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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 Lighting Design

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 program develops a lighting designer's individual artistic voice and the ability to use light in support of story, theme, text, music, and movement through supervised assignments and classroom exploration

•Average classes range from five to eight students with a 2:1 student-to-instructor ratio; final-year work culminates in a thesis exploring complex ideas in lighting and theatre

Performance & Productions

•Multiple annual design assignments let students apply skills across a broad range of theatrical storytelling and production contexts

Professional Development

•On-site internships, professional faculty mentorship, one-on-one conferences, and ties to Boston theatre organizations support the transition into professional design practice

Facilities

•Classwork, workshops, and productions use BU's advanced lighting-design and production facilities

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

•Average classes range from five to eight students with a 2:1 student-to-instructor ratio; final-year work culminates in a thesis exploring complex ideas in lighting and theatre

Performance & Productions

•Multiple annual design assignments let students apply skills across a broad range of theatrical storytelling and production contexts

Professional Development

•On-site internships, professional faculty mentorship, one-on-one conferences, and ties to Boston theatre organizations support the transition into professional design practice

Facilities

•Classwork, workshops, and productions use BU's advanced lighting-design and production facilities

Program Highlights

Training

•Average classes range from five to eight students with a 2:1 student-to-instructor ratio; final-year work culminates in a thesis exploring complex ideas in lighting and theatre

Performance & Productions

•Multiple annual design assignments let students apply skills across a broad range of theatrical storytelling and production contexts

Professional Development

•On-site internships, professional faculty mentorship, one-on-one conferences, and ties to Boston theatre organizations support the transition into professional design practice

Facilities

•Classwork, workshops, and productions use BU's advanced lighting-design and production facilities

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)

•Upload a PDF resume

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

Essay (Required)

•Discuss what you value in a life as a theatre artist and what theatre can bring to a community

Letters of Recommendation (Required)

•Two letters of recommendation from theatre professionals

Portfolio (Required)

•Portfolio upload through Acceptd, limited to no more than 18 files

•Portfolio upload formats: images .jpg/.png/.pdf/.gif; video/audio .mov/.wmv/.flv/.wp4/.mp3; hosted links YouTube/Vimeo/SoundCloud

•Portfolio content: at least two designed shows presented as designer packages

•Portfolio content for each show: a design statement, magic sheets, a drafting package with light plot and section, hook-up, and photographs of the realized production

•Optional portfolio content may include research, emotional response, sketches, previsualization renders, model photographs, a cue synopsis, or artistic work in other media

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 degree-specific Artistic Portfolio through School of Theatre Acceptd

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

•URTA participation is optional; URTA applicants must still upload their materials to Acceptd

•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

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•The artistic 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

•Average classes range from five to eight students with a 2:1 student-to-instructor ratio; final-year work culminates in a thesis exploring complex ideas in lighting and theatre

Performance & Productions

•Multiple annual design assignments let students apply skills across a broad range of theatrical storytelling and production contexts

Professional Development

•On-site internships, professional faculty mentorship, one-on-one conferences, and ties to Boston theatre organizations support the transition into professional design practice

Facilities

•Classwork, workshops, and productions use BU's advanced lighting-design and production facilities

Updated 1h ago