The BA in Dramatic Arts program combines a liberal arts education with an intensive study of the dramatic arts. Offered in cooperation with the USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and tailored to each student’s needs, this program offers a firm grounding in all aspects of the dramatic arts while allowing students the freedom to select courses they feel will benefit their own interests and career goals. From classical theatre to stand-up comedy, from playwriting to content creation, from critical studies to entrepreneurialism in the dramatic arts, you can choose your own path.

Candidates for the BA degrees must also complete a series of general education courses required by the university. The USC Core and General Education Program has been designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to be informed citizens of the 21st century, who understand its challenges and participate in the debates of their time. It requires eight courses in six Core Literacies, plus two courses in Global Perspectives (which may double-count with courses in the Core Literacies) and two courses in writing. All BA students must also meet a foreign-language requirement.

For complete curriculum requirements, please visit the USC Catalogue for the Dramatic Arts (BA) major.

We break the mold on career preparation by being the first drama school with a dedicated professional development center, a one-of-a-kind support office devoted to supporting our students and recent graduates as they establish successful careers as performers, creators and cultural innovators. Additionally, a wide range of distinguished talents and industry leaders of the stage, screen and digital media lead professional development sessions, lectures and master classes.

As a major center of American theatre and, of course, a world center for film and television production, the city is home to an unmatched community of artists upon which the School draws for its faculty and guest artists. By working with professionals, our students receive practical insights into their art and the crucial experience of performing in “real world” conditions. They also make professional contacts that are critical for starting a career.