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College of Creative Arts and Media: School of Theatre and Dance

Scenic Design and Technology, MFA

Training in Scene Design at WVU starts with mastering basic design skills and advances to creating intricate stage worlds. Our program combines practical problem-solving with conceptual ideas to enhance and extend the meaning of performances.

Your training will include:

  • Traditional techniques and industry-standard digital media
  • Design
  • Model building
  • SketchUp
  • AutoCAD
  • Vectorworks
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Scene painting
  • Stage properties
  • Teaching
Your Degree Plan Learn by Doing Places and Spaces Admission Requirements Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

Master the advanced creation of stage-worlds using a combination of practical problem solving with conceptual ideas to extend the performance's meaning.

The MFA in Scenic Design and Technology requires 61 credit hours and can be completed in six semesters (three years).

With an emphasis on hands-on learning in a rigorous production environment, our MFA programs provide you with significant experience to develop and hone your craft. You will graduate with a significant portfolio of realized work. Furthermore, you'll receive real-world teaching experience at the university level under the guidance of our faculty. Upon completion of the program, you are prepared for entrance into the professional markets of entertainment and academia.

Assistantships, tuition waivers and scholarships are available.

School of Theatre and Dance MFA programs are accredited by the National Association of the Schools of Theatre (NAST) and are terminal degrees.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Scenic Design and Technology students must design at least two major productions, at least one of which must be fully mounted for the public.

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Places and Spaces

Learn about all of the places and spaces you'll learn in.

Program Facility - Creative Arts Center

Canady Creative Arts Center

The Loulie, Valerie and William Canady Creative Arts center boasts 4 exhibition spaces, 5 performance spaces, 33 individual practice rooms and 50 classrooms and studios with plenty of space to create. The loading dock at the rear of the building is a wonderful open-air space with stunning acoustics.

Explore the Canady Creative Arts Center
Featurette - Scene Shop

Theatrical Scene Shop

The scene shop for the School of Theatre and Dance features two, 4,000-square-foot levels housing scenery, props, painting, lighting and sound production. Comprised of wood- and metal-working equipment and a 60’x23’ paint frame that travels between the shops.

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  • Student Life
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Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelor's degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75. WVU operates decentralized admissions. Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.

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Learn how to join the WVU family.

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Want to know more about Scenic Design and Technology at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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