Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for THEATRE

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement

• By meeting the following criteria, you are eligible for admission. Separate admission to the Department of Theatre and Dance is not required:

• Earn a transfer associate degree

• Earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 for your associate degree

• Earn grades of "C" or higher in all your courses for the associate degree to be eligible to transfer those credits

• Please create an account through the www.TransferVirginia.org portal to register your intent to use this guarantee for admission to UMW

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/transfer/

• Register Intent to Transfer: After the first 15 credits, complete this form and submit to admit@umw.edu to receive application fee waiver: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/adult/ourcommitment/guaranteed-admission-... Additional details are available at TransferVirginia.org

• Admission Application: Apply by October 15 for spring admission, March 1 for summer admission, and April 1 for fall admission. Additional details and a transfer checklist are available at https://www.umw.edu/admissions/transfer/

• Financial Aid: https://www.umw.edu/financialaid/

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Apply by April 1 to ensure you receive the maximum aid for which you are eligible. FAFSA’s will still be accepted after the April 1 deadline. The required forms are found at studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org

• UMW requires proficiency in a second language as part of the general education requirements. This can be satisfied in a number of ways including completing four years of language in high school, transferring credits from a community college, or completing a sequence of language courses through the 201 level at UMW. All of the options for satisfying this requirement are found in the UMW Catalog: https://catalog.umw.edu/undergraduate/general-education/general-educatio...

• Keep in mind that half of your major credits must be earned at UMW and you need at least 60 (of 120) credits outside of THEA to complete your degree

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and the University of Mary Washington within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• The UMW theatre degree is based in practice—learning theatre, developing skills, and putting them to practice in the making of theatre

• Students pursue a capstone course in the specialty of their choosing in order to focus their education in a path that strengthens their vocational preparation

• While many of our graduates pursue professional careers in theatre, others use their experience in collaboration, planning, and leadership as a foundation for careers in education, business, development, and a variety of other industries

• Theatre is an art comprised of many specialties. The major provides opportunities to explore performance, directing, stage management, scenic and costume technology, audio production, design, arts administration, playwriting, fashion history, dramatic literature, and stage combat, among others, each of which has a potential career path

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Transfer students with a VCCS transferable associate degree have completed the UMW general education requirements except second language competency, digital intensive, diverse and global perspectives, after Mary Washington, and beyond the classroom general education requirements. Several of these requirements are integrated into the theatre major. UMW does allow students to satisfy these requirements through qualifying transfer coursework

• Dual Enrollment - Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Students participating in dual enrollment programs are considered as freshman applicants. Dual enrollment courses taken at the high school are treated identically with the same course when taken on a college campus; dual enrollment status does not affect the transferability of the course

• Credit for Prior Learning: UMW accepts credit for AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge, and other qualifying previous coursework. Equivalencies are provided here: https://academics.umw.edu/registrar/transfer-information/resources-and-p...

• Catalog Year: Students must complete general education requirements associated with the academic year that they enroll at UMW. Students complete major requirements associated with the academic year in which they declare their major

Is This College Right For Me?

• Home is precisely what UMW will come to feel like. Our campus is gorgeous, green, and full of opportunity. Join a club sports team. Audition for a musical. Lead the way in Student Government Association. Train with our esports team. Or sit back, relax, and take it all in from the cozy comfort of Ball Circle

• UMW is a small university located in suburban Fredericksburg, VA. We offer small class sizes and courses are taught by faculty committed to student learning and success

• UMW offers high impact experiences beyond the classroom. Faculty are committed to collaborating with students on research projects and outreach experiences

• UMW is located between Washington DC and Richmond, VA in the largest technology corridor in Virginia. UMW students enjoy a multitude of internship opportunities where they can apply their academic knowledge while gaining professional experience. UMW students receive support with resumes and job searches through the department and University resources and can earn academic credit for qualifying internship experiences

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org

Did You Know That…

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor’s degree.

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at UMW.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Our graduates work in the professional theatre as actors, technicians, designers, educators, and arts administrators. Some pursue graduate training in the field and teach in higher education

• Some graduates leverage their theatre degree in other fields—business, law, public policy, and healthcare. A UMW education will serve whatever direction your career takes

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org

Program Successes & Highlights

• We have graduates working in major regional theatres across the country, on Broadway, on national tours, and in ancillary entertainment industries

• Our significant student employment program provides jobs to students who hone their skills in the costume shop, scene shop, management office, and box office

• Our London study abroad program is focused on experiencing performances, as well as exploring important historic sites and the city’s rich theatrical heritage

• Upper-level students can enroll in a seminar class focused on the current professional theatre environment and travel to New York City for ten days to fulfill a significant research project and experience performances throughout the city

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• With an associate’s degree and a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA, you may qualify for UMW’s Guaranteed Admissions Agreement with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and Richard Bland College. Additional details are available here: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/transfer/our-commitment/guaranteedadmissi...

• Each fall, UMW enrolls approximately 300 students from the Virginia Community College System and other schools inside and outside of Virginia

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org

Do More With Your Degree!

• Many students pursue professional internships that lead to jobs after graduation

• Our experiential learning approach to teaching theatre provides many opportunities for students to create theatre, sometimes alongside faculty, as well as in our student-run studio theatre

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• Students must earn at least 30 credits at UMW as a degree-seeking student (not including physical education credits)

• Students must earn a GPA of 2.0 in both their major and overall coursework in order to complete their degree