The Theatre & Performance Studies (TAPS) Master of Arts program is a 30 credit hour degree that is completed in four semesters (excluding summers). Students are encouraged to participate in theatre and dance projects both within the department and in the community and may receive elective credit for acting, directing, dramaturgy and design.
Coursework
Tracks
The MA degree has two tracks, the thesis and the non-thesis track.
Thesis Track
This track prepares students to pursue a PhD degree at CU or elsewhere. Students must write a 25-55 page thesis, a substantial research document demonstrating mature critical thought based on independent study and investigation. Thesis track students take a comprehensive exam in their final semester comprised of two 1 hour oral examinations back-to-back on the same day. The first hour covers coursework and the second hour is a discussion of the thesis.
Non-Thesis Track
Students who do not plan to pursue a PhD can elect the non-thesis track听which听provides for a wider expanse of career preparation. Students in this track will complete a final project that will serve as a unifying goal for their MA experience. This project might be a creative project, a research study, a management project, an engaged performance experience, or beyond.听Non-thesis track students take a two-part comprehensive exam in their final semester comprised of听a take home written exam and a听1.5 hour oral exam. The written exam covers听coursework and the oral exam is a discussion of听the written exam and final project.