Theatre Arts Major (B.A./B.S.)
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S. Minimum Credits Required: 120
University Degree Requirements
For complete details on these and other university degree requirements, refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section in the University Catalog.
- Minimum of 120 semester credits (some programs may exceed this minimum).
- Complete the University General Education requirements.
- Minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
- Minimum of 30 credits in resident at NDSU.
- Minimum of 36 upper level credits (courses numbered 300 or higher).
- Students with transfer credit must meet the NDSU 30 credits in residence (#4). Of these 30 credits in residence, a minimum of 15 credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 credits must be in the student's declared major curricula.
University General Education Requirements
A list of university approved general education courses along with the administrative policies governing the requirement and the categories is available
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Category C: Communication | 12 | |
| Category R: Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Category S: Science and Technology | 10 | |
| Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts | 6 | |
| Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences | 6 | |
| Category W: Wellness | 2 | |
| Category I: Intercultural Knowledge and Competence | ||
| Category L: Digital Literacy | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| THEA 110 | Introduction to Theatre Arts | 3 |
| THEA 161 | Acting I | 3 |
| THEA 180 | Dramatic Literature and Style I | 3 |
| THEA 270 & THEA 220 | Stagecraft and Stagecraft Lab | 4 |
| THEA 271 & THEA 221 | Costume Craft and Costume Craft Lab | 4 |
| THEA 280 | World Theatre 1 | 3 |
| or THEA 115 | World Film | |
| THEA 365 | Directing I | 3 |
| THEA 450 | Capstone Experience | 3 |
| THEA 480 | History and Literature of Theatre I | 3 |
| THEA 371 | Introduction to Design: Scenic Design 2 | 3 |
| or THEA 373 | Lighting and Sound Design for the Theatre | |
| or THEA 375 | Costume Design for the Theatre | |
| Practicum - 8 credits from the following: | 8 | |
| Theatre Practicum (May be repeated multiple times; 1-2 credits) | ||
| Stage Management Practicum and Seminar (May be repeated multiple times; 2 credits) | ||
| Option | ||
| Select one for the two options listed below to complete this major: Theatre Generalist (15 credits) or Design & Technology (24 credits) | 15-24 | |
Option One: Theatre Generalist
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 15 credits from the following courses. A minimum of 9 of the 15 credits must be 300 level or above: | 15 | |
| World Film 1 | ||
| Storytelling | ||
| Introduction to Dance | ||
| Voice and Movement for the Actor | ||
| Drawing for the Theatre | ||
| Theatrical Makeup Design | ||
| Scenic Painting | ||
| World Theatre 1 | ||
| Devising | ||
| Acting III: Advanced Realism | ||
| Dance Styles for Theatre | ||
| Advanced Acting | ||
| Acting the Song | ||
| Technical Theatre Production | ||
| Introduction to Design: Scenic Design 2 | ||
| Lighting and Sound Design for the Theatre 2 | ||
| Costume Design for the Theatre 2 | ||
| Faculty-Led Study Abroad | ||
| Period Style for Performance | ||
| Acting Styles | ||
| Advanced Voice for the Actor | ||
| Advanced Movement for the Actor | ||
| Directing II | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Option Two: Design & Technology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Take the two classes not taken in the core: 2 | 6 | |
| Introduction to Design: Scenic Design | ||
| Lighting and Sound Design for the Theatre | ||
| Costume Design for the Theatre | ||
| Students must take a minimum of 18 credits from the courses listed below. A minimum of 9 of the 18 credits must be 300-400 level. THEA 370 may be taken twice. | 18 | |
| Drawing for the Theatre | ||
| Theatrical Makeup Design | ||
| Scenic Painting | ||
| Period Style for Performance | ||
| Technical Theatre Production (May be repeated twice; 3 or 6 credits) | ||
| Stage Management | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
- 1
A student must take either THEA 115 or THEA 280 in the major core requirement and can take the other course in Option One: Theatre Generalist as an elective.
- 2
A student must take one of the THEA 371/373/375 courses for the core major requirement. If a student is completing Option One: Theatre Generalist, the other two can be taken as electives. If a student is completing Option Two: Design and Technology, all three classes are required.
Degree Requirements & Notes:
- Students must earn a grade of C or better in all THEA prefix courses.