best option from what you write about your son. In that case I would warn against some schools that have excellent BFA programs since the best opportunities will go to those students. Instead look at schools with excellent extracurricular theater but no BFA program. There are exceptions but for the most part, that is a better way to go.
There is a book entitled “Creative Colleges” which lists good schools for theater, music, visual arts, dance, writing etc.
There are many options for the BA route.