Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Arts Administration
Bachelor of ArtsChristopher Newport University
A theater education at Christopher Newport University combines hands-on experience in all aspects of stagecraft— acting, directing, playwriting, music-theater/dance, design/ technical theater, stage management and theater management with a critical appreciation of dramatic literature and theater history. A rigorous yet flexible curriculum balances classroom study with practical production application. Our production season includes four ambitious mainstage offerings, a dance concert, one-act and science play festivals, and additional second stage productions.Theater and Dance, which produces under the banner TheaterCNU, practices professionalism. Through small classes, attentive advising and active collaboration, the faculty of professional theater artists, scholars and practitioners mentor the artistic development and academic progress of each student. The department prepares its graduates for a variety of professional opportunities, graduate study and careers in theater education. Theater and Dance is housed in Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts: a state-of-the-art performance and teaching facility housing two theaters of 440 and 125 seats, along with scenic and costume shops, design labs, dance and rehearsal studios, and classrooms. Christopher Newport University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). The program requires incentive and commitment—in the classroom, the rehearsal hall, backstage and in performance. The program expects all students to embrace appropriate discipline and professional conduct. These expectations, policies and practices are clearly articulated in the TheaterCNU Handbook. The Handbook is updated each year and is used in conjunction with this catalog when framing a student’s course of study in theater.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
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Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Christopher Newport University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of a Virginia Community College System (VCCS) transfer-oriented degree program (Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts & Science) will satisfy the CNU general education component of the undergraduate curriculum with the exception of the Second Language (foreign language) Literacy Requirement. The Second Language Literacy Requirement may be met in one of the following ways: a) Transfer of 201 or higher level foreign language course or b) Completion of a 200-level or higher foreign language course at CNU. Note that three (3) years of high school language study (in the same language) or a 102-level foreign language course is a prerequisite for a CNU 200-level foreign language course.
Completion of a transfer-oriented associate of fine arts degree from a VCCS college will satisfy Christopher Newport lower-level liberal learning requirements with the exception of one mathematics course (CNU's MATH 115 or higher) satisfying the Mathematical Literacy Liberal Learning Foundation requirement and one science lecture satisfying the Investigating the Natural World Area of Inquiry. Christopher Newport also requires completion of a 200-level language course or higher in a second language in order to graduate. If these requirements are not fulfilled during completion of the associate degree, they must be completed at Christopher Newport. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Completion of a Virginia Community College System (VCCS) transfer-oriented degree program (Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts & Science) in high school will satisfy of the CNU general education component of the undergraduate curriculum with the exception of the Second Language (foreign language) Literacy Requirement. The Second Language Literacy Requirement may be met in one of the following ways: a) Transfer of 201 or higher level foreign language course or b) Completion of a 200-level or higher foreign language course at CNU. Note that three (3) years of high school language study (in the same language) or a 102-level foreign language course is a prerequisite for a CNU 200-level foreign language course. Students earning an associate degree while in high school are not eligible for VCCS/CNU guaranteed admission programs. VCCS students who complete the associate degree while enrolled in high school and have not enrolled in college in a regular semester (fall/spring) post high school graduation, must apply to CNU as first-time freshmen applicants.
Completion of a transfer-oriented associate of fine arts degree from a VCCS college will satisfy Christopher Newport lower-level liberal learning requirements with the exception of one mathematics course (CNU's MATH 115 or higher) satisfying the Mathematical Literacy Liberal Learning Foundation requirement and one science lecture satisfying the Investigating the Natural World Area of Inquiry. Christopher Newport also requires completion of a 200-level language course or higher in a second language in order to graduate. If these requirements are not fulfilled during completion of the associate degree, they must be completed at Christopher Newport. |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://cnu.edu/admission/transfer/credit/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | At Christopher Newport University, we have approximately 4,500 students with about 200 transfers enrolling each year. We offer more than 90 areas of study, from electrical engineering to philosophy of law, from music performance to accounting. All programs are grounded in our rigorous liberal arts and sciences core curriculum - cited by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni as the strongest core curriculum of any public college or university in America. With 60 percent of our classes having 19 or fewer students, our small class sizes give you direct access to experts in their fields - teacher-scholars who provide outstanding instruction, conduct groundbreaking research (often with your help!), and publish noteworthy books and articles. We also have more than 200 clubs and student organizations and 24 varsity teams that compete in NCAA Division III. We're located in Newport News, Virginia, in the heart of one of the most historic and beautiful areas of the United States. When you venture off campus, you'll find unlimited activities for all interests as well as cultural and historical treasures within a short walk or drive. Our residence halls and apartment complexes win rave reviews from students and parents alike. In fact, The Princeton Review ranked our residence halls among the top in the nation in the group's Best College Dorms category. While transfer students are not required to live on-campus, many do! Housing is offered on a space-available basis. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | By term of entry at CNU. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | By term of entry at CNU. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | If you attend a Virginia Community College System (VCCS) school and have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher, you may be eligible for the Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA). GAA students are those who graduate from a transfer-oriented degree program at a Virginia community college within two years of enrollment at Christopher Newport with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher on a four-point scale and who intends to transfer to CNU. Other GAAs exist for Virginia Peninsula, Rappahannock, and Richard Bland. Please visit our website: https://cnu.edu/admission/transfer/
You must complete a Letter of Intent to transfer to CNU under the GAA after a minimum of 15 credit hours is completed toward the associate degree and before applying for graduation from the community college. You must maintain continuous enrollment in all non-summer terms from the point of declaration until the associate degree is conferred and must transfer to Christopher Newport in the semester designated under the Letter of Intent. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Film Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Photo Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Music, A.F.A. | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts in Art | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts in Theatre/Drama | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Ferrum College | B.F.A. in Music and Theatre: Professional Stage Performance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Art - Art Education PK-12 BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Art Studio - Artist’s Books and Printmaking BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Art Studio - Design in Craft BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Art Studio - Painting/Drawing BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Art Studio - Photography BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Music - Piano Pedagogy Emphasis BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Music BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Music Education PK-12 - Choral Track BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Music Education PK-12 - Instrumental Track BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Performance BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Theatre - Specialist in Design and Technology BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Theatre - Specialist in Performance BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Theatre Education PK-12 BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Theatre Generalist BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Richard Bland College | Associate of Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Art and Visual Technology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Art and Visual Technology, BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BA in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Art: Studio (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-1019.00 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other | All artists and related workers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1012.00 | Craft Artists | Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1013.00 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-4021.00 | Photographers | Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
Cost To Complete
