THPST-PHD - Theater and Performance Studies (PhD)

Students are expected to enroll in all required courses for a letter grade unless that option is not available. Grades of B or lower indicate that a student may not be performing at the level expected of a doctoral student in the program. 

Students who completed graduate coursework at another institution are expected to transfer course units in the winter quarter of their first year of doctoral study. The Director of Graduate Studies will evaluate the transfer of units on a course-by-course basis. Graduate work accepted for transfer of residency does not automatically exempt a student from having to complete a course requirement for the degree.

The Department of Theater and Performance Studies is committed to academic advising supporting graduate-student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by the advisor and the advisee. Advising expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. The advisee and the advisor are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity throughout this relationship.

Faculty advisors guide students in critical areas such as selecting courses, designing and conducting research, developing teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways.

Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.

At the start of the first year in the program, students are assigned a faculty advisor based on shared research interests. The advisor’s role is to serve as an intellectual advisor and professional mentor to their graduate students, to understand the academic and non-academic policies that pertain to graduate students, and to prepare students to be competitive for future employment.

In the fourth year, PhD students consult closely with their Academic Council faculty advisor to form a dissertation committee. The student and advisor determine which faculty members comprise the dissertation committee. Creating a dissertation committee is a required part of the dissertation prospectus milestone.

Advisors and advisees are expected to meet quarterly, perhaps more frequently during exams and milestones. Depending on the individual advisor and advisee, there may likely be variations in meeting frequency. Students are encouraged to consult with the Director of Graduate Studies and the student services officer as needed.  

Students are encouraged to communicate and meet frequently with their advisors. Setting expectations with your advisor and revisiting those expectations periodically is essential. Students wishing to change their advisor may do so. Contact department staff for more information.

Satisfactory Progress and Annual Review: The Academic Council Faculty must evaluate the program and progress of each student at the end of each academic year. At the end of the first year, the Academic Council Faculty evaluates each student’s work in classes, seminars, examinations, and performance. Production planning for the following season in the spring of each year is contingent upon students making satisfactory progress. Continuation in the program depends upon the recommendation of this faculty group. At the end of the second year, the committee reviews the student’s work in consideration of being admitted to candidacy. By the beginning of the fourth year, students are expected to have developed an approved dissertation prospectus. Failure to make satisfactory progress may result in dismissal from the program.