The Department of Drama offers graduate programs leading to the degree of PhD in Performance Studies, Master of Fine Arts degrees in Theatre Design, Directing, Theatre Voice Pedagogy, and Theatre Practice, and Master of Arts in Drama degree.
The Department offers students access to a range of professional facilities during their studies including performance, workshop, rehearsal and classroom space, libraries, graduate student offices, and access to computers and seminar rooms. The Timms Centre for the Arts provides a fully equipped, 289-seat-proscenium theatre, a black box second playing space, theatre collections, props shop, production offices, wardrobe, dressing rooms and a green room. The Fine Arts Building offers students the opportunity to study and work in a variety of studio and performance spaces.
In addition, the theatre collection in the library is extensive. It includes a substantial collection of research materials on theatre worldwide.
The aim of the MFA programs is to train candidates to a level of competency sufficient to enter the profession.
Program Requirements:
Students are required to complete a minimum of ?33 in coursework and a thesis-equivalent consisting of a creative project presented in performance, accompanied by a supporting document.
Coursework (?33)
DRAMA 601 - Methods and Tools of Research
Required courses depend on the area of concentration and professional goals of the student.
Courses will be selected in consultation with the MFA Theatre Practice or Grad Coordinator.
Thesis:
Registration in 900-level THES. The thesis-equivalent will be presented in performance and will be accompanied by a written document.
For program completion and convocation, there is no requirement to submit the thesis-equivalent to FGSR.
Ethics Requirement:
For MFA Theatre Practice students the FGSR Academic Integrity and Ethics Training Requirement is met by taking DRAMA 601. Alternatives to this course must be approved by the graduate coordinator.
Residence Requirement:
For the MFA Theatre Practice, the minimum period of residency is two years.
Length of Program:
The maximum time to complete the MFA program as set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is four years.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
September 2025
University of Alberta
North Campus,
116 Street and 85 Avenue,
EDMONTON,
Alberta (AB),
T6G 2R3, Canada
The Department's minimum admission requirements for the MFA degree are normally a four-year degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last ?60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
English language requirement:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT): Total score of 90 with a score of at least 21 on each of the individual skill areas (internet-based) or equivalent; IELTS: 6.5, with at least 6.0; PTE Academic: 61 with a minimum band score of 60.
The application deadlines: July 1 for September admission; November 1 for January admission; March 1 for May admission; May 1 for July admission.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
One of Canada’s top teaching and research universities, the University of Alberta has an international reputation for academic excellence.