Declaring a Major

Declaring a Major in Theatre

The Theatre Major
The Department of Theatre is not a limited enrollment major and thus any UM student may declare Theatre as a major. An audition, review, or interview is not required. The Theatre major requires 55 credits of course work -- with 27 credits at upper level -- and two 400-level Theatre History courses. It is a considerable amount of varied and complex work. This is not a major to be added without considerable thought as to the impact on your ability to graduate in a timely fashion. The Theatre Department has mandatory advising each semester; this is not an option and advising blocks will not be lifted without the required advising session.

What do I need to know before becoming a Theatre major?
First, take a look at the Curriculum Requirements for the Theatre Major listed on this page: http://www.theatre.umd.edu/Undergraduate/Advising/newcurriculum.html
Next, take a look at the Theatre Undergraduate Handbook at http://www.theatre.umd.edu/Undergraduate/handbook.html where you can find out about advising, internships, comp tickets, scholarships, auditioning, and just about everything that goes on in the Department.
Then, take a look at the web page for the College of Arts and Humanities Student Resources at http://www.arhu.umd.edu/studentresources/index.html
Finally, take a look at the web site for the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center located at http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu/2007/

What's the first step to declaring Theatre as a major?
All students must create an Academic Plan (http://www.arhu.umd.edu/academicplans/) integrating major requirements, CORE and ARHU requirements. Your Theatre Advisor will give you a packet of information to assist you in filling out the "major" portion of this grid. Once your plan has been approved at the Department level, you must complete a workshop to instruct you to fill out the rest of the form. Contact the College of Arts and Humanities for workshop availability. When the paperwork is turned in at the Office of Student Affairs at the College of Arts and Humanities, your change of major will become official.

When can a Theatre Major be declared?
A Theatre Major or Double Major may be declared in any semester that you are registered at the University of Maryland. Students should successfully complete their first semester at UM before adding a double major. Students who are not currently registered and are candidates for re-enrollment, must contact the Registrar's Office to re-enroll before declaring Theatre as a Major. It is strongly suggested that students be in good academic standing when changing majors or adding a second major. Your Theatre advisor may suggest registering for a class on a trial basis before actually declaring the major.

Appointments to declare a Theatre Major are not scheduled the week before classes begin in the fall and spring as well as the first full week of classes. In addition, appointments will not be scheduled from the week before Pre-Registration begins until the last week of Pre-Registration. Appointments may be scheduled at any other time. Entry level Theatre courses require the student to be a Major, so declaring in the time period before Pre-Registration begins is advisable. Waiting to declare after Pre-Registration is over will result in Theatre courses being full and your waiting a semester to begin your coursework. Meeting Departmental benchmarks at 30-60-90 credits is mandatory; students who do not fulfill these requirements may be asked to select another major.

Scheduling the Advising Session to declare Theatre as a Major: