USC
University of Southern California
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Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Bachelor of Fine Arts provides four years of intensive training at the undergraduate level in performance studies including acting, design, stage management and technical direction. A total of 128 units of course work is required for this degree, including a minimum range of 75-84 theatre units depending on the requirements of each program.

All B.F.A. Theatre majors are required to earn a grade point average of 2.75 (A = 4.0) in their theatre courses each semester. B.F.A. students who fail to earn a GPA of 2.75 in their theatre courses will be placed on probation the following semester. Students who remain on probation for a consecutive second semester will be disqualified from the B.F.A. program.

A student disqualified from continued study in the B.F.A. program for failing to meet the GPA standards outlined above will be given the option of transferring into the B.A. program.

General Education Requirements

The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which together comprise the USC Core. See here and here for more information.

Required Courses for the Acting Emphasis (84 units)Units
THTR 110Dramatic Analysis2
THTR 115Movement I2
THTR 120abActing I2-2
THTR 130Introduction to Theatrical Production2-2
THTR 140abVoice I2-2
THTR 210Theory and Practice of World Theatre I4
THTR 211Theory and Practice of World Theatre II4
THTR 212Theory and Practice of World Theatre III4
THTR 215abMovement II2-2
THTR 220abIntermediate Acting I2-2
THTR 240abVoice II2-2
THTR 315abPhysical Theatre I2-2
THTR 320abIntermediate Acting II2-2
THTR 340abIntermediate Voice2-2
THTR 397Theatre Practicum2-2-2
THTR 415abPhysical Theatre II2-2
THTR 420abAdvanced Acting2-2
THTR 440abAdvanced Voice2-2
THTR 471Senior Showcase2
THTR 480aPerformance for Camera2
THTR 497Advanced Theatre Practicum2

One course from:
THTR 305aDirecting4
THTR 365Playwriting I4

One course from:
THTR 300Introduction to Modern Drama4
THTR 301Greek and Roman Theatre4
THTR 302Shakespeare in His World4
THTR 303The Performing Arts4
THTR 313Comedy of Manners4
THTR 314Advanced Topics in Modern Drama4
THTR 393Cultural Identities in Performance4
THTR 395Drama as Human Relations4
THTR 396God, Drama and Entertainment4
THTR 404Acting Theory4
THTR 476African American Theatre4

Required Courses for the Design Emphasis (83 units)Units
THTR 101Introduction to Acting4
THTR 125Text Studies for Production4
THTR 130Introduction to Theatrical Production4
THTR 210Theory and Practice of World Theatre I4
THTR 211Theory and Practice of World Theatre II4
THTR 212Theory and Practice of World Theatre III4
THTR 222Stage Make-up2
THTR 230Communicating Theatrical Design Concepts3
THTR 231abCostume Construction3-3
THTR 232Stage Lighting3
THTR 305aDirecting4
THTR 330Scene Design I4
THTR 331Costume Design I4
THTR 332Lighting Design I4
THTR 333Stage Management I3
THTR 407abDrawing and Rendering for the Theatre2-2
THTR 435Advanced Theatrical Drafting3
THTR 437Scene Painting3
THTR 493abPeriods and Styles2-2

Two courses (6 units) from:
THTR 432aScene Design II3
THTR 433aCostume Design II3
THTR 434aLighting Design II3

Two courses (6 units) from:
THTR 432bScene Design II3
THTR 433bCostume Design II3
THTR 434bLighting Design II3

Required Courses for the Stage Management Emphasis (77 units)Units
THTR 101Introduction to Acting4
THTR 125Text Studies for Production4
THTR 130Introduction to Theatrical Production4
THTR 210Theory and Practice of World Theatre I4
THTR 211Theory and Practice of World Theatre II4
THTR 212Theory and Practice of World Theatre III4
THTR 230Communicating Theatrical Design Concepts3
THTR 231abCostume Construction3-3
THTR 232Stage Lighting3
THTR 305aDirecting4
THTR 333Stage Management I3
THTR 397Theatre Practicum4
THTR 430Stage Management II3
THTR 436Sound for Theatre3
THTR 487Promotion for the Performing Arts4
THTR 491Theatre Organization and Administration4
THTR 492Producing Theatre4
THTR 493abPeriods and Styles2-2
THTR 494Raising Money for the Arts4
THTR 497Advanced Theatre Practicum4

Required Courses for the Technical direction Emphasis (77 units)Units
THTR 101Introduction to Acting4
THTR 125Text Studies for Production4
THTR 130Introduction to Theatrical Production4
THTR 210Theory and Practice of World Theatre I4
THTR 211Theory and Practice of World Theatre II4
THTR 212Theory and Practice of World Theatre III4
THTR 230Communicating Theatrical Design Concepts3
THTR 232Stage Lighting3
THTR 305aDirecting4
THTR 330Scene Design I4
THTR 332Lighting Design I4
THTR 333Stage Management I3
THTR 335Scenic Construction3
THTR 397Theatre Practicum6
THTR 430Stage Management II3
THTR 435Advanced Theatrical Drafting3
THTR 436Sound for Theatre3
THTR 437Scene Painting3
THTR 438Technical Theatre3
THTR 493abPeriods and Styles2-2
THTR 497Advanced Theatre Practicum4