Master of Arts Theatre Specialization in Medieval and Renaissance Studies

The Department of Theatre offers two graduate programs, one leading to a Master of Arts (MA) in Theatre, and the other to a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Directing for the Theatre.

The MA in Theatre includes a thesis and is focused on the fields of theatre theory and dramaturgy. The objective of this program is to bridge theoretical and practical approaches to the study of theatre by encouraging dialogue and understanding between practitioners and theoreticians. The program enables students to broaden their academic scope with regard to the epistemological and interdisciplinary specificities of theatre as an art form and as a discipline of study; it encourages the analysis of the Western worlds principal theatrical traditions from various discursive perspectives; it fosters a greater understanding of Canadas two principal theatrical traditions and helps develop scholarly discourse in regards to each.

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Directing focuses on the practice and theory of directing. It allows students to develop their skills in the art of directing, and offers the unique opportunity to study both English and French theatre practices and traditions in a bilingual and bicultural setting. The program is designed to prepare students to work as directors in both the professional and academic theatre.

Both programs are offered full-time and extend over two years. They can be pursued in English and in French.

The Department offers a collaborative program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the MA level. For more information on this program, see Admission Requirements.

The collaborative masters in Medieval and Renaissance Studies (MDR) has two goals:

• To offer at the graduate level a multi-disciplinary education in Medieval and Renaissance Studies;
• To teach students the theoretical approaches and methods of research specific to the study of the period.

Since the 16th century, study of the middle ages implies studying a middle, or intermediary period, seen as standing between two great civilizations: Roman antiquity and the modern western world. This definition has had a major impact on scholarship, crystallizing a periodization that has now become traditional in most of the humanities.

The programs are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Pour connaître les renseignements à jour concernant les dates limites, les tests de langues et autres exigences d'admission, consultez la page des exigences particulières.

Admission to the graduate programs in Theatre is governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

All applicants must be able to understand, speak and write proficiently either English or French. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other. The list of acceptable proofs is indicated in the “Admission” section of the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have the right to produce their work, their research paper, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English.

Admission Requirements for the MA Program

• An honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a specialization or major in Theatre or related discipline;
  OR
  An honours bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in another discipline, with a minor in Theatre and two or more years of relevant experience;
  OR
  An honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in another discipline, with three or more years of relevant experience.
• A minimum admission average of 70% (B), calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines.

Collaborative Program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies

The Department of Theatre is a participating unit in the collaborative program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the Master's level. This program has been established for students wishing to enrich their training in theatre by including an interdisciplinary component in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. The specific requirements of the collaborative program include two core courses in medieval studies and a thesis on a topic related to Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

Students must apply for acceptance in the Medieval and Renaissance Studies collaborative program at the same time as they apply for admission to the Master's program in theatre.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.