Bachelor of Arts

Mission Statement

The faculty of the School of Drama considers the optimum preparation for the theatre artist to be comprised of a liberal arts undergraduate major in drama and a graduate conservatory education. Therefore, the School's BA program is dedicated to providing a well-rounded major within a liberal arts context. Almost half of this major is devoted to theatre history, theatre literature and criticism; the balance consists of courses in all elements of production. The breadth of required general education courses is viewed as a means to an enriched artistic expressiveness.

Overview of the Program

The BA program is dedicated to providing a well-rounded major within a liberal arts context. The School of Drama recognizes and supports the view that a drama major, like a history or English major, is an end in itself. More than 40% of this major is devoted to history, literature and criticism; the balance of the coursework provides work in all elements of production. The drama student should be as equipped for an intellectual life as any other liberal arts major, and a breadth of general education requirements is viewed as a means to an enriched artistic expressiveness. The faculty considers the optimum preparation for the theatre artist to be comprised of a liberal arts undergraduate major in drama and a graduate conservatory education. In this way, it resembles other professions, e.g., medicine or law.

Program of Study

Undergraduate majors are required to complete core courses in acting, design and technical theatre, theatre history/dramatic literature and criticism, as well as electives at the 300-400 level. Drama elective courses include courses in intermediate and advanced level acting, design and technical theatre; stage management and a directing series. For BA core requirements, see the Undergraduate Advising Home Page .

The BA program is projected to be a four-year degree, although some students have found it to take longer. Duration in the program can be affected by the timeliness of the major declaration, amount and type of transfer credits, if any, and quarterly credit load.

The faculty encourages drama students to complete the required core courses as early as possible to allow maximum opportunity for advanced level coursework and enrichment during the senior year.

Admission Requirements & Application Procedures

UW Office of Admissions has information on applying to the University of Washington.

Undergraduates entering the BA program in Drama must first be admitted to the University.
Admission to drama major status requires the completion of five prerequisite courses: Drama 201; two from Drama 210, 211, 212 and 213; one from Drama 290, 291, 292; and Drama 251. A student must achieve an average GPA of 2.50 or higher for the five courses.

No audition is required to declare a Drama major. (Auditions are required, however, for such classes as intermediate and advanced level acting.)

Drama Scholarships

Full-time undergraduate drama majors may apply for a variety of annual School of Drama scholarships. Applications are available early spring from the advising office, and awards are determined by a faculty committee on the basis of demonstrated merit, talent, financial need and contribution to the School.

For more detailed information, please check out the Undergraduate Advising Home Page or get in touch with our Drama advising office.