Bachelor of Arts: Theatre
University Requirements
General Education
UMKC Essentials is the university-wide curriculum that all undergraduate students will complete. The 30-credit hour program includes a First Year Experience course; three critical thinking courses in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Natural & Physical Sciences, and Social & Behavioral Sciences; a Culture and Diversity course; a Civic & Urban Engagement course; two courses in Written Composition and one course in Oral Communication; and a Math Pathway course. Transfer students entering UMKC will elect from the UMKC Essentials General Education Program or the Missouri Core 42 General Education Curriculum. Academic advisors will meet with incoming transfer students to determine which option best serves the student’s educational needs. More information about General Education may be found here: https://catalog.umkc.edu/undergraduate-academic-regulations-information/general-education-requirements/
Constitution Course
Every undergraduate student must take a course covering the United States Constitution and the Missouri State Constitution before graduation. Course options are included in the program requirements section below.
Exit Examinations
Information on exit examinations is available in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations and Information section of the catalog.
Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination
In accordance with Missouri Senate Bill 807 (section 170.013.1), 'any student entering a public institution of higher education for the first time after July 2019 who is pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree from such institution shall successfully pass an examination on the provisions and principles of American civics with a score of seventy percent or greater as a condition of graduation from such institution'. To satisfy this requirement at UMKC, students access the exam through the Canvas site. This requirement will be listed in the degree audit system as, 'Take State Mandated Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination', and listed on the transcript as 'Missouri Civics Examination'.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- Identify and categorize the historical context surrounding the development of playwriting, scenery, acting conventions, and theatrical architecture.
- Analyze text in terms of form, structure, content, and stagecraft.
- Engage in the collaborative communication and processes necessary to the creation of live performance.
- Develop and defend informed judgments about theatre practice and performance.
- Apply skills and demonstrate a comprehension of theories and methodologies as they relate to live performance practice.
Program Requirements
Mission Statement
The division seeks to train a community of students who explore the human condition, stimulate and engage audiences, and connect to a global, diverse community using the evolving, collaborative art of live performance. We develop artists and scholars who have a lifelong passion for the arts. Dedicated to a teaching approach that empower students in the development of their own personal strengths and provide them with tools and opportunities to realize their potential.
Vision
The UMKC Theatre program will be a nationally recognized theatre program known for graduating artist-citizens ready to create in today’s changing world. We are committed to a comprehensive, student-focused philosophy that integrates performance, theory and practice in order for students to become artists and leaders.
Values
- Intellectual Curiosity
We foster creative and intellectual discovery inspired by desire for knowledge, comprehension, and mastery.
- Creativity
We provide opportunities and an environment to explore and create meaningful, innovative ideas that engage the interdependence of process and product.
- Tradition and Innovation
We are committed to studying history, theories and practices, while remaining committed to innovation and vision.
- Community
We champion a community of diverse peoples, practices, and ideas. We strive for open and powerful communication and unprejudiced understanding recognizing that this will strengthen and enrich the world.
- Collaboration
We strive for a shared vision encouraging interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration.
All Theatre Majors
Production experiences give undergraduate theatre majors the chance to apply classroom theory to practical situations. Taking part as a crew member, designer or performer in one of the departmental productions is an integral part of the theatre experience at UMKC. In a typical year there are two undergraduate productions in addition to as many other conservatory productions, providing ample opportunity.
Students must earn a grade of C- or above in all courses required by the major.
UMKC Essentials
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester Experience Course (GEFSE) | 3 | |
| Written Communication: | ||
| ENGLISH 110 | Introduction to Academic Prose | 3 |
| ENGLISH 225 | English II: Intermediate Academic Prose | 3 |
| Oral Communication (choose one of the following): | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Effective Speaking and Listening | ||
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Argumentation And Debate (offered via dual credit only) | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Math Pathway (choose one of the following): | 3 | |
| Mathematics For Liberal Arts | ||
| Statistical Reasoning | ||
| Precalculus Algebra | ||
| Precalculus (5 credit hours) | ||
Any 200-level MATH or STAT course | ||
ACT Math Subscore of 28 or higher; or SAT Math Subscore of 660 or higher | ||
| Critical Thinking in Arts & Humanities (GECRT-AH) | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking in Natural & Physical Sciences (GECRT-SC) | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking in Social & Behavioral Sciences (GECRT-SS) | 3 | |
| Culture & Diversity Course (GECDV) | 3 | |
| Civic & Urban Engagement Course (GECUE) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Constitution Course Requirement
Section 170.011.1 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, 2015, states that all candidates for a degree issued by a college or university in the state of Missouri must have “satisfactorily passed an examination on the provisions and principles of the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Missouri, and in American history and American institutions.”
Courses at UMKC that satisfy this state requirement are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| The Supreme Court And The Criminal Process | ||
| U.S. History to 1877 | ||
| U.S. History Since 1877 | ||
| Honors American Government | ||
| American Government | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
There are a few other ways this requirement can be satisfied for students transferring to UMKC:
- Take an equivalent course from the list above at a regionally accredited institution.
- Earn credit for one of the above courses through AP, IB, or CLEP.
- Take a course that directly satisfies the Missouri Constitution Requirement at another Missouri institution.
- Have a previous bachelors degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited institution.
- Have an Associate of Arts degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Complete the 42 Hour Core at a Missouri institution and have it listed on the official transcript.
Major Requirements
Students must successfully complete the major requirements below with at least 12 hours of the noted upper division (300+) course requirements completed at UMKC.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THEATRE 101 | Introduction To Acting | 3 |
| THEATRE 113 | Introduction To Technical Production | 3 |
| THEATRE 113B | Introduction to Technical Production - Costuming | 3 |
| THEATRE 113C | Introduction to Technical Production: Light/Sound | 3 |
| THEATRE 180 & 180A & 180B & 180C | Theatre Practicum and Practicum - Costume Studio and Practicum - Lighting Studio and Practicum - Production Assistant | 4 |
| THEATRE 200 | Script Analysis | 3 |
| THEATRE 350 | Theatre History I | 3 |
| THEATRE 351WI | Theatre History II | 3 |
| THEATRE 378 | Stage Management I | 3 |
| THEATRE 415 | Beginning Directing | 3 |
| THEATRE 451 | World Theatre | 3 |
| THEATRE 499 | Theatre Capstone | 1 |
| Theatre Electives (12 hours at the 300 level or above) | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 50 | |
General Electives
Students must take elective credit hours to meet the minimum credit hour requirement for their degree, including at least 36 credit hours of coursework at the 300-level or above. The minimum required by the university is 120 credit hours, of which at least 30 credit hours must be taken at UMKC, but some degree programs require more.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Electives | 37 | |
Minimum GPA: 2.0
Total Credit Hours: 120
Tools for Planning and Fulfilling Academic Requirements
UMKC's Major Maps are detailed, semester by semester plans that lead a student to complete all degree requirements within four years. Plans include benchmarks and critical courses by term that assist a student’s evaluation of progress and major “fit”. In order to ensure that the appropriate courses are taken, students are encouraged to consult with the undergraduate advisor for this major. Please see the tab above to view the major map for this program.
UMKC’s Transfer Guides provide detailed guidance on recommended transfer coursework, plans of study, transfer timelines, and transfer contact information. To ensure a seamless transfer experience, students are encouraged to work with both their community college advisor and a UMKC advisor when planning their coursework.
UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Audit’ degree audit system provides an individual evaluation of all degree requirements (General Education, Degree Specific, Major Specific, etc.) for students' officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study. This evaluation is used to certify all graduation requirements.
UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Plans’ degree planning tool enables students to develop a personalized semester by semester plan of study towards completion of degree requirements for student’s officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study. Update and edit your full plan to degree completion each term and confirm accuracy each semester with your Academic Advisor(s).
