MFA Funding Policy
Department of Theatre & Dance
Master of Fine Arts students entering Fall 2024 and beyond:
All newly admitted graduate students who remain within their support time limit (SUTL)*
receive: full payment of tuition & campus fees, a monthly salary based on department
employment, and payment of non-resident tuition for their first year in the program (if
applicable).
The monthly salary will be paid through employment as a Teaching Assistant (TA)
and/or as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR). Employment in either of these roles
for at least 10 hours/week will also enable students to receive comprehensive health
insurance (UCSHIP). Students are normally required to work up to a maximum of 20
hours/week as a TA and/or GSR. Students must accept the assignment or forfeit the
monthly salary.**
For any non-California residents, the Department pays the student's non-resident
supplemental tuition for their first year. Students must apply for and become a California
Resident by the start of their second year to avoid paying non-resident supplemental
tuition costs out of pocket. The Department will pay nonresident tuition for international
students who are not eligible for California Residency for the duration of their support
time limit (SUTL).***
For more student financial support information visit the Grad Division website.
*MFA Acting, Design, Stage Management, and Directing students have a SUTL of 8 quarters. MFA
Playwriting students have a SUTL of 9 quarters.
**Financial support in the department is also contingent upon full-time registration (12 units/quarter),
satisfactory progress toward degree completion, and remaining within campus support time limits.
***The Department reserves the right to adjust the funding policy from year to year as the University of
California, UC San Diego, Graduate Division, School of Arts & Humanities, or Department of Theatre &
Dance conditions, policies or directives apply.
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