FAQs
Q: What is the difference between the Theatre BA (Bachelor of Arts) and the Theatre BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts)?
A: The Theatre BA is a well rounded, liberal arts Theatre degree with 120 required course units, while the Theatre BFA is a pre-professional degree with 132 required course units. Students in the BA degree do not have to audition to enter the program and can take courses in musical theatre (acting, singing, and dancing), acting, directing, technical theatre, design, theatre education, playwrighting, dramaturgy, and much more.
Students in the BFA degree must choose a specific concentration (Acting, Devised Performance/Physical Theatre, or Musical Theatre) and have very few electives due to the high impact of required courses in these specific fields. Importantly, no matter which degree type you choose, all Theatre & Dance students are eligible and encouraged to be cast in all campus productions.
Q: Do Theatre BA students have to audition before attending CSUF?
A: No, there is no audition requirement for the Theatre BA degree.
Apply to the University
and state your intention to major in Theatre.
Q: Do Musical Theatre BFA students have to audition before attending CSUF?
A: Yes, the Musical Theatre program requires an audition. Please visit our Admissions & Entrance Auditions page for more information.
Q: Does CSUF use the Common App or Accept’d?
A: CSUF does not use the Common App. All CSU campuses use “Cal State Apply” so you may apply to multiple CSU schools with one application. The CSUF Musical Theatre program does not use Accept'd, however, uses its own in house system which is FREE for you to apply.
Q: How much does it cost to apply to CSUF?
A: There is a $70 application fee for the University. Application fee waivers are available for students who can prove financial hardship (click here to view the CSU fee waiver program).
Q: How much does it cost to attend CSUF?
A: California residents can expect to spend under $30,000 in tuition for all four years of training at CSUF (less than $4,000 per semester). Out-of-state residents can expect to spend under $80,000 in tuition for all four years of training. Both of these numbers are highly competitive for BFA Musical Theatre programs, nationwide, and do not include room & board. For the most up-to-date information on tuition and other University costs, please see
Q: Does CSUF offer merit-based scholarships or work-study programs?
A: Due to the highly competitive price of CSUF’s tuition (one of the lowest tuition prices in the country), merit-scholarships for incoming Musical Theatre students are relatively rare. That said, there are need-based scholarships and work-study programs available to all CSUF students. Visit the CSUF Financial Aid
website
for more details.
Q: Is casting guaranteed for BFA Musical Theatre students?
A: Each BFA student is required to perform in at least two (2) productions over their four years; however, BFA students are encouraged to audition for as many productions as possible during their time on campus. At CSUF, we believe that casting/auditioning is part of the training process; therefore, casting must be open and competitive in order to successfully prepare students for the industry, post-graduation. We also believe that students with industry- minded performance degrees (like a BFA) must perform; for this reason, we require at least two (2) production casting opportunities.
Q: Is casting guaranteed for BA Theatre students?
A: No, casting is open to all BA Theatre students, but is not guaranteed.
Q: Can BFA Musical Theatre students audition for plays and devised works (non- musicals)?
A: Yes, BFA students can audition and be cast in any/all CSUF campus productions.
Q: How many students are accepted into the Musical Theatre BFA Program each year?
A: Approximately 12-16 students are offered placement in the MT program each year.
Q: Is there a “cut” system at CSUF?
A: No. Students audition into the program during the application process to the University.
Q: Does the Musical Theatre BFA program accept transfer students?
A: Yes. It is part of the mission of the California State University system to create a rigorous, community-driven, equitable, and accessible model of higher education — including higher education in the arts. We recognize and embrace the reality that the best and brightest young talents in our nation are not always those who can afford four years of private schooling. Likewise, some promising young actors may not be ready for the rigor of a four-year program immediately after high school, yet may blossom through their matriculation within a community college/two-year program. We at CSUF honor that young artists do not all grow or develop at the same pace. For this reason, we hope that our school may serve as a beacon — not only for the students whose talents manifested after high school, but for other colleges and universities who wish to truly create vibrant, diverse, accessible spaces for all young artists.
For these reasons and more, it is important for us at CSUF to maintain a bridge into our program(s) for transfer students. Transfers may be placed into the second or third year cohorts.
Q: How many transfer students does the Musical Theatre program accept each year?
A: This depends on the pool of candidates and the current class roster, however, 1-2 transfers per year is an approximate average.
Q: Is there a GPA requirement for the Musical Theatre BFA?
A: There is no GPA requirement for the program itself, however, there is a GPA requirement for the University, which the BFA program(s) must adhere to. In-state residents must achieve a high school GPA of 2.49 or higher, while out-of-state residents must achieve a high school GPA of 2.99 or higher. Courses that would transfer for the BFA requirements must be a B or better.
Regardless of GPA standing, all students are encouraged to apply.
Q: What happens if I audition and don’t get in?
A: Good news! You will be welcomed into the Theatre BA program here at CSUF (which requires no audition)!
Q: Should I audition as a transfer student?
A: The short answer is: Yes, of course!
The long answer is: the BFA Musical Theatre concentration is a densely packed, 4-year course package that is difficult (but not impossible) to transfer in to due to the specificity of required courses in the first two years of the program. If the audition/application process feels overwhelming to you in any way, we encourage you to seriously consider our slightly more flexible Theatre BA degree program. There are many ways to celebrate your love for theatre and receive a 4-year degree here at CSUF!
Q: What happens if I audition and do get in?
A: Congrats! If you successfully pass the audition, you will be given a schedule of classes to which you will be permitted to enroll (with the goal of timely completing the BFA course sequence). That permit guarantees you a seat in the BFA sections of performance courses. From here, simply follow the Musical Theatre course roadmap provided to you by your academic advisor, throw yourself into the work wholeheartedly, and enjoy the ride!
