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College of Creative Arts and Media School of Theatre and Dance

Costume Design and Technology, MFA

Study in the area of costume design takes you through an introduction to the elements of design, drawing, and costume history. The course of study then moves toward an intensive application of designing the character in the world of the play through coursework, practical design, and construction.

As an MFA in Costume Design and Technology student, you’ll receive training in:

  • Drawing
  • Developing a portfolio
  • Costume construction
  • Costume crafts
  • Pattern drafting
  • Draping
  • Prosthetics construction
  • Puppetry
  • Mask making
  • Makeup
  • Wig construction

Faculty includes:

Your Degree Plan

Learn the elements of design, drawing, and costume history in a course of study that moves you through the process of designing complete characters.

The MFA in Costume Design and Technology requires 60 credit hours and can be completed in 6 semesters (3 years).

With an emphasis on hands-on learning in a rigorous production environment, our MFA programs provide you with significant experience to develop and hone your craft. You will graduate with a significant portfolio of realized work. Furthermore, you’ll receive real-world teaching experience at the university level under the guidance of our faculty. Upon completion of the program, you are prepared for entrance into the professional markets of entertainment and academia.

Assistantships, tuition waivers, and scholarships are available.

School of Theatre and Dance MFA programs are accredited by the National Association of the Schools of Theatre and are terminal degrees.

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

Costume Design and Technology students must design at least 2 major productions, at least 1 of which must be fully mounted for the public.

Places and Spaces

See where you’ll study, research, and create.

View of Creative Arts Center from a distance on a spring day

Canady Creative Arts Center

The Loulie, Valerie, and William Canady Creative Arts center boasts 4 exhibition spaces, 5 performance spaces, 33 individual practice rooms, and 50 classrooms and studios with plenty of space to create. The loading dock at the rear of the building is a wonderful open-air space with stunning acoustics.
Explore the Canady Creative Arts Center
Costume sketches stacked on a work table

Theatrical Costume Studio

The School of Theatre and Dance costume studio is set up to meet all the demands of our fully produced productions. The studio contains industry standard equipment, including 16 high-end commercial sewing machines and sergers, as well as 3 industrial machines. The costume studio contains spaces for classes and for production work. Areas include dying, crafts, wigs, fittings, and cutting and draping.

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Requirements

To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelor's degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75. WVU operates decentralized admissions. Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.

Admission Requirements

Additional application considerations:

  • Portfolio (Physical)
  • Interview (Please contact the Program Coordinator for more information regarding the additional application materials)

Applications that are incomplete or are submitted after the deadline may be reviewed if openings remain.

International applicants must also submit the materials required for international applicants.

Application Deadlines

Each graduate program sets their own terms for admission and application deadlines. Applicants can only apply for admission for the terms displayed below. Any questions regarding the application deadline should be directed to the graduate program representative.

  • Fall: August 1
  • Spring: January 1

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Want to know more about Costume Design and Technology at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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