该系的目标是在为MFA学位的候选人提供培训时，旨在为有才华的学生提供成为熟练工匠的工具，机会和技能。所有设计候选人都共享三门基础课程的共同核心，学分时数是已执行项目和学术课程作业的结合，旨在发展特定技能，发挥优势和克服劣势。所有设计和技术专业的学生都将与他们的咨询委员会合作，制定一份学习计划计划，该计划将其主要和次要学习领域纳入其中。MFA设计专业的学生可以学习的领域是服装设计，照明设计，景观设计，声音设计和技术指导。设计项目由研究生咨询委员会分配或批准，并且基于候选人的自我评估和咨询委员会的评估。项目以
The Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Memphis fosters the development of our students on an individual basis. We offer a BFA in Theatre with concentrations in performance, musical theatre, dance, dance science and design and technical production as well as an MFA in Theatre with concentrations in directing and design and technical production. We tailor our program to your needs. We are large enough to offer dynamic performance, design, and crew opportunities both in the classroom and in our four performances spaces.<br>We also create an intimate community for intense one-on-one learning opportunities. Our diverse faculty nurtures the individual progress of each student, be they a budding costume designer, a musical theatre performer, or stage manager. We are both a generalized program (where students can explore all areas of theatre) and a specialized one (where students can hone an area of focus).<br>The goal of the department, when training a candidate for the MFA degree, is to provide the tools, opportunities and skills for the talented student to become a master craftsman. All design candidates share the common core of three foundation courses, the balance of credit hours is a mix of executed projects and academic coursework designed to develop specific skills, implement strengths and overcome weaknesses. All design and technology students develop a plan of study document that incorporates their primary and secondary areas of study in collaboration with their advising committee. Areas of study available to the MFA design student are Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Sound Design and Technical Direction. Design projects are assigned or approved by the graduate advising committee and are based on a candidate's self-evaluation and the evaluation of the advising committee. Projects culminate with a practicum (thesis) project and a comprehensive exam that includes both written and oral portions.