UCLA

Established in 1947, UCLA TFT uniquely merges theatre, film, and television training within one of the nation’s foremost public universities. Home to approximately 315 undergraduate and 328 graduate students, the school fosters a tight-knit, professionally oriented learning environment supported by about 140 full-time faculty members. Accredited by foundational industry organizations, TFT continues a legacy of leadership in storytelling, media studies, and interdisciplinary arts spanning stage and screen.

Undergraduates can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Theater, with options to specialize in acting, playwriting, directing, performance studies, and design/production—including roles in lighting, scenic, sound, and costume disciplines. Graduate-level offerings include MFA tracks in Acting, Playwriting, Directing, and Design for Theater & Entertainment, plus PhDs in Theater & Performance Studies—all emphasizing small classes, mentorship, and individualized artistic growth.

Production is a central pillar of TFT training. Students work on live performances in conjunction with faculty-led and student-directed projects, often in partnership with renowned institutions like the Geffen Playhouse, which is owned and operated by UCLA . Design students gain real-world experience by working on sets, costumes, and lighting for both theater and student film productions, while graduate design courses culminate in an intensive Design Thesis Project.

TFT emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, creative innovation, and social impact. The Skoll Center for Social Impact Entertainment, housed within TFT, supports research and programs that use storytelling to advance social change—a unique feature of the school’s ethos and coursework. The faculty, which includes scholars like Sue‑Ellen Case in critical studies and powerhouses in voice, design, and performance, guide students in developing both personal vision and professional competence.

The school’s alumni roster features industry titans—Francis Ford Coppola, James Dean, Julie Dash, Nancy Cartwright, Alex Cox, Dean Cundey, and many others—contributing to award tallies that exceed 111 Oscar nominations, 96 Golden Globes, 425 Emmys, and 29 Tony nods. Whether aspiring scholar-artists or industry professionals, graduates benefit from a curriculum rooted in artistic rigor, social engagement, and expansive professional networks.