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College of Creative Arts and Media School of Theatre and Dance

Scenic Design and Technology, MFA

Training in Scene Design at WVU starts with mastering basic design skills and advances to creating intricate stage worlds. Our program combines practical problem-solving with conceptual ideas to enhance and extend the meaning of performances.

Your training will include:

  • Traditional techniques and industry-standard digital media
  • Design
  • Model building
  • SketchUp
  • AutoCAD
  • Vectorworks
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Scene painting
  • Stage properties
  • Teaching

Your Degree Plan

Master the advanced creation of stage worlds using a combination of practical problem solving with conceptual ideas to extend the performance’s meaning.

The MFA in Scenic Design and Technology requires 61 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.

Scenic 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
Student using a saw in the scene shop

Theatrical Scene Shop

The scene shop for the School of Theatre and Dance features 2, 4,000-square-foot levels housing scenery, props, painting, lighting, and sound production. Comprised of wood- and metal-working equipment and a paint frame that travels between the shops.

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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

Request Info

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

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