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University of California - Irvine

Irvine, CA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Browse programs

Theatre

Dance

Quick links

MFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Training

3-year MFA program with progressive training arc

Year One: personalization and realism

Year Two: style and process including Shakespeare, Chekhov, clowning, and camera work

Year Three: professionalism with showcase, professional development, and apprenticeship

Recent MFA graduates perform on stages across the country, on and off Broadway, in regional theatres, and in film and television

Notable Alumni

Crista Flanagan (MFA '01) — series regular on MADtv, appeared in Mad Men

Value

Full tuition coverage plus university health insurance and gym membership

Teaching assistantships available for second and third year students — considered essential to training

Guaranteed graduate housing

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

4.00

Admit rate

29%

school-wide

Grad rate

87%

Enrollment

30.2K

Earnings

$81K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$20,077

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$59,347

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$46,007

Before aid

Average net price

$14,251

After aid

New Students · ofas.uci.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 4d ago

Program Highlights

Training

3-year MFA program with progressive training arc

Year One: personalization and realism

Year Two: style and process including Shakespeare, Chekhov, clowning, and camera work

Year Three: professionalism with showcase, professional development, and apprenticeship

Recent MFA graduates perform on stages across the country, on and off Broadway, in regional theatres, and in film and television

Notable Alumni

Crista Flanagan (MFA '01) — series regular on MADtv, appeared in Mad Men

Value

Full tuition coverage plus university health insurance and gym membership

Teaching assistantships available for second and third year students — considered essential to training

Guaranteed graduate housing

Program Highlights

Training

3-year MFA program with progressive training arc

Year One: personalization and realism

Year Two: style and process including Shakespeare, Chekhov, clowning, and camera work

Year Three: professionalism with showcase, professional development, and apprenticeship

Recent MFA graduates perform on stages across the country, on and off Broadway, in regional theatres, and in film and television

Notable Alumni

Crista Flanagan (MFA '01) — series regular on MADtv, appeared in Mad Men

Value

Full tuition coverage plus university health insurance and gym membership

Teaching assistantships available for second and third year students — considered essential to training

Guaranteed graduate housing

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Program AppApplication

Not admitting for Fall 2027

From University of California - Irvine: The MFA Acting program now recruits on an alternate-year recruiting cycle. If you can't audition in 2026, we will be recruiting for the next incoming class in Winter 2028 to start in the Fall of 2028.Source

Apply

School Website

Fee

Application Fee

$135

Auditions · ucirvine-mfa-acting.org

Audition Requirements

Songs

Requirements

Optional Short Song (no more than 30 seconds)

Must provide your own pre-recorded accompaniment

Monologues

Requirements

Two Contrasting Monologues

Combined total length no more than three minutes

One should be classical, preferably in verse

Additional Materials

Written Statements

Statement of Purpose (mandatory)

Personal History Statement (optional)

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation required (due January 15)

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended

Official transcripts only required if offered acceptance

Video Specifications

If auditioning via video, invest time and care in production values such as lighting and audio so you can be seen and heard well

Auditions · ucirvine-mfa-acting.org

Good to Know

Important Notes

The next MFA Acting recruiting period is expected in Winter 2028 for Fall 2028 entry

Fee-waiver processing may delay audition scheduling once the next cycle opens

GRE not required for Acting applicants

International applicants: minimum TOEFL score of 80; speaking score of 26 required for TA eligibility

What's The Process

Audition Process

The MFA Acting program recruits in alternate years

The Fall 2026 audition cycle has ended

The next recruiting period is Winter 2028 for Fall 2028 entry

Applicants must first submit the UCI graduate application before scheduling a direct audition

For Fall 2026, direct auditions were held in person; applicants unable to attend could submit a prerecorded video audition

A live audition is preferred to a video, but a video can be a useful supplement; be ready to submit one if asked

UCI also attended virtual U/RTA auditions, but participation did not replace the direct application process

Scholarship Info

All students receive full tuition, health insurance, and a gym membership

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

4.00

Admit rate

29%

school-wide

Grad rate

87%

Enrollment

30.2K

Earnings

$81K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$20,077

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$59,347

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$46,007

Before aid

Average net price

$14,251

After aid

New Students · ofas.uci.edu College Scorecard

Training

3-year MFA program with progressive training arc

Year One: personalization and realism

Year Two: style and process including Shakespeare, Chekhov, clowning, and camera work

Year Three: professionalism with showcase, professional development, and apprenticeship

Recent MFA graduates perform on stages across the country, on and off Broadway, in regional theatres, and in film and television

Notable Alumni

Crista Flanagan (MFA '01) — series regular on MADtv, appeared in Mad Men

Value

Full tuition coverage plus university health insurance and gym membership

Teaching assistantships available for second and third year students — considered essential to training

Guaranteed graduate housing

Updated 4d ago