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University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Browse programs

Quick links

MFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Ultra-SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program Recognition

Three-year progressive MFA fusing classical conservatory training with innovative physical approach

Faculty of accomplished professionals with extensive theatre, film, and TV experience

Training

Students create and shoot collaborative short film in final year

Industry showcases in spring of third year for casting directors, agents, and managers

International externship opportunity in Year Two

Notable Alumni

McKinley Belcher III '10 — starred in HBO's We Own the City and Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman

Jinwoo Jung '16 — starred in KPOP: The Musical on Broadway

Professional Development

First drama school with dedicated Professional Development Center

Location

Located in Los Angeles — major center for theatre, film, and television

School Info

Snapshot

3.86

Avg GPA (W)

10%

Admit Rate

school-wide

92%

Grad Rate

20.4K

Enrollment

$92K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average Net Price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Three-year progressive MFA fusing classical conservatory training with innovative physical approach

Faculty of accomplished professionals with extensive theatre, film, and TV experience

Training

Students create and shoot collaborative short film in final year

Industry showcases in spring of third year for casting directors, agents, and managers

International externship opportunity in Year Two

Notable Alumni

McKinley Belcher III '10 — starred in HBO's We Own the City and Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman

Jinwoo Jung '16 — starred in KPOP: The Musical on Broadway

Professional Development

First drama school with dedicated Professional Development Center

Location

Located in Los Angeles — major center for theatre, film, and television

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Three-year progressive MFA fusing classical conservatory training with innovative physical approach

Faculty of accomplished professionals with extensive theatre, film, and TV experience

Training

Students create and shoot collaborative short film in final year

Industry showcases in spring of third year for casting directors, agents, and managers

International externship opportunity in Year Two

Notable Alumni

McKinley Belcher III '10 — starred in HBO's We Own the City and Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman

Jinwoo Jung '16 — starred in KPOP: The Musical on Broadway

Professional Development

First drama school with dedicated Professional Development Center

Location

Located in Los Angeles — major center for theatre, film, and television

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

Program AppApplication

Apply

SlideRoom

Fee

$26

Deadline

PriorityDec 1, 2026

FinalJan 15, 2027

Audition

International Overseas Digital Audition (rolling, follows live audition schedule)TBA

MFA Acting · dramaticarts.usc.edu

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Requirements

Two Contrasting Monologues

One classical (heightened language)

One contemporary (everyday language)

Each monologue no longer than 90 seconds

Classical is not necessarily Shakespeare - means heightened language you don't use every day

Contemporary means language you use every day

You are not required to stick to playwrights we are familiar with

Additional Materials

Required Documents

Current headshot or photo

Resume (include all performance activities; may add non-performance work or volunteer experience)

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (address prompts outlined in SlideRoom)

Callback Materials (If Invited)

Academic transcripts requested only if invited to Callback Weekend

MFA Acting · dramaticarts.usc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

The official page publishes a December 1, 2026 priority deadline. Its displayed January 15, 2025 final deadline was stale text; SDA SlideRoom's own Deadline field now confirms the true final deadline is January 15, 2027 (Pacific) for both the in-person and international overseas virtual-audition programs.

SDA SlideRoom (uscsda.slideroom.com) is open for the 2027 MFA Acting cycle — both programs have been startable since September 1, 2026.

What's The Process

Audition Process

Auditions scheduled after December 1, in the order applications are received

A digital/recorded audition option is reserved exclusively for international applicants who will be overseas during the audition tour; no separate date is published, since digital auditions follow the same rolling post-December-1 scheduling as live auditions, and digital-audition applicants may be asked to meet virtually with faculty as part of the initial review

Faculty identifies select candidates for Callback Weekend in Los Angeles; all applicants are notified a few days after their audition

Callback guests are expected to attend both days; no virtual option is available for Callback Weekend

Audition Expectations

Two contrasting monologues performed live (one classical, one contemporary), each no longer than 90 seconds

Scholarship Info

Tuition-Free Program

All MFA Acting students attend tuition-free since 2024-25

Applies to both incoming and continuing students

Funded by donor support and the School's Board of Councilors

Faculty-Nominated Awards

Available after completing at least one year

Named awards selected by the Dean and faculty committee based on merit and talent

School Info

Snapshot

3.86

Avg GPA (W)

10%

Admit Rate

school-wide

92%

Grad Rate

20.4K

Enrollment

$92K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average Net Price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Three-year progressive MFA fusing classical conservatory training with innovative physical approach

Faculty of accomplished professionals with extensive theatre, film, and TV experience

Training

Students create and shoot collaborative short film in final year

Industry showcases in spring of third year for casting directors, agents, and managers

International externship opportunity in Year Two

Notable Alumni

McKinley Belcher III '10 — starred in HBO's We Own the City and Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman

Jinwoo Jung '16 — starred in KPOP: The Musical on Broadway

Professional Development

First drama school with dedicated Professional Development Center

Location

Located in Los Angeles — major center for theatre, film, and television

Updated 1d ago