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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Under 12 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Under 12 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

MFA Directing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Under 12 Students

Training

•The individually designed curriculum responds to each director's strengths, challenges, and professional goals through colloquium, scene study, design master class, dramatic literature, dramatic criticism, directed study, and a professional internship

•BU admits one or two directors each year, and the published average class size is six with a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio

Performance & Productions

•Students direct their own projects and complete a large-scale thesis production with a full team of designers in BU performance spaces including the Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre

Professional Development

•Collaborations connect directing students with actors, designers, playwrights, the Huntington Theatre Company, and Boston Playwrights' Theatre

Degree Flexibility

•An optional Artistic Director pathway adds BU Metropolitan College's graduate certificate in arts administration to the MFA curriculum

School Info

Snapshot

3.90

Avg GPA

11%

Admit Rate

school-wide

89%

Grad Rate

18.2K

Enrollment

$83K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$74,594

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$98,419

Before aid

Average Net Price

$24,402

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 1h ago

Program Highlights

Training

•BU admits one or two directors each year, and the published average class size is six with a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio

Performance & Productions

•Students direct their own projects and complete a large-scale thesis production with a full team of designers in BU performance spaces including the Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre

Professional Development

•Collaborations connect directing students with actors, designers, playwrights, the Huntington Theatre Company, and Boston Playwrights' Theatre

Degree Flexibility

•An optional Artistic Director pathway adds BU Metropolitan College's graduate certificate in arts administration to the MFA curriculum

Program Highlights

Training

•BU admits one or two directors each year, and the published average class size is six with a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio

Performance & Productions

•Students direct their own projects and complete a large-scale thesis production with a full team of designers in BU performance spaces including the Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre

Professional Development

•Collaborations connect directing students with actors, designers, playwrights, the Huntington Theatre Company, and Boston Playwrights' Theatre

Degree Flexibility

•An optional Artistic Director pathway adds BU Metropolitan College's graduate certificate in arts administration to the MFA curriculum

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Fee

CFA Graduate Application Fee

$95

Deadline

First-year applicants

Early Decision INov 2, 2026

Merit Scholarship ConsiderationDec 1, 2026

Early Decision IIRegular DecisionJan 5, 2027

Transfer applicants

TransferMar 15, 2027

Deadlines · bu.edu

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

Order

The university application must be submitted before the audition.

Apply

Acceptd

Application Process · bu.edu

Interview Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Resume (Required)

•List artistic work with dates

Transcript (Required)

•Upload unofficial transcripts from every college or university that awarded a degree, diploma, or certificate

Statement (Required)

•Describe your career path, ambitions, and reasons for studying at Boston University now

Essays (Required)

•Essay prompt: analyze a play you directed, including the script, conceptual and design ideas, and your personal connection to the work

•Essay prompt: propose and justify a three-play season for a theatre and audience of your own imagining

Letters of Recommendation (Required)

•Two letters of recommendation from theatre professionals

Portfolio (Required)

•Directing portfolio: material from two directed productions submitted through Acceptd

•Portfolio content may include concepts, scene breakdowns or play analyses, research, character breakdowns, emotional responses, artistic or mission statements, budgets, prompt books, and production photographs or excerpts

•Portfolio restriction: full-length production videos are not accepted

Scores / GPA (If Applicable)

•Submit English proficiency documentation when required

Application Process · bu.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Complete the Boston University College of Fine Arts Graduate Application and the MFA Directing portfolio through School of Theatre Acceptd

•BU reviews the Acceptd portfolio only after the CFA Graduate Application has been submitted

•The program prepares stage directors; applicants seeking film or television directing should apply through BU's College of Communication

•Applications submitted after the priority deadline are considered only as space remains

Eligibility

•Applicants must hold or expect to earn a bachelor's degree or equivalent

•Ideal applicants have three to five years of professional directing experience outside a university setting

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•The two-production directing portfolio is used for preliminary selection

•After reviewing both required submissions, BU invites a small number of applicants to a live interview

Scholarship Info

Graduate Support

•BU School of Theatre expects to substantially fund most accepted graduate students

•Awards may include up to full tuition, an assistantship, and a stipend

School Info

Snapshot

3.90

Avg GPA

11%

Admit Rate

school-wide

89%

Grad Rate

18.2K

Enrollment

$83K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$74,594

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$98,419

Before aid

Average Net Price

$24,402

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•BU admits one or two directors each year, and the published average class size is six with a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio

Performance & Productions

•Students direct their own projects and complete a large-scale thesis production with a full team of designers in BU performance spaces including the Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre

Professional Development

•Collaborations connect directing students with actors, designers, playwrights, the Huntington Theatre Company, and Boston Playwrights' Theatre

Degree Flexibility

•An optional Artistic Director pathway adds BU Metropolitan College's graduate certificate in arts administration to the MFA curriculum

Updated 1h ago