Program Details
BA in Theatre
Bachelor of ArtsRadford University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The Department of Theatre and Cinema offers liberal arts and pre-professional studies culminating in majors in one of two degrees (BA or BS) and minors in Theatre (a General Theatre Minor and a Theatre Performance Minor or a Theatre Production Minor) and a Cinematic Arts Minor. Students of theatre receive instruction that is rich in diverse perspectives and cross-disciplinary experiences. The department and students are supported by a strong production program which makes significant contributions to the cultural life of the university and community. Students are immersed in a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum emphasizing the study and practice of performance, directing, design/technical theatre, history and cinematic arts as well as preparing graduates to pursue a professional career in theatre or study at the post-baccalaureate level. The program provides a challenging variety of performance opportunities in classical, contemporary, musical and theatre for young audience productions. The Theatre Program is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and participation in department productions is open to all students enrolled in Radford University.
Program Overview & Guidance

| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes This program has a foreign language requirement. Student must be enrolled EACH semester in ONE of the following production courses: THEA 231, THEA 232, THEA 260, THEA 360 or THEA 476. Theatre majors must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in department courses for graduation. Theatre majors must complete all production assignments (a minimum of one per semester) and attend regular periodic reviews in order to remain in good standing as a major. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | |
| Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Radford 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 |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who complete an approved VCCS transfer-oriented associate degree (AA, AS, AA&S, or a SCHEV-approved General Studies transfer degree) are considered to have satisfied Radford’s Core/REAL lower-division general education requirements. Students must still complete all other University, college, departmental, major-specific, prerequisite, and Radford residency requirements. You enter as a junior with general education requirements met as indicated in the pathway map. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | You enter as a junior with general education requirements met as indicated in the pathway map. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | Radford awards credit for AP, CLEP, and IB when official scores meet Radford criteria; AP/CLEP scores and IB courses are evaluated like transfer credit. Dual enrollment credit requires an official college transcript. Students may also seek prior-learning credit for professional work or life experience, military training, CLEP, departmental challenge exams, and national certification exams. Students should submit official scores, transcripts, or Joint Services Transcripts, and confirm with the Registrar/transfer team or academic advisor how awarded credit applies to their degree and major requirements. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Radford University is a medium-sized public residential university in the city of Radford in southwest Virginia, with 7,837 students, 608 enrolled degree-seeking transfer students in Fall 2025, and an average class size of 20. Students learn across seven colleges and a growing Honors College, with 75 bachelor’s degree programs in 47 disciplines and academic options on the main Radford campus, Radford University Carilion in Roanoke, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, and online. Incoming freshmen on the main campus are required to live on campus for two academic years unless exempt; transfer and RUC students are welcome to live on campus but are not required. Students can get involved through 200+ clubs and organizations, Division I athletics, outdoor recreation opportunities, and transfer-focused options such as Tartan Transfer. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Generally, transfer students use the catalog year in effect when they first enroll at Radford University; under the VCCS/Radford GAA, students may request the catalog from the time of first post-high-school enrollment in an eligible VCCS associate degree, subject to GAA conditions. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the academic catalog year the student enters Radford University. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | VCCS/Radford GAA: Complete an eligible transfer-oriented associate degree, earn a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher, be in good academic and disciplinary standing, follow normal transfer admission timelines, and submit official transcripts from all colleges attended plus a final official transcript showing associate-degree completion. There are no GAA testing requirements and Radford does not charge an application fee. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre, Technical Theatre Specialization | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Hollins University | BA in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Dance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Musical Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Batten University | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Mary Baldwin University | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Theater, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Theater, BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| William & Mary | Theatre - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Theatre/Dance-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bridgewater College | Theatre Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bluefield University | BA in Communication Arts - Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bluefield University | BS in Communication Arts - Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Regent University | B.A. in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph College | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: Acting Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph College | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: Directing Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph College | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: Design and Technology Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Costume Design/Technical Production, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Lighting Design/Technical Production, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Performance, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Performance/Musical Theatre, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Scene Design/Technical Production, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Theatre with concentration in Stage Management/Technical Production, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Averett University | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Theatre: Directing and Stage Mgmt (BFA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Theatre (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Theatre: Musical (BFA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Theatre: Production and Design (BFA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Theatre: Performance (BFA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Theatre (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in Theatre Arts in Cinema | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in Theatre Arts in Theatre Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Theater | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27-2011.00 | Actors | Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 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 |
| 27-2099.00 | Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | All entertainers and performers, sports and related workers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-2012.03 | Media Programming Directors | Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-2012.05 | Media Technical Directors/Managers | Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-2012.00 | Producers and Directors | Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-2012.04 | Talent Directors | Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
Cost To Complete

