CONTACT
Ashley Rivera
Senior Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator
512-232-2741
Overview
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Education degree plan is a nationally recognized, pre-professional program for students interested in teaching theatre at the high school, middle school or elementary school level.
Outstanding faculty offer students a comprehensive curriculum in theatre, drama, technical theatre and educational methods combined with in-depth field and student teaching experiences.
The B.F.A. in Theatre Education degree plan leads to K-12 theatre teacher certification. Students wishing to study theatre who do not plan to seek teaching certification should apply to the B.A. in Theatre and Dance.
There are more than 20 performance opportunities each year for students majoring in theatre. Many productions are student-produced, providing opportunities to develop new skills as directors, writers, production managers, designers and dramaturgs.
Application Requirements
First-Year (Freshman) Application Procedures
1. SUBMIT THE COMMON APP APPLICATION
Available: August 1, 2025
Deadline: December 1, 2025
All applicants must submit a freshman university application via Common App. This university application will include:
- Application
- Fee
- Essay
- Short answers
- Transcript(s)
- Official SAT or ACT scores
- Other required or optional materials, if applicable
- Scholarship interest form
For a full list of application requirements, please visit the Office of Admissions website.
2. SUBMIT THEATRE AND DANCE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Available: September 1, 2025
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Applicants will be required to submit the prescreen materials listed below. Select applicants may be invited to attend an in-person or virtual interview.
- College of Fine Arts application
- Headshot – this does not have to be a professional headshot. It can be a clear image taken on your mobile device.
- Short Answer: Describe a specific moment when you realized that a degree in theatre education would be a good option for you.
- Video Introduction and Teaching Demo: Please introduce yourself and your hometown and tell us a fun fact about yourself. Then, teach a brief lesson about something fun and easy. For example, you could teach us how to make a PB&J, or teach about why dogs are better than cats. Your video should be approximately 1-2 minutes in length.
The portal to submit a Theatre and Dance application will be accessible via the applicant’s MyStatus portal after submitting the Common Application.
APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR FIRST-YEAR APPLICANTS
| Common App application for admittance in Fall 2026 opens. | August 1, 2025 |
| Department of Theatre and Dance application opens. | September 1, 2025 |
| Common App application deadline. | December 1, 2025 |
| Deadline for students to submit all additional application items, including Theatre and Dance application. | December 1, 2025 |
View a full list of important application dates and deadlines.
External Transfer Application Procedures
1. SUBMIT THE COMMON APP APPLICATION
Available: August 1, 2025
Deadline: March 1, 2026
All applicants must submit a transfer university application via Common App. This university application will include:
- Application
- Fee
- Essay
- Short answers
- Transcript(s)
- Official SAT or ACT scores
- Other required or optional materials, if applicable
- Scholarship interest form
For a full list of application requirements, please visit the Office of Admissions website.
2. SUBMIT THEATRE AND DANCE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Available: September 1, 2025
Deadline: March 10, 2026
Applicants will be required to submit the prescreen materials listed below. Select applicants may be invited to attend an in-person or virtual interview.
- College of Fine Arts application
- Headshot – this does not have to be a professional headshot. It can be a clear image taken on your mobile device.
- Short Answer: Describe a specific moment when you realized that a degree in theatre education would be a good option for you.
- Video Introduction and Teaching Demo: Please introduce yourself and your hometown and tell us a fun fact about yourself. Then, teach a brief lesson about something fun and easy. For example, you could teach us how to make a PB&J, or teach about why dogs are better than cats. Your video should be approximately 1-2 minutes in length.
The portal to submit a Theatre and Dance application will be accessible via the applicant’s MyStatus portal after submitting the Common Application.
APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR EXTERNAL TRANSFER APPLICANTS
| Common App application for admittance in Fall 2026 opens. | August 1, 2025 |
| Department of Theatre and Dance application for external transfers opens. | September 1, 2025 |
| Common App application deadline. | March 1, 2026 |
| Deadline for students to submit all additional application items, including Theatre and Dance application. | March 10, 2026 |
View a full list of important application dates and deadlines.
Internal Transfer (Change or Add Major) Application Procedures
1. COMPLETE THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN INTERNAL TRANSFER APPLICATION
Available: February 1, 2026
Deadline: May 1, 2026
An interview with Theatre Education faculty is required for admission to the B.F.A. in Theatre Education program. Sign up for an interview time by completing the Internal Transfer Application. Further information about Theatre and Dance application requirements will be available in January, 2026.
For more information regarding the internal transfer process, please visit the Office of Admissions Internal Transfer website.
APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS (CHANGE OR ADD MAJOR)
| Application for internal transfers (change of major) opens. | February 1, 2026 |
| Deadline to submit all application requirements. | May 1, 2026 |
View a full list of important application dates and deadlines.
Sample Curriculum
| FIRST YEAR | SECOND YEAR | THIRD YEAR | FOURTH YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
Technical Theatre Acting I & II Performance as Public Practice Production Shop | Theatre History I & II Costume/Lighting/Scene Design TD Upper Division Teaching Cert: PSY 304, PSY 309, EDP 350G, or HDF 313 & 113L | Directing I & II Creative Drama I & II Young Audiences Costume/Lighting/Scene Design Teaching Cert: Individual Differences Teaching Cert: Teaching Theatre TD Upper Division | Directing the Young Performer (DYP) Teaching Cert: School Organization & Classroom Management Teaching Cert: Designs for Instruction Directing Project Teaching Cert: All-Level Teaching Practicum |
The schedule and availability of Theatre and Dance courses changes each semester. The courses listed above are examples for this focus. Students must also fulfill The University of Texas at Austin’s core curriculum, department core, and elective requirements.
DOWNLOAD SAMPLE DEGREE PLAN:
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