<p>I already know that I want to major in Musical Theatre in college. My problem is that my mom won't let me do that unless she knows I can double major in something else that I can use to support myself. She suggested Business or Journalism, but I'm having trouble finding colleges that would allow me to double major in MT and something like that. Does anyone know of a really good theatre school that has that option? I've looked into liberal arts colleges that have theatre programs, but I would really prefer MT to just drama. I feel like what I want is too specialized to allow for much of a choice in double majors. I'm thinking either English/Writing/Journalism or maybe French. I'd like to be able to take multiple languages as well, if at all possible. French, German, and Italian, specifically. Does anyone have any idea at all that could help me with this?</p>
<p>In that case, you probably want to look into BA schools, not BFAs. A BFA MT degree is, in reality, already a double major, and it’s difficult to find time in that schedule for other classes. I have a student in the BA MT program at American University – she is double-majoring and loves the program. I’m sure there are also other schools that would offer good possibilities, and you’ll probably get some suggestions from other posters.</p>
<p>UMich allows a BFA in MT and a BA in another subject. NYU says you can pretty much do a double major bc of the arts and sciences classes required, they said a counselor can help you figure it out.</p>
<p>Quite a few of the BFA schools allow a double major. That doesn’t mean it’s a great idea. In my experience, most of the BFA MT programs are so time-consuming that it is very difficult to schedule other classes around the theater requirements. It becomes even more difficult if a student is involved in productions, which generally require evening and weekend rehearsals. My D attends Syracuse, which does allow double-majoring. Out of the entire department, only one or two students are attempting a double-major, and they are acting students, not musical theater – their schedule doesn’t include voice and dance classes, so they have more time available in their schedule. In fact, my D is a member of the Honors College at Syracuse, which allows her to take extra credits. However, the only time she can fit an extra class into her schedule is Monday evening – so she’s restricted to classes that only meet at that time.</p>
<p>I am a voice and theater coach, and I definitely do not recommend trying to double-major if you are interested in a BFA program. I can’t stress this enough – it’s a highly intensive program that will keep you busy about 15 hours a day. There are many wonderful BA schools out that that will allow you more freedom to pursue other interests.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone says that it’s an easy thing to do, it isn’t. However, at some programs, as Bird said, it is definitely do-able. My D completed a double major in the College of Arts and Sciences as a BFA drama major in Tisch. By the way, the number of studio class hours is the same for the straight drama/acting students as it is for the MT students. This may not be the case at some programs, but it is at Tisch. Also, as has been mentioned many times here, the way classes are scheduled at Tisch allows for this more easily. Studio classes are 9-6 three days a week, with the academic (both theatre and regular academic) classes being held on the other two days. This allows for more easy scheduling than if the studio classes are spread out five days a week like they are at most colleges.</p>
<p>Again, this is not an easy proposition, but it can be done. You would not be able to double major in business but you could certainly do English, French (or other languages) and possibly Journalism (you should check with NYU about this to be sure. I know that they require a double major for Journalism majors but it’s best to check for direct info prior to applying). I would not recommend this for anyone who is not a very good academic student who also has excellent work habits and time management skills.</p>
<p>I coordinate the BA MT program at James Madison University, an auditioned BA program. We have a few students who choose to declare a double major at the end of their freshman or in their sophomore year. Quite a few others choose to declare a minor. </p>
<p>You may also want to look at Muhlenberg, which is a BA program in Theatre, where students can also take voice and dance. I would assume that a double major was possible. University of NH, Plymouth State University, American University, and Coastal Carolina are all BA MT programs where a double major may be possible. Worth checking into.</p>
<p>It indeed may be difficult to find mulitple schools that will allow it, but if you do enough research and ask all of the tough questions, the programs can be found.</p>
<p>And yes, you can indeed do a double major with MT BFA and business at least at 1 school, Univ. of Michigan. Here is the link.</p>
<p>[UM</a> School of Music, Theatre & Dance - Dual Degree Programs](<a href=“http://www.music.umich.edu/departments/dual_degrees.htm]UM”>http://www.music.umich.edu/departments/dual_degrees.htm)</p>
<p>My son has been accepted to do MT BFA and Engineering at U Mich.</p>
<p>Good Luck with your journey and feel free to PM me for specific information :)</p>
<p>Northwestern will allow you to double major. The quarter system allows for many more classes than a semester-oriented program so its quite doable.</p>
<p>Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio has a BFA in MT and allows the double major. SUNY Geneseo encourages a double major with MT - they are a BA and also very competitive to get into academically. ONU also has great academic stats but not quite as competitive to get into academically - I don’t think. My d looked at these 2 schools because she was considering a double major in the fall, but was also considering music education which is what she ultimately chose. But she visited and auditioned at ONU and Geneseo and she liked both very much.</p>
<p>It would be interesting to hear from someone who has actually completed a double-major which includes MT. Anyone out there, either BFA or BA?</p>
<p>AlwaysAMom’s did a double major at Tisch. She was Acting, not MT but at Tisch, Acting is just as demanding in coursework and time as MT.</p>
<p>While not exactly the same as a double major, my D has an older friend who graduated from Tisch/CAP21 and also completed the pre-med requirements.</p>
<p>Oh wow! Pre-med and Tisch? That’s quite a combination…
Like I said, though, I’m looking more into literature-type majors. Journalism, English, Literature, or maybe a language - probably French, Italian, or German.
And really, the only reason I’m looking into this is because my mom won’t let me major in MT unless I double major in something else that I can use to support myself (once she actually lets me go to NYC) when I’m not booking shows.</p>
<p>Many actors support themselves doing something else and didn’t need a double major to do that. For one thing, a college degree itself can open up the work world. Many jobs do not require you to have majored in that exact field (ie. English majors work in I Banking, or History majors end up being a buyer for Bloomingdales). Many jobs simply want an educated person and train them on the job. Further, a theater degree means you may get a job in an aspect of the arts too, not just performing. My D is graduating college with a BFA in a few weeks and I don’t feel that being an actor is the only thing she’ll be equipped to do or the only thing she will ever be hired to do. She had no minor or double major and doesn’t need one. </p>
<p>If you are so inclined, you also can minor in something else while at Tisch. That is more doable than the double major though a double major can be done. </p>
<p>A college major is not the only link to a job. The college degree can lead to all sorts of good jobs. </p>
<p>Certain skills gleaned in a theater major are applicable to many fields. </p>
<p>Also, your major doesn’t constitute EVERY class you take (at many BFA programs) and so it is not like you only learn to sing, dance and act at college. My D may have a BFA degree, but she also has been educated in some liberal arts and is well read and can write and so on and so forth. </p>
<p>A major is only a major and nothing more. It does not mean that is all you learned at college. And it doesn’t mean that is all you can and will ever do.</p>
<p>In addition, with some exceptions, very few undergraduate degrees/majors provide the specificity and depth of education/training designed to enable a person to obtain employment in the area of their major (that’s the purpose of a grad degree). It is not the second major that makes a person employable. So when it is argued that a BFA student must take a second major in order to have the ability to support themselves while auditioning, unless you are double majoring in something that gives you a discrete specialized skill set that is marketable or is designed to be an entry level degree in a specific aspect of the job market, having a double major does not necessarily make you more employable in the job market outside of the arts.</p>
<p>So if you are going to double major, do it because the subject matter moves you or because it is one of those specialized majors that can translate into employment opportunities, not because of the general notion that simply having a double major outside of the arts will make you more employable than you would be without it.</p>
<p>I strongly agree with soozie and MNK’s comments. IMO, a BFA is already a double major, and you will be learning many skills that will be applicable to professions other than theater. Just because you have a theater degree doesn’t mean that is the only thing you can do! And in reality, most bachelor’s degrees are not a guarantee of a job – many fields now require that you have a master’s. </p>
<p>My other concern with double-majoring is this: because BFA MT programs are so intensive, adding a second major may cause a student to lose focus and ultimately not do well in either major! As alwaysamom mentioned, I think it must take an exceptionally dedicated student to pull it off successfully.</p>