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California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA

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Program

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Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

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Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

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BA Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Training

Cal Poly's signature "Learn by Doing" philosophy with hands-on training from day one

Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre — 495-seat proscenium mainstage venue

Dedicated Black Box Theatre (65 seats) for intimate performances and student-directed work

Scenic, costume, and design labs for production coursework

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage shows per year plus annual one-act play festival

Students' Stage club produces additional student-directed plays in the Black Box

Opportunities both onstage and backstage on every production

Degree Flexibility

Small program size allows faculty to know each student individually

Broad liberal arts curriculum: acting, directing, design, history, playwriting, stagecraft

Required Shakespeare coursework through English department

Senior capstone project seminar

School Info

Snapshot

4.12

Avg GPA (W)

31%

Admit Rate

school-wide

86%

Grad Rate

22K

Enrollment

$91K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$14,682

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$37,616

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$40,304

Before aid

Average Net Price

$16,665

After aid

Undergraduate Costs Attendance 2026 2027 · calpoly.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 1, 1:05 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Cal Poly's signature "Learn by Doing" philosophy with hands-on training from day one

Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre — 495-seat proscenium mainstage venue

Dedicated Black Box Theatre (65 seats) for intimate performances and student-directed work

Scenic, costume, and design labs for production coursework

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage shows per year plus annual one-act play festival

Students' Stage club produces additional student-directed plays in the Black Box

Opportunities both onstage and backstage on every production

Degree Flexibility

Small program size allows faculty to know each student individually

Broad liberal arts curriculum: acting, directing, design, history, playwriting, stagecraft

Required Shakespeare coursework through English department

Senior capstone project seminar

Program Highlights

Training

Cal Poly's signature "Learn by Doing" philosophy with hands-on training from day one

Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre — 495-seat proscenium mainstage venue

Dedicated Black Box Theatre (65 seats) for intimate performances and student-directed work

Scenic, costume, and design labs for production coursework

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage shows per year plus annual one-act play festival

Students' Stage club produces additional student-directed plays in the Black Box

Opportunities both onstage and backstage on every production

Degree Flexibility

Small program size allows faculty to know each student individually

Broad liberal arts curriculum: acting, directing, design, history, playwriting, stagecraft

Required Shakespeare coursework through English department

Senior capstone project seminar

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Cal State Apply· Only option

Fee

$70

Opens

Oct 1, 2026

Deadline

Fall 2027 Application DeadlineNov 30, 2026

Application Dates Deadlines · calstate.edu

Good to Know

Admission Pathway

No audition required — admission is through Cal State Apply

Fall enrollment only

Transfer Pathway

BA Theatre Arts is listed in Cal Poly's Associate Degree for Transfer pathways for Fall 2026 admission and beyond. Eligible AA-T/AS-T completers receive priority admission and junior standing when they meet the prescribed requirements.

Cal Poly Associate Degree Transfer · academicprograms.calpoly.edu

School Info

Snapshot

4.12

Avg GPA (W)

31%

Admit Rate

school-wide

86%

Grad Rate

22K

Enrollment

$91K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$14,682

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$37,616

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$40,304

Before aid

Average Net Price

$16,665

After aid

Undergraduate Costs Attendance 2026 2027 · calpoly.edu College Scorecard

Training

Cal Poly's signature "Learn by Doing" philosophy with hands-on training from day one

Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre — 495-seat proscenium mainstage venue

Dedicated Black Box Theatre (65 seats) for intimate performances and student-directed work

Scenic, costume, and design labs for production coursework

Performance & Productions

Four mainstage shows per year plus annual one-act play festival

Students' Stage club produces additional student-directed plays in the Black Box

Opportunities both onstage and backstage on every production

Degree Flexibility

Small program size allows faculty to know each student individually

Broad liberal arts curriculum: acting, directing, design, history, playwriting, stagecraft

Required Shakespeare coursework through English department

Senior capstone project seminar

Updated Aug 1, 1:05 PM