Overview

With the B.F.A. in Performing Arts - Acting from Western Kentucky University you'll take over 20 hours of acting classes. You'll also have a chance to study topics such as stage makeup, directing, dance, theatre for young audiences, design, stage management, and technical theatre.

What you'll study

Because we believe what you learn in the studio and classroom is best tested in front of an audience, we offer ample opportunities to perform.

We typically produce 20 to 25 different shows every year, totaling about 75 individual performances. Western also has an active and highly-regarded film program that draws from our pool of actors. You are encouraged to audition for everything, and if you've got what it takes, your resume will be long and impressive when you graduate.

We also feel it is important for our students to begin pursuing professional work in the summers. Many of our students find summer stock work in theatres around the country. We also offer career oriented classes like Performing Arts Career Seminar and Acting Audition Workshop to help you prepare for life after college.

Criteria for Acceptance into the B.F.A. in Performing Arts

All students matriculating at Western Kentucky University who state an intention to pursue a B.F.A. in Performing Arts will first be enrolled under the status “seeking admission” to the major. Students must formally apply for admission into the B.F.A. in Performing Arts in a subsequent semester. In order to be eligible to apply you must have:

Earned at least 30 college credits from an accredited college, university or post secondary conservatory;
Maintained an overall GPA of at least 2.5;
Demonstrated exceptional talent, commitment, self discipline, reliability, and a reasonable likelihood of success as a performing arts professional in at least one disciplinary field of the performing arts;
Participated fully in at least one previous JPR.

You must apply in your third semester, unless your advisor gives you permission to delay the initial application by one semester. If you are a transfer student your advisor will recommend your application semester.

If you are denied admission you may re-apply the following semester with no special procedure. A third attempt is only available by special petition to the faculty.

You may also be accepted conditionally. This is at the department’s discretion, and the schedule for when these conditions must be met is to be determined by the student’s advisor.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

University Experience: Performing Arts
Acting Audition Workshop
Fundamentals of Theatre
World Theatre History
Acting
Design

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-19 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

100

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Bowling Green, United States

Disciplines

Visual Arts Art History Drama View 1336 other Bachelors in Drama in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.5

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

100

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

A completed application (open WKU application for admission)
Minimum academic requirements: Freshmen: 2.5 GPA / Transfer:* 2.0 GPA
*Students with 24 or more earned hours of college credit
English proficiency requirements
$75 non-refundable application fee
Official Academic Records from schools attended with grades and any degrees/diplomas/certificates received. Should also include a literal English translation.
Financial Evidence of Support must be provided to obtain an I-20
Students transferring from within the US will need to fill out the Transfer-In Form

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

29030 USD / year

≈ 29030 USD / year
Out-of-State

27000 USD / year

≈ 27000 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12072 USD / year

≈ 12072 USD / year

Living costs

Bowling Green

United States

900 - 1400 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Performing Arts - Acting.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

What you'll study

Criteria for Acceptance into the B.F.A. in Performing Arts

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Bowling Green

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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