Graduate Admissions

Graduate Admissions Process

The Department of Theatre Arts accepts applications for Fall admission only, with applications being accepted December 1 through June 1. Admission to the graduate programs in the Department of Theatre Arts at California State University, Long Beach is a two-part process that requires application to and acceptance by both the University and the Department of Theatre Arts. As such, applicants must complete two, individual applications. For admission criteria, please visit the CSULB graduate application and admission requirements page.

For all other admission procedures, follow the procedure for your specific discipline.

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts and Master of Business Administration – Option in Theatre Management 

The MFA/MBA is a concurrent degree and requires university admission, as well as separate admissions into the Department of Theatre Arts and the College for Business Administration. Entrance examinations are required for the MBA degree but applicants may choose to take the GMAT or the GRE. For details on the entrance examination requirement, please see the catalog MFA/MBA catalog admissions page. All applicants must complete two individual applications: 

  • Please file the CAL State Apply application. The process of filing will provide further details on departmental procedures and important supplemental materials, including: 
    • Letters of Recommendation
    • Academic or Professional Resume
    • Statement of Purpose
    • Unofficial Transcripts (not required but, if easily obtained, sending a completed set of unofficial transcripts will expedite the assessment of your application) 
    • Interview with the Head of Management - For inquiries about interviews with the MFA/MBA program, contact the Head of Theatre Management: Anthony Byrnes. Applicants are also seen at regularly scheduled U.R.T.A. auditions. More information on the University Resident Theatre Association can be found on University Resident Theatre Association website. 

    All supplemental materials should be emailed to Theatre Arts Admissions or mailed to: 

    MFA / MBA (Theatre Management) Admissions 
    Department of Theatre Arts 
    CSU Long Beach
    1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840 

  • If you think our MBA/MFA in Theatre Management may be the right next step for your life in art, the application for Graduate Admission to the University is available online through CAL State Apply. Along with your online application, you must submit one set of official transcripts, from every college or university you have attended. Official transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope to:

    Enrollment Services/Admissions
    CSU Long Beach
    1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840 

Please be aware that transmission of transcripts can be a lengthy process and failure to submit transcripts in a timely manner will result in a delayed review of your application. 

Also, please note that the program associated with the concurrent MBA/MFA in Theatre Management is the “Evening MBA”. Questions about the MBA curriculum or the entrance exam requirement should be directed to the advisor for the MBA program, Lindsay Sterk. 

Any other questions? If you have questions or concerns about applying to the Department of Theatre Arts, please feel to contact our graduate advisor, Josh Nathan.