Abstract
This article examines the proliferation and sustainability of Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree programs in theatre, arguing that the rapid increase in such programs has created a system-wide imbalance between available training opportunities and viable employment for graduates. Drawing on data from the National Association of Schools of Theatre and the University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA), the discussion documents trends in enrollment, expenses, and recruitment practices that contribute to what the author describes as an “anemic” marketplace. The analysis identifies administrative pressure to maintain full-time equivalencies (FTE) and high enrollment as a driving factor in lowering admissions standards and expanding program size. Case examples illustrate how institutional imperatives for recruitment often undermine artistic and pedagogical quality. The article concludes that overproduction of MFA graduates has diminished the degree’s professional and academic value and suggests alternatives such as program consolidation or consortium-based training models to restore quality and balance in advanced theatre education.
Recommended Citation
Green, Russell E.
(1987)
"MFA Degree Programs: Where Are They Going?,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 59, Article 22.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol59/iss1/22
