What Are the Best MFA Programs in Directing?

<h2 id="section---WhatAreSomeCharacteristicsOfTheBestMFAProgramsInDirecting">What Are Some Characteristics of the Best MFA Programs in Directing?</h2> <p>Top directing programs provide multiple opportunities to stage your work, and may help you arrange internships or showcases. They also hire faculty who are accomplished writers, actors, and directors who provide guidance. You might want to look at programs that prepare you for both classical and contemporary work. If you're interested in working in film and/or television, you should look for a school that allows you to do so; many directing programs just focus on theatre. </p> <h2 id="section---ThreeGoodMFAProgramsInDirecting">Three Good MFA Programs in Directing</h2> <h3 id="section---BrownUniversityInProvidenceRI">Brown University in Providence, RI</h3> <p>Brown University was ranked #14 on <i>U.S. News and World Report's</i> list of Best National Universities in 2019. In conjunction with the Tony award-winning Trinity Repertory Theatre, Brown offers a 3-year program leading to a Master of Fine Arts in Directing. </p> <p>Brown's program seeks to produce theatre professionals who are versatile and can collaborate with others. You'll gain broad theatre experience, not only in directing but in acting and playwriting, through working on projects with your peers in these areas. You'll take classes in dramaturgy, directing, acting and design. Later on, you'll assist with the direction of two main stage productions and direct three productions that will include at least one classical and one new play. You'll also direct a workshop production and your thesis project. </p> <ul><li>Master of Fine Arts in Directing </li></ul><h3 id="section---CarnegieMellonUniversityInPittsburghPA">Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA</h3> <p>Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) hosts the oldest drama program in the country. Graduates have won Academy, Tony and Emmy Awards. This school was ranked #25 on <i>U.S. News and World Report's</i> 2019 list of Best National Universities. </p> <p>The John Wells Directing Program in the School of Drama is available to both BFA and MFA students. To be a John Wells Directing Fellow in the 3-year MFA in Directing program, you'll need at least three years of professional directing experience. You'll work in the lab integrating media and video. You'll also be involved in progressively more complex productions, beginning with one-act plays, to be presented within the School of Drama's subscription series. </p> <p>You'll work collaboratively with playwrights involved in the dramatic writing program. Visiting artists may provide feedback on the four productions you'll develop each year. You'll also direct your thesis project. You'll be able to direct original television projects through a local TV station. The School of Drama arranges showcase presentations in New York City and Los Angeles. </p> <ul><li>Master of Fine Arts in Directing </li></ul><h3 id="section---UniversityOfTexasAtAustin">University of Texas at Austin</h3> <p>UT Austin was also listed on <i>U.S. News and World Report's</i> 2019 list of Best National Universities, at #49. This university's MFA in Directing program, administered through the Department of Theatre and Dance, is a professional training program geared toward theatre professionals who already possess a level of expertise. The program's growing national reputation rests on collaborations with two Equity theatres and the production of independent student work. </p> <p>The department hosts visiting stage directors, award-winning actors and other professionals. During your 3-year program, you'll develop skills in script analysis and working with actors, writers and designers, and take units of coursework in playwriting, directing, acting and design. You'll also take elective courses outside of the department. In your third year, you'll complete a professional internship and produce a thesis. </p> <ul><li>Master of Fine Arts in Directing </li></ul><h2 id="section---TenTopMFAInDirectingSchools">Ten Top MFA in Directing Schools</h2> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>College/University</th><th>Institution Type</th><th>Location</th><th>Estimated Graduate In-State Tuition*</th></tr> <tr><td>Yale University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>New Haven, CT</td><td>$42,000</td></tr> <tr><td>Northwestern University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td> Evanston, IL</td><td>$55,000</td></tr> <tr><td>California Institute of the Arts</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Valencia, CA</td><td>$49,000</td></tr> <tr><td>University of California, San Diego</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>San Diego, CA</td><td>$13,500</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Iowa</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>Iowa City, IA</td><td>$11,000</td></tr> <tr><td>Temple University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Philadelphia, PA</td><td>$17,000</td></tr> <tr><td>Baylor University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Waco, TX</td><td>$34,000</td></tr> <tr><td>Columbia University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>New York, NY</td><td>$48,000</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Nevada - Las Vegas</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>Las Vegas, NV</td><td>$6,000</td></tr> </table><p><i>*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education</i></p>