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. David A. Donkor (dadonkor@tamu.edu).

Curriculum Vitae

Your CV should outline your academic background and accomplishments, including (if applicable) prizes, scholarships, conference presentations, and publications.

Every year, the Performance Studies program nominates up to five applicants for the Avilés-Johnson Fellowship. The fellowship covers the costs of tuition, fees, and health insurance.

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:

  1. a TOEFL score of at least 80 on TOEFL iBT (550 paper-based)
  2. an IELTS score of at least 6.0
  3. a GRE Verbal Reasoning score of at least 146 (400 on the old scale)
  4. a GMAT Verbal score of at least 22
  5. 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 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. David A. Donkor at dadonkor@tamu.edu.