AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE, TELEVISION, AND FILM

Welcome to the School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University.  One of only a handful of university programs in the country where the study of theatre arts, television, and film are housed within one academic unit, we are committed to an integrated approach to the training of the next generation of entertainment artists. 

Our curriculum builds on the common roots that unite our disciplines and provides numerous opportunities for collaboration between our students, faculty, and staff both in the classroom and on creative projects.  We are dedicated to providing a well-rounded education for our students and our courses reflect a balance between historical context, theoretical exploration, and practical experience.

With over 500 students in our various undergraduate and graduate programs, TTF provides numerous opportunities for production experiences and creative collaborations. However, the majority of our classes remain small enabling students to work one-on-one with faculty and staff. Our diverse student population coupled with our innovative curriculum creates an atmosphere for individual expression and innovative artistic initiatives. 

Our 56 full- and part-time faculty and staff members are committed to the academic and artistic excellence of our programs.  Nationally and internationally recognized for their work, many of our faculty/staff maintain professional careers in the industry.  Not only does this “real-world” experience enhance their teaching but it provides important links for our students to all facets of the entertainment industry.    

Opportunities for inter-disciplinary and professional collaborations are also available beyond the School of Theatre, Television, and Film.  TTF is one of nine departments/ schools in the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts.  Unique and exciting collaborations have grown from the dynamics of this diverse college, providing excellent opportunities for innovative, creative interaction between the faculty and students of PSFA . For more information, visit http://psfa.sdsu.edu.  With 33,000 students, SDSU is the largest institution of higher education in the San Diego region.  Offering bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 72 and doctorates in 16, it is distinguished by direct faculty contact and an increasingly international emphasis that prepares the SDSU student for a global future.  For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

San Diego County is one the premier arts and cultural regions in the nation.  Home to a thriving arts community, San Diego can boast two Tony Award-winning theatres (the Globe Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse) as well as smaller, diverse companies (many founded by SDSU alums) throughout the county; the nationally recognized San Diego Opera and San Diego Symphony; numerous dance companies, museums, and art galleries; and 7 annual film festivals including the San Diego Film Festival, a five day event showcasing the best in American and International features, documentaries, and short films. Our climate and diverse geography as well as our proximity to the Mexico border and the Pacific Ocean has made San Diego a desirable location for feature films and television series.  TTF has a long association with these arts organizations and many provide our students with internships, employment opportunities, and professional experiences. For more information, click on the link to Professional Resources or visit www.sandiego.org 

We know selecting a university program is an important decision for you and your family and that you have many options from which to choose.  Whether you are seeking a career in the entertainment industry, in the academic world, or simply have a love for theatre, television, and film, we hope you consider SDSU.  Please take a few minutes and explore our website and find out more about our school.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have further questions.  We think you will find us an exciting and dynamic program to study your discipline, perfect your craft, and grow as an artist and as an individual. 

DEGREE PROGRAMS

The Theatre program offers the undergraduate Theatre Arts Major with the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Applied Arts and Sciences.  Students may select the General Theatre Arts Program or choose an Emphasis in Children’s Drama, Performance, Design & Technology for the Theatre, or Design for Television and Film.  A Theatre Arts Minor is also available.  On the graduate level, the Theatre program offers the Master of Arts degree in Theatre Arts as well as the Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and the Master of Fine Arts in Design and Technical Theatre.  For further information, go to the Theatre section.

The Television and Film program offers the Television, Film and New Media Production Major (TFM) with the Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Arts and Sciences.  A TFM Minor is also available.  On the graduate level, a Master of Arts degree in TFM is offered.  For further information on these programs, go to the TFM area.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

For specific information on the process of admission to San Diego State University, please visit www.sdsu.edu/prospective.html

For information on admission to the undergraduate and graduate programs in Theatre, please visit the appropriate area within the Theatre section of this website.

For information on admission to the undergraduate and graduate program in Television and Film (TFM), including the petitioning process, please visit the Television and Film section of this website.