UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television

UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television is one of the most respected performing arts programs on the West Coast, housed within one of the world's top-ranked public universities in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The school brings together theater, film, television, and digital media under a single academic umbrella, creating an interdisciplinary environment that reflects the reality of the modern entertainment industry. The MFA Acting program benefits from UCLA's proximity to Hollywood's major studios, production companies, and casting offices, providing students with an industry-adjacent training experience that is difficult to replicate on the East Coast or in the Midwest. The school's facilities include the Billy Wilder Theater and connections to the renowned Geffen Playhouse, which was founded in 1995 and operates near campus. UCLA's broader reputation as a top-five public university in the country lends additional prestige to its arts programs, and the school's alumni network extends deep into every corner of the entertainment industry. The program has trained actors, directors, writers, and filmmakers who have gone on to shape American entertainment across decades.

In 2025, UCLA's MFA Acting program operates as an intensive graduate training program that leverages the school's unique position at the intersection of theater and the film and television industry. The curriculum includes classical and contemporary scene work, voice and speech training, movement, and significant on-camera technique — reflecting the reality that most UCLA acting graduates will work primarily in film and television given the program's Los Angeles location. A distinctive feature of the program is the cross-disciplinary collaboration with MFA directors, screenwriters, and cinematographers within the school, giving acting students the experience of working on student films and television projects alongside emerging filmmakers. This collaboration produces actors who are comfortable on set and understand the technical demands of screen performance. The program culminates in an annual actors showcase for graduating students that draws agents, managers, and casting directors from across the Los Angeles industry. Important note: the MFA Acting program is not accepting applications for Fall 2026, so prospective students should check the program's website for updated admission cycle information.

Admission to UCLA's MFA Acting program, when it is accepting applications, requires a bachelor's degree and a comprehensive application that includes an audition, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. The audition process evaluates acting ability, on-camera presence, vocal quality, and physical expressiveness, with a particular eye toward actors who can thrive in the screen-heavy environment of Los Angeles. UCLA's graduate admission rate is approximately 19%, though the MFA Acting program is significantly more competitive than the university average given its small cohort size. Applicants should have substantial prior training or professional experience, and the program particularly values actors who are committed to developing careers in film and television. The FAFSA deadline for financial aid consideration is March 2, and prospective students should file early to maximize their eligibility. As of 2025, the program is not accepting applications for the upcoming cycle, so interested applicants should monitor the school's website for announcements about future admission periods.

The MFA curriculum is designed to develop actors who are equally skilled on stage and on camera, with a particular emphasis on the technical demands of screen performance that reflect UCLA's position in the heart of the film and television industry. Training covers classical acting technique, contemporary scene study, voice and speech with dialect work, movement and physical expressiveness, and extensive on-camera work in professional-grade studios. The cross-disciplinary collaboration with MFA directors, writers, and cinematographers is one of the program's most distinctive features — acting students regularly appear in thesis films and television projects produced by their fellow students, gaining practical set experience and building collaborative relationships with emerging filmmakers. Students also perform in stage productions at UCLA's theater venues, maintaining their theatrical skills alongside their screen training. The program provides professional development workshops on the business of acting, including audition technique for film and television, self-taping, and navigating the LA casting landscape. Guest directors, casting directors, and industry professionals regularly visit the program, providing students with direct exposure to the working professionals who will shape their careers.

UCLA's MFA Acting program attracts actors who are serious about building careers in the film and television industry and who want the advantage of training in Los Angeles alongside emerging filmmakers. The school's alumni network in Hollywood is vast and influential: notable alumni from the broader School of Theater, Film and Television include James Dean, Francis Ford Coppola, Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Mariska Hargitay, and Michael Stuhlbarg, among many others. The program draws students from across the United States and internationally, and the small cohort size creates a tight-knit ensemble that supports members throughout their careers. UCLA's reputation as a world-class public university carries genuine weight in the entertainment industry, and the Westwood location places students in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Graduates frequently find representation and begin auditioning professionally during or immediately after their training, benefiting from the program's industry connections and showcase. The collaborative relationships built with MFA filmmakers during training often lead to professional opportunities as those peers begin their own careers in the industry.

Tuition at UCLA varies by residency status, with out-of-state graduate students paying approximately $40,000 per year and California residents paying significantly less. Teaching assistantships and fellowships are available to offset costs for graduate students, and the university's financial aid office works with admitted students to create financial packages. As a public university, UCLA's tuition is substantially lower than comparable private programs like USC, Columbia, or NYU, making it one of the more affordable elite options for actors who can establish California residency. The FAFSA deadline is March 2 for full financial aid consideration. The total cost of attendance including living expenses in Los Angeles is higher than the tuition alone suggests, as Westwood and surrounding neighborhoods have a high cost of living. However, compared to private university MFA programs that can cost $60,000-$80,000 per year, UCLA's public university pricing represents strong value, particularly for California residents.

UCLA's MFA Acting program is the ideal choice for actors who are committed to building careers in film and television and want the unique advantage of training in Los Angeles alongside emerging filmmakers, directors, and writers. If you value cross-disciplinary collaboration and want to be working on set during your training, not just after graduation, UCLA offers an experience that East Coast programs cannot replicate. The program is particularly well-suited for actors who are comfortable with on-camera work and want to develop the technical skills specific to screen performance. Actors who are primarily interested in theater and classical training should consider Yale, Juilliard, or Carnegie Mellon, which offer deeper theatrical curricula. If you want to be in Los Angeles but prefer a fully funded MFA, USC's School of Dramatic Arts now offers tuition-free graduate training. For actors who want public university affordability with a strong theater focus, UNCSA and University of Michigan are excellent alternatives. Check the program's current admission status before applying, as the Fall 2026 pause may affect your timeline.

If the program is not currently admitting when you plan to apply, use the waiting period to build your professional credits, take classes at LA-based studios, and develop relationships in the local theater and film community that will serve you when you eventually enroll. Establish California residency as early as possible if you are an out-of-state student, as the in-state tuition rate represents a dramatic savings. Take full advantage of the cross-disciplinary collaboration by actively seeking out MFA filmmakers, writers, and directors to work with on their projects — these relationships are among the most valuable professional connections you will build during your training. Immerse yourself in the Los Angeles industry from day one by attending screenings, festivals, and industry events, and by seeing live theater at venues like the Geffen Playhouse, Center Theatre Group, and the many smaller companies across the city. Prepare thoroughly for the actors showcase, as it is your primary introduction to the agents and casting directors who will shape your early career. Build relationships with UCLA's vast alumni network in the entertainment industry, as the Bruin community is known for being generous with mentorship and referrals.