MFA in Playwriting from Boston University

Two playwriting workshops will 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:

Eight workshops in playwriting (32 credits)

Two playwriting workshops will 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 EN 510 Playwriting I: Writing of Short Plays (Fall 1)
CAS EN 517 Drama in Theory and Practice: Play Structures (Fall 1)
CAS EN 519 Drama in Theory and Practice: Character/Form (Spring 1)
CAS EN 520 Playwriting II: Adaptation and Analysis (Spring 1)
CAS EN 509 Drama in Theory and Practice: Writing Sexualities (Fall 2)
GRS EN 705 Seminar: Writing of Plays I (Fall 2)
GRS EN 706 Seminar: Writing of Plays II (Spring 2)
Elective Writing Workshop (Spring 2)

Sixteen (16) credits of dramatic or other literature, at the 500 level or above

Courses should be 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, Philosophy, Theology, Political Science, as well as in the School of Theatre.

Four (4) credits of creative process coursework in play production

CFA TH 653 Master Design Seminar (2 credits)
CFA TH 624 Scene Study (2 credits)

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)

Two (2) elective credits

These may be earned through a class or a mentored teaching assistantship.

Foreign Language Requirement

An ability to read a foreign language is required for this degree; please write to the director of the Playwriting Program for more information.

A total of 60 credits are required, normally completed over three years. All courses must be completed with a grade of B− or higher.