Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre is designed to provide intensive training, preparing students for careers in the professional or academic theatre. Admission to this program is available by audition/interview only. Students admitted to this BFA program will combine a basic foundation of general studies with an extensive selection of performance-oriented coursework (acting, directing, design, and dance) and participation in the co-curricular production activities of the department. This degree may be earned in eight semesters if students average 16 hours per semester. Continuation in the program is contingent upon annual review of student work.

Important Notes

•  View the Undergraduate Catalog for information including course descriptions and prerequisites, major and minor requirements, academic policies, etc.
•  Check the Undergraduate Catalog for course prerequisites; classes taken out of sequence will not count toward graduation.
•  A grade of “C” or better is required in all required major and minor courses. Courses taken as “CR/NC” will not count towards the major or minor.
•  Courses taken for the major and minor may be applied toward satisfying General Education requirements, but credit hours cannot be double counted.
•  Course numbers of 3700 and higher are considered upper-division courses.
•  You must complete coursework totaling a minimum of 120 s.h. to graduate (at least 60 s.h. must be completed at the 2600 level or higher and 39 s.h. must be at the 3700 level or higher).
•  The following courses do NOT count as hours toward graduation:

  Course List

  COURSE	TITLE	S.H.
  ENGL 1509	Academic English for Non-native Speakers	3
  ENGL 1512	English Conversation for Non-native Speakers	1
  ENGL 1541	Introduction to College Writing	3
  RSS 1510A	Advanced College Success Skills	3
  RSS 1510B	Basic College Success Skills	3
  RSS 1510C	STEM Advanced College Success Skills	4

•  The residency rule states that the last 30 s.h. of your degree and at least 16 s.h. in your major and 21 s.h. in upper-division courses must be completed at YSU.
•  Eligibility to continue receiving federal financial aid is affected by your “satisfactory academic progress.” Carefully review details on the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship website. 
•  ​Meet with your advisor on a regular basis to ensure you are meeting requirements for graduation.

Graduation Process

•  One Year Before Expected Graduation
  •  Request a Graduation Evaluation
  •  When your evaluation is complete, make an appointment with the chairperson of your department.
•  Semester You Plan To Graduate
  •  Apply for graduation during the first three weeks of the semester you plan to graduate (you must have a graduation evaluation completed in advance).

Public Performances – Students demonstrate competence in the creation and presentation of public theatre events as performers and demonstrate the ability to act, i.e. to project one's self believably in work and action into imaginary circumstances in roles in a wide range of styles and formats.

Knowledge of History and Cultural Dimensions – Students demonstrate knowledge of the history and cultural influences of and upon the institution of theatre throughout the ages.

Informed Assessments of Quality – Students demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate works of theatre.

Critical Thinking – Students demonstrate the ability to define a desired goal in creating a work of theatre and find solutions to achieve that goal.