Overview

Students in this three-year, full-time graduate conservatory program have opportunities to work closely with professional faculty and guest artists, participating in fully mounted productions. Since the Theater Department is part of Temple’s interdisciplinary Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts, Theater-Design MFA students complete intensive training in the full range of theatrical design practice areas, including costume crafts, drawing and rendering, projection design, and model making.

Starting in your first year, and continuing on through the full duration of the program, you’ll assist in the creation of designs within professional productions. In your third year, you’ll produce a production-based thesis with a written component.

Full-time professional design faculty individually mentor each Theater-Design MFA student based on a customized and flexible curriculum. Through Temple’s informal affiliations in Philadelphia, you can explore internships with organizations including The Freedom Theatre, The Lighting Practice and The Philadelphia Theatre Company.

Future Career

Graduates with an MFA in Theater - Design at Temple University primarily go on to work in theater, as well as the entertainment industry and higher education.

Upon completion of the MFA Design program, you’ll be prepared for professional roles in arts education, entertainment or theater. Design graduate students often pursue roles as a

costume designer,
scenic artist,
scenic designer,
lighting designer,
property designer and
projection designer.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Seminar in Dramatic Literature

Scenic Design

Costume Design

Lighting Design

Design for TV and Film

History of Decor

History of Fashion

Drawing and Rendering Techniques

Draping and Flat Pattern Drafting

Costume Crafts

Theatrical Model Making

Scene Painting

Projection and Media Design

The Job Market

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-26 00:00:00

Apply anytime.
Starting 2027-01-13 00:00:00

Apply anytime.

More details

Application deadlines are determined by candidate interview schedules. Applications are processed on a semi-rolling basis throughout the spring.

Language

English

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Credits

60 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Philadelphia, United States

Disciplines

Design Drama View 256 other Masters in Drama in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Research your graduate degree program

Complete online application

Interview

Portfolio
Standardized Test Scores

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree is required.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

32680 USD / year

≈ 32680 USD / year
Out-of-State

32680 USD / year

≈ 32680 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

24420 USD / year

≈ 24420 USD / year

Living costs

Philadelphia

United States

1313 - 2284 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Theater - Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Overview

Future Career

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Philadelphia

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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