Due to the ongoing broad reorganization plans occurring university-wide this year, admissions for the 2022–2023 academic year have been suspended. We currently plan to accept students for the 2023–2024 year.
Prospective students must apply through the Texas A&M University GraduateCAS (Centralized Application Service).
In addition to the university graduate admission requirements, the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program requires the following. We do not require GRE scores.
Statement of Purpose
Your statement of purpose should be no longer than 2 pages, double-spaced, and should focus on your academic experience and interests. We are primarily interested in details about your intellectual interests (what you would like to study and why), as well as any relevant details about your previous experience with performance and performance studies. Details about academic accomplishments such as publications, presentations at conferences, etc. should also be included.
One Writing Sample
Writing samples should be critical essays, 2500–4000 words, with no professor’s comments or grades. Writing samples should be carefully edited and proofread.
Three Letters of Recommendation
Letters can be submitted through the GraduateCAS portal or via email to Dr. Leonardo Cardoso (cardoso@tamu.edu).
Curriculum Vitae
Your CV should outline your academic background and accomplishments, including (if applicable) prizes, scholarships, conference presentations, and publications.
One-page Diversity Statement (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only)
Every year, the Department of Performance Studies nominates up to five applicants for the Avilés-Johnson Fellowship. The fellowship covers the costs of tuition, fees, and health insurance. Eligible nominees should meet one of the following criteria:
- Belong to gender, racial or ethnic groups that have been historically underrepresented in graduate study in their discipline, in the United States, or at TAMU
- Have attended a minority-serving institution for at least two years of their undergraduate degree or have an undergraduate degree conferred from a minority-serving institution, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education
- Have a disability defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as described in Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended
- Be a veteran of the U.S. military
- Come from a disadvantaged background, as defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
More information about the Avilés-Johnson Fellowship
English Language Proficiency Verification
International applicants must verify their English language proficiency by submitting one of the following:
- a TOEFL score of at least 80 on TOEFL iBT (550 paper-based)
- an IELTS score of at least 6.0
- a GRE Verbal Reasoning score of at least 146 (400 on the old scale)
- a GMAT Verbal score of at least 22
- a PTE Academic score of at least 53
Unofficial scores can be uploaded to the GraduateCAS portal. Official scores should be sent by the testing service directly to the Office of Admissions.
Citizens of certain English speaking countries are exempt from the verification requirement.
An international graduate student holding a master’s degree, or completing all years of a bachelor’s degree or higher, from an accredited institution located in the U.S. qualifies for alternative verification.
Contact
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Leonardo Cardoso at cardoso@tamu.edu.