Roadmap: Theatre Arts, BA

The following roadmap is a sample advising map to complete the degree program in four years. Please consult your MyPlanner and major advisor as you develop your individualized academic plan. Students must have completed 60+ units in order to enroll in GE UD courses.

*Courses marked with an asterisk may be taken in a different semester than listed.

Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

Year 1

Fall Semester (15 units)

GE Area 1A 3 unit(s)
TA 5 - Beginning Acting 3 unit(s) OR TA 55 Intro to Design for the Performing Arts 3 unit(s) (GE Area 3A)
TA 11 - Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism 3 unit(s)
TA 51A , TA 51B , and TA 51C (Fall only) ¹ OR University Elective 3 unit(s)
One course from: ART 44HA , DSGN 44HA , ENGL 44HA , HUM 44HA , or PHIL 44HA - Design Your Life, Design Your Semester, Design Your World 3 unit(s)

Spring Semester (15 units)

GE Area 1B 3 unit(s)
GE Area 2 3 unit(s)
GE Area 6 3 unit(s)
Production Participation ² (TA 112 OR TA 117 OR TA 191 ) 3 unit(s)
TA 51A , TA 51B , and TA 51D (Spring only) ¹ OR University Elective 3 unit(s)

Year 2

Fall Semester (15-16 units)

Complete the Upper Division Writing - Directed Self Placement
GE Area 3B (Recommend
TA 13 - Great Comedies for Theatre
) 3 unit(s)
GE Area 4 + US 1 or US 2-3 3 unit(s)*
GE Area 5A / 5C 3-4 unit(s)
TA 170A - Introduction to Acting and Directing for the Camera 3 unit(s)
TA 191 - Theatre Production Workshop
3 unit(s) ²

Spring Semester (15-16 units)

GE Area 1C 3 unit(s)*
GE Area 4 + US 1 or US 2-3 3 unit(s)*
GE Area 5B / 5C 3-4 unit(s)*
TA 17 - Intermediate Acting
3 unit(s)
Theatre Arts Elective - Lower or Upper Division 3 unit(s)*

Year 3

Fall Semester (15 units)

100W (Recommend TA 100W ) 3 unit(s) (WID)
TA 128 - Introduction to Playwriting
3 unit(s) (Fall only) ³ OR GE Upper Division Area 2/5 3 unit(s)
TA 120 - World Theatre I 3 unit(s)
TA 154 - Scenic Design for Performing Arts
3 unit(s) (Fall only) ⁴ OR University Elective 3 unit(s)
Upper Division Humanities & Arts Elective Course 3 unit(s)

Spring Semester (15 units)

GE Upper Division Area 3 (Recommend
TA 127 - Contemporary Theatre and Performance Arts
) 3 unit(s)
TA 116 - Introduction to Stage Directing
3 unit(s) (Spring only) ³ OR GE Upper Division Area 2/5 3 unit(s)
TA 121 - World Theatre II 3 unit(s)
TA 151 - Lighting Design for Performing Arts
3 unit(s) (Spring only) ⁴ OR
TA 153 - Costume Design for Performing Arts
3 unit(s) (Spring only) ⁴ OR University Elective 3 unit(s)
University Elective - Lower or Upper Division 3 unit(s)
Apply to Graduate

Year 4

Fall Semester (14 units)

GE Upper Division Area 4 (Recommend
RTVF 110 - Media and Culture
) 3 unit(s)
Physical Education 2 unit(s)*⁵
Production Participation ² (TA 112 or TA 117 or TA 191 ) 3 unit(s)
Theatre Arts Elective - Lower or Upper Division 3 unit(s)
University Elective - Lower or Upper Division 3 unit(s)

Spring Semester (15 units)

TA 198 - Internship 3 unit(s)
Theatre Arts Upper Division Elective 3 unit(s)
University Elective - Upper Division 3 unit(s)
University Elective - Lower or Upper Division 3 unit(s)
University Elective - Lower or Upper Division 3 unit(s)

Roadmap Notes

*Courses marked with an asterisk may be taken in a different semester than listed.

Lower division courses should generally be taken in years 1-2, and upper division courses in years 3-4. Students should work with an academic advisor to create an individual roadmap using the MyPlanner tool.

¹Choose either TA 51C (FALL) or TA 51D (SPRING)

²Theatre majors are required to take 9 units of upper-division courses that participate in a production at SJSU. Of those 9 units, 3 units need to be TA 191 (Production Workshop).

The remaining 6 units could be taken from courses that have a public performance component, specifically the following: TA 103 , TA 112 , TA 117 , TA 131 , or TA 191 .

TA 103 may be repeated once for a total of 6 units, TA 131 may not be repeated for credit.

³ Choose either TA 128 (FALL ONLY) or TA 116 (SPRING ONLY)

⁴Choose either TA 154 (FALL ONLY) or TA 151 or TA 153 (SPRING ONLY)

⁵Some DANC courses may satisfy the University’s Physical Education requirement.

A minimum of 120 units is required for this degree.