MFA in Playwriting
The MFA in Playwriting is offered by the GRS Playwriting Program in close collaboration with the College of Fine Arts (CFA) School of Theatre.
Course Requirements
A total of 60 credits are required, normally completed over three years. All courses must be completed with a grade of B− or higher.
Eight workshops in playwriting (32 credits). Two playwriting workshops must be taken every semester during the first two years of study. Seven of these eight workshops are part of a fixed program, taken in sequence by all students in a given entering cohort:
- CAS 519 Drama in Theory and Practice: Social and Political Theatre (Fall 1)
- CAS EN 520 Drama in Theory and Practice: Structure and Script (Fall 1)
- CAS EN 519 Drama in Theory and Practice: Solo Performance (Spring 1)
- CAS EN 510 Playwriting I: Writing of Short Plays (Spring 1)
- CAS EN 509 Playwriting II: Analysis to Inspiration (Fall 2)
- GRS EN 705 Seminar: Writing of Plays I (Fall 2)
- GRS EN 706 Seminar: Writing of Plays II (Spring 2)
- Elective Workshop (Spring 2)
Sixteen (16) credits of dramatic or other literature, at the 500 level or above, chosen in consultation with the advisor to form a coherent plan of study that informs the student’s scholarly interests and creative work. Courses may be selected from offerings in the departments of English, Classical Studies, Modern Languages & Comparative Literature, Romance Studies, or the School of Theatre.
Four (4) credits of creative process coursework in play production:
- CFA DR 557 or 558 Scene Design I (2 (credits)
- CFA DR 621 Scene Workshop (2 credits)
Two (2) elective credits (which may be earned through a mentored teaching assistantship)
Six (6) credits of directed study focused on the writing and production of the student’s thesis play:
- GRS EN 995 Directed Study in Playwriting (4 credits, Spring 2)
- GRS EN 996 Directed Study in Play Production (2 credits, Fall or Spring 3)
A foreign language is required for this degree; please write to the Director of Playwriting for more information.
