HOW TO APPLY – GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

Application Deadlines

Priority deadline for Fall semester admission: Dec. 15 of previous year
Priority deadline for Spring semester admission: August 15 of previous year
(same deadlines for international applicants)

*Applications can often be accepted beyond these deadlines if openings still exist. Please email the Graduate Chair for Theatre (theagrad@hawaii.edu) or Graduate Chair for Dance (gradance@hawaii.edu) to inquire. For General Inquiries contact thdngrad@hawaii.edu.

Step 1: Application to UHM

1. Complete the online Graduate Admissions Application Form. See the Graduate Admissions page for information and the link to the application (“Submitting Your Application”).
2. Pay the application fee. Note that the Graduate Division does not grant waivers of this fee.
3. Request that official copies of all post-secondary transcripts be sent directly to Graduate Student Services. See the Graduate Admissions page for information and the link to the application (“Documentation Requirements”).

Please note that Theatre and Dance does not require a GRE score.

If you are an international applicant, please consult the International Students graduate website. You are also responsible for the following:

• Official language proficiency scores sent directly to Graduate Student Services (see address above).  See Proficiency information here.
• Financial Information Form.
• Additional admissions requirements.

The Graduate Division will notify applicants of the admission decision.

Step 2: Additional Departmental Requirements

Applicants for all graduate programs in Dance should upload or request most Step 2 application materials via the Office of Graduate Education supplemental upload website.

You may also watch a video tutorial on how to use the upload website.

Required:

• Three Letters of Recommendation (request from your recommenders via Supplemental Upload website)
• Theatre and Dance Graduate Express Form (please fill out this Google Forms link)
• Statement of Objectives (Please upload to Graduate Division supplemental upload website, using UPLOAD Feature.  For Category, choose “Statement of Objective.” Include why you would choose to pursue a degree at UHM and in Hawai’i, and why you have chosen your specific focus to study.
• Unofficial scans of all post-secondary transcripts (Please upload to Graduate Division supplemental upload website, using UPLOAD Feature.  For Category, choose “Unofficial Transcripts.”  Important: you must also send official copies directly to Graduate Student Services as noted above for your application to be complete.)

Optional but highly recommended:

• Apply for Graduate Achievement Scholarships (optional but strongly recommended for all applications) Please fill out the Graduate Achievement Scholarship Application via this Google Forms application link. Please fill out no later than Oct. 1 for spring semester, and Feb. 1 for Fall semester; earlier applications are encouraged.
• Apply for Graduate Assistantships. Please fill out the Graduate Employment Application via this Google Forms application link. Priority deadlines: Oct. 1 for Spring semester openings, Feb. 1 for Fall semester openings. Earlier applications encouraged; applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Applicants must be enrolled in or must also apply for entry to the University’s graduate Theatre degree programs. 

Supplemental Materials Required

Most degrees have additional application requirements, listed below.

Please upload requested materials to the Graduate Division Supplemental upload website, using UPLOAD Feature. Links to portfolios or dance samples can be uploaded as a pdf with digital links to the Supplemental website or emailed directly to the Graduate Chair for Theatre (theagrad@hawaii.edu) or Graduate Chair for Dance (gradance@hawaii.edu).

Supplemental Materials Required for Dance Concentration Admissions (MFA Dance Plan B, MA Dance Plan A and B)

• CV/Resume
• Link to Website (if applicable)
• An example of written work, such as a major paper pages 

Additional Specific Requirements for the MFA, Dance Concentration 

Selected Focus Areas: 

(Note it is possible to apply to up to two focus areas in the MFA Dance Concentration.)

• MFA Dance Concentration, Performance Focus Area:  
  • Digital links to a minimum of 3 video samples showing solo and group performance skills of you performing.
• MFA Dance Concentration, Choreography Focus Area:
  • Digital links to minimum of 3 video samples showing solo and group original choreography created and directed by you
• MFA Dance Concentration, Screendance/New Media Installation
  • Digital links to a minimum of 3 video samples showing Screendances or Live Dance Performance/New Media  installation created by you. This may include your role as a choreographer, performer, camera, and/or director.
• MFA Dance Concentration, Hawai’i/Asia/Pacific Cultural Practices and Dance. 
  • Digital links to a minimum of 3 video samples showing solo and group performance.

Additional Specific Requirements for the MA, Dance Concentration: 

• MA Dance Concentration Plan A Thesis, Performance Studies Emphasis:  
  • A provisional dance and performance studies thesis proposal of 1-2 pages, with a partial bibliography and a proposed title.
• MA Dance Concentration Plan B Non-Thesis, Education Emphasis:  
  • A provisional dance education project proposal of 1-2 pages, with a partial bibliography and a proposed title.

Supplemental Materials Required for MA, Theatre or Performance Studies Concentration Admissions

• MA Theatre or Performance Studies concentrations—A typed (double-spaced) example of written work, such as a major paper of 15-20 pages (pdf preferred).

Supplemental Materials Required for MFA, Theatre Concentration Admissions 

Selected Focus Areas: 

(Note it is only possible to apply to up to one focus area in the MFA Theatre Concentration; double focus area requests will be considered upon admission)

• MFA Theatre concentration, Acting focus area: Resume plus two 2-minute monologues, one comedic and one serious; one from classical material and one from a modern or contemporary play. Plays from which monologues are chosen should be from well-known and established playwrights.  Preferred format: electronic link sent to Graduate Chair for Theatre (theagrad@hawaii.edu). 
• MFA Theatre concentration, Design focus area: Resume plus portfolio or appropriate supplementary materials (i.e., slides, photographs, videos).  Preferred format: electronic link or file.
• MFA Theatre concentration, Directing focus area: Resume plus provide short video examples of your work. Preferred format: electronic link to view video. Please also upload a separate 1-2 page written commentary explaining the video examples, commenting on your artistic choices in directing, challenges faced, etc. Please contact the Graduate Chair if you cannot provide video.
• MFA Theatre concentration, Hawaiian Theatre focus area: Resume plus provide short examples of your work.  Preferred format: electronic link or file.
• MFA Theatre concentration, Playwriting focus area: Resume plus one-act play or other script (pdf preferred).
• MFA Theatre concentration, Theatre for Young Audiences focus area: Resume plus provide short examples of your curricular/directing/performance/puppetry work. If applying to emphasis on TYA Directing, please send short video examples of your directing work. Preferred format: electronic link to view video. Please also upload a separate 1-2 page written commentary explaining the video examples, commenting on your artistic choices in directing, challenges faced, etc. Please contact the Graduate Chair if you cannot provide video.

Supplemental Materials Required for PhD Theatre and Dance Admissions 

• (1)  A typed (double-spaced) example of written work, such as a major paper of 15-20 pages or chapter from MA thesis (pdf preferred).
• (2) A provisional dissertation proposal of 4-6 pages, with a partial bibliography and a proposed title. Pdfs preferred.

PDF files: For Category, choose “Other” and please type <Writing Sample> or <Dissertation Proposal> or other appropriate title into the description.

Video Files:  For Category, choose “Other” and please type <Video Audition> or <Video Portfolio> or other appropriate description into the description.  Note: 200MB maximum per file. Sending a link to the appropriate Graduate Chair, however, is preferred.