Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theater Collaboration

Contribute to the development and creation of new musical theater performances with the Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theater Collaboration in Temple’s School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. This innovative, three-year, 60-credit graduate degree prepares you for a career in the musical theater industry as a collaborating creative team member and independent artist engaged in the creation of new musical theater works.

The Musical Theater Collaboration MFA’s unique curriculum is built upon field-driven, experiential techniques and craft-based training through production, studio and workshop opportunities. Our renowned faculty and guest artists are among the most innovative in the field of musical theater. The program mirrors the actual field-based creative process of generating new musical theater works, while teaching craft and collaboration skills vital to the process of creating a new musical. 

Graduates of the Musical Theater Collaboration MFA are prepared to become authors, composers, choreographers, lyricists and playwrights, among others.

Program Format & Curriculum

Over three years, you’ll take core courses focused on musical theater and research. These courses include the following.

  • Adaptation
  • Composition
  • Dramaturgy
  • Practicums in Musical Theater
  • Script and Score Analysis

Learn more about courses for the Music Theater Collaboration MFA.

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Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Fine Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,221.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,634.00 per credit

You can view the full cost of attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

Additional Information

Concentrations

You can focus on Musical Theater Collaboration or you can take one of the following concentrations.

  • Bookwriting

    Hone your individual craft while learning a range of skills fundamental to the creation of new musical theater. Train and learn as a cohort of Musical Theater Collaboration MFA students to replicate the field-based approach taken within the industry and access the mentoring and talent resources vital to the process. 

  • Composing/Lyricist

    Develop your unique voice while gaining a deep understanding of the aesthetics of the form, as well as the business side of the industry. Engage in intensive graduate-level craft-based training that includes abundant studio, workshop and production experience opportunities within a cohort of Musical Theater Collaboration MFA students. 

  • Directing

    Refine your independent vision as an artistic leader while collaboratively preparing to create new musical works. Musical Theater Collaboration MFA students are trained and mentored as a cohort in order to connect various craft and artistic disciplines within the field, emphasizing the inherent cooperative nature of this most integrated of performing art forms. 

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Additional Program Information

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