<p>Hi everyone. I'm new to the site, and I wasn't sure if this was the right place to post this question, but here goes, anyway. I'm currently a senior at Utah State University studying vocal performance. My ideal plan is to pursue a masters in Theatre Arts or Musical Theatre and an doctrate in Arts Administration. My question being, what are my chances of being accepted for a grauate degree in theatre if that is not my current course of study? I have an extensive music theatre background, but no course study at the college level (except for opera). Due to some extrenuating circumstances (long story...I won't bore you with the details) I don't have the resources to get a minor like I planned. It would set me back at least another year (and I'm already at least a year behind).</p>
<p>So, any thoughts? I realize talent comes into it and any panel would have every right to dismiss me on that basis. But from a purely academic standpoint, is it possible? What would be the best way to boost my chances?</p>
<p>In terms of Arts Administration programs… you may have a hard time finding many (if any schools) that offer a PhD in Arts Administration. Most of the schools I know of that offer this graduate degree offer a MA, MFA, or MBA.</p>
<p>Is your ultimate goal to work in arts administration? Are you interested in pursuing a performance career first, thus want the Musical Theatre or Theatre performance training that you missed in undergraduate school? </p>
<p>Your “next step” in schooling may be influence by how you answer those questions. </p>
<p>There are not many Musical Theatre graduate programs…</p>
<p>According to the “Big List” on the FAQ link on this site. The following schools offer graduate degrees in MT:</p>
<p>Arizona State University (MM)
Boston Conservatory (MM)
New York University: Steinhardt (MA Vocal Performance w/ MT concentration)
Oklahoma City University (MM)
San Diego State University (MFA)
University of Central Florida (MFA)
University of Montana (MM)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (MFA) </p>
<p>There are also a few 2 year certificate programs that come to mind:</p>
<p>Circle in the Square
AMDA
PCPA </p>
<p>The audition requirements and the actual training focus will be very different for a masters in Musical Theatre than an MFA in Acting. </p>
<p>There are many more schools that offer a MFA in Acting.</p>
<p>To “boost” your chances at these programs taking acting classes (and continuing with music and dance if you are interested in MT programs), and working with a coach to prepare your material will help significantly.</p>
<p>Also, if you want to go to a performance masters program I would not discuss your ultimate goal of working in arts administration at the interview or in your statement of purpose. The expectation in graduate school is that you want the training in order to purse a career in that area (or possibly teach at the college level). </p>
<p>It does, thanks. That acutally hadn’t occured to me. Naturally, I would love nothing more than to pursue a career in performance…I just figured it was impractical. And since I’m really not a great teacher, administration seemed a good alternative (the dream being to start my own academy). University of Oregon–where I did the first year of my undergrad–offers graduate programs in both musical theater and arts administration, I think. In fact, that’s the only reason I even knew the option existed, because I was feeling adrift and started browsing through their course catalogue.</p>
<p>In any case, I appreciate the info. I’m just trying to weigh some options while I still have time.</p>
<p>To my knowledge there are no PhD programs in Arts Admin. And there likely won’t be. Remember that the Ph.D. stands for a Doctor of Philosophy and it would be hard for me to envision that in the field of Arts Admin. However, depending on how you would like to go forward, there are options. Have you considered an Art Law degree (I think Ohio State University offers that, as well as others)? Or an MFA in performance and an MA in Arts Admin - you can get more than one Masters Degree. The Arts Admin or Theatre Admin degrees are becoming more popular and easy to find. Good Luck.</p>
That acutally hadn’t occured to me. Naturally, I would love nothing more than to pursue a career in performance…I just figured it was impractical. And since I’m really not a great teacher, administration seemed a good alternative (the dream being to start my own academy). University of Oregon–where I did the first year of my undergrad–offers graduate programs in both musical theater and arts administration, I think. In fact, that’s the only reason I even knew the option existed, because I was feeling adrift and started browsing through their course catalogue.</p>