Overview

Students of the Media Arts program from California State University Chico are provided focused, pre-professional training within the context of broad, liberal arts study.

Through a program of applied studio courses, workshops and full productions, students learn an immediately useful set of theatre skills to prepare them for entry-level professional theatre employment or advanced study in professional theatre training programs and graduate schools.

Study of textual analysis, literature and theatre history helps students place the theatre within its larger cultural context, and to think critically, reason clearly, imagine creatively, and communicate effectively about theatre and the world of which it is a part.

The BA and BFA programs share a common foundation of history, literature, and aesthetic principles:

The BA in Theatre Arts is a well-balanced degree. After completing the common core classes, students select a mix of lower and upper division electives in performance, technical theatre/design, and dramatic literature/history.

The BFA in Musical Theatre is a prescribed degree. After completing the common core classes, students focus their studies specifically on musical theatre performance in the areas of acting, singing, and dancing.

The theatre and dance minors provide courses and production opportunities for students in other majors who wish to add intellectual and practical understanding of theatre and dance to their college experience.

Career Outlook

Qualified graduating seniors can take classes that provide them with extensive faculty coaching in preparation for various national unified auditions/interviews held each year for professional companies and graduate schools. Graduates with a BA in music have gone on to work across the United States and internationally for major studios, independent studios, touring the country and world with major tours, A&R for the record labels, composing, performing on the national and regional stage, and much more. Graduates with a BA in theatre work professionally as actors, designers, technicians and stage managers in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, on national tours, in various regional theatres, theme parks/cruise lines, and in film and television. Students from all degree programs have found careers as teachers at universities, colleges, high schools, and elementary schools.

Programme Structure

Courses included:

Music

Musical Theatre Dance

Drama

Acting

Design

History of Theatre

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-09-30 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-05-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-12-15 00:00:00 , National

More details

National Students: Priority Application Filing Period

Language

English

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Chico, United States

Disciplines

Art History Fine Arts View 855 other Bachelors in Art History in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

Completion of a university-preparatory secondary/high school program with a 3.0 (B in the U.S. system) or "Very Good" GPA

University-preparatory mathematics courses including beginning algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra. All must have passing grades (C or better, or the equivalent)

Must have English Proficiency

The SAT/ACT test is not required for admission. Although not required, higher-level test scores may allow you to be placed into higher level English and/or Math courses

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

39104 USD / year

≈ 39104 USD / year
Out-of-State

39104 USD / year

≈ 39104 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

17792 USD / year

≈ 17792 USD / year

Living costs

Chico

United States

1100 - 1600 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 Media Arts.

Available Scholarships

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

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