Master’s Degree in Themed Experience

Program Overview

The Themed Experience track of UCF's Master of Fine Arts in Theatre prepares students for leadership roles in the themed experience industry. Through rigorous coursework and industry internships, graduates develop expertise in design, production, and management of immersive environments such as theme parks, museums, and retail spaces. The program leverages Orlando's status as a hub for themed entertainment to provide students with unique connections and practical experience.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Fine Arts in Theatre, Themed Experience track prepares students to be the next generation of creative leaders in the themed experience industry. The program teaches the unique creative and production skills, process and concepts utilized to design and produce themed environments such as theme parks, zoos, aquariums, themed retail, dining, museums, virtual worlds and exhibitions. Pulling from the strength and diversity of UCF’s School of Performing Arts and from the direct connection to leaders in the field, this unique program takes advantage of the university’s ideal location in Orlando, the international hub of the themed entertainment industry. Themed Experience track graduates will be qualified to work as an art director, show producer, designer, production artist, or creative executive for the production of themed experiences.

Outline:

The Master of Fine Arts in Themed Experience track program offers a rigorous course of study of 61 credit hours minimum, culminating in a collaborative creative project and thesis as well as an industry or academic internship. Of the 61 credit hours required for the degree, 32 credit hours are required and core courses of which up to 12 credit hours are electives. There is a 6 credit hour thesis project and up to 11 hours of industry internship credits.

Required Courses:

• Core 6 Total Credits:
• THE5910 - Research Methods in Theatre (3)
• TPA6437 - Careers in Themed Experience (3)
• Themed Experience Concentration 26 Total Credits:
• THE5288 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor I (3)
• THE5289 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor II (3)
• THE5945L - Theatre Practicum I (1)
• TPA6187 - Themed Experience Seminar (3)
• TPA5085C - Design Seminar for Theatre (2)
• TPA6158 - Small Project Studio (3)
• TPA6186 - Immersive Experience Studio (3)
• TPA6188 - Visualizing Themed Environments (3)
• TPA6921 - Collaborative Project Studio (3)
• TPP5248C - Storytelling as a Theatrical Art Form (2)
• Elective Courses 12 Total Credits:
• Choose 2 College of Arts and Humanities electives and 2 Rosen College of Hospitality electives:
• HMG Themed Entertainment Graduate courses (6 credit hours total)
• CAH Graduate level courses (6 credit hours total)
• Any other graduate-level courses may be permitted with school approval.
• Internship/Elective 11 Total Credits Preferred Minimum:
• THE6948 - Professional Internship (4)
• THE6946 - Internship (1 - 99)
• TPP6946 - Internship (1 - 99)
• Students may substitute graduate elective credit hours for internship credit hours with permission of the program director.
• Thesis 6 Total Credits:
• THE6971 - Thesis (1 - 99)
• Critique and Evaluation 0 Total Credits:
• A final critique and evaluation of creative work is administered to all MFA majors at the end of their course work.
The department allows two attempts at the final critique and evaluation.
• Independent Learning 0 Total Credits:
• The Independent Learning Requirement is met by successful completion of a master's thesis.

Suggested Course Schedule:

• Year 1
• Fall:
11 Credit Hours
• THE 5288 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor I 3 Credit Hours
• THE 5910 - Research Methods in Theatre 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 5085C - Design Seminar for Theatre 2 Credit Hours
• TPA 6187 - Themed Experience Seminar 3 Credit Hours
• Spring:
9 Credit Hours
• THE 5289 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor II 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6158 - Small Project Studio 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6188 - Visualizing Themed Environments 3 Credit Hours
• Year 2
• Fall:
11 Credit Hours
• TPP 5248C - Storytelling as a Theatrical Art Form 2 Credit Hours
• TPA 6186 - Immersive Experience Studio 3 Credit Hours
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours
• Spring:
10 Credit Hours
• TPA 6437 - Careers in Themed Experience 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6921 - Collaborative Project Studio 4 Credit Hours
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours
• Year 3
• Fall:
9 Credit Hours
• THE 6971 - Thesis 3 Credit Hours
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours
• Internship or Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours
• Spring:
11 Credit Hours
• THE 6971 - Thesis 3 Credit Hours
• Internship or Graduate Electives 8 Credit Hours

Careers:

Themed Experience track graduates will be qualified to work as an art director, show producer, designer, production artist, or creative executive for the production of themed experiences.

Other:

• Students applying for entrance into the MFA Programs must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree program from an accredited institution which UCF recognizes.
Concentration or experience in the visual, written, or performing arts is preferred.
• Students must maintain a minimum "B" (3.00) overall Theatre GPA to continue in the major.
All graduate course work must be at the 5000 level or above with at least 50% of the coursework at the 6000 level or above. Theatre courses with grades of less than "C" will not be counted toward degree requirements. Continuation in the MFA program requires a positive annual evaluation. All graduate students must consult with an area adviser. All MFA students must successfully complete a creative thesis project. The thesis project must be approved in advance.
• Candidates must demonstrate the ability to understand the conceptual basis of the themed experience and to be able to articulate that understanding to others.
• Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans.
The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
• Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students.
They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation.