Students must complete 36 credits over three consecutive semesters (summer, fall, spring). The Masters program requires full-time enrollment. Full time enrollment entails taking 3 four-credit courses during each semester. Students must achieve grades of 'B' or better for each course in order to graduate and must complete at least 24 credits with resident faculty.
Before registration each semester, all students must receive approval of their schedule from their Performance Studies faculty advisor. MA students are required to take Introduction to Performance Studies (H42.1000) during their initial summer semester and Projects in Performance Studies (H42.2000) during their final spring semester. MA students are permitted to take 1 course outside the department. Incoming students are not permitted to take an outside course during their first semester. The course must be an academic course.
MA students are permitted to take 1 practical workshop during their course of studies in the department. The only practical courses that count toward the MA degree are Performance Composition (H42.2730), offered during both the Fall and Spring semesters, and East Coast Artists Workshop (H42.2760), offered each Summer. The department invites various prominent artists/activists/scholars to teach Performance Composition, please consult the Course Offerings page on this website for past course descriptions. Students may petition to take 1 additional practical course in lieu of the one course allowed outside the department.
Department policy does not permit students to receive grades of Incomplete. However, in exceptional circumstances, some allowance may be considered. Students must submit an Incomplete Work Form (please consult the Forms page) to the Administrative Director. Please note that this form requires the approval of both the individual professor teaching the course in question, and the department Chair. It is the individual student's responsibility to investigate the implications an Incomplete grade could have on their financial aid.
Students may transfer 4 graduate credits from another institution, with permission of the Chair and the TSOA Director of Graduate Admissions. Requests for transfer credits must be made during the student's first semester in the department. Currently enrolled Master's students interested in continuing into the department's Ph.D program must apply between the Fall and Spring semesters. Contact the Administrative Director for details on the application procedures. Applicants are reminded to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1.
