by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, directing and theatrical production was the 810th most popular major nationwide with 219 degrees awarded. This represents a 16.9% reduction in directing and theatrical production degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 256.
Our 2023 Best Directing & Theatrical Production Schools ranking analyzes 35 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for directing and theatrical production students. Explore this or one of our many other custom directing and theatrical production rankings further below.
Talking to others to convey information effectively has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to directing and theatrical production. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic directing and theatrical production program qualifications, to serve in some directing and theatrical production careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Directing and Theatrical Production degree levels vary. Directing & Theatrical Production programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest directing and theatrical production degree you can get. Depending on the directing and theatrical production degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to directing and theatrical production, with approximately 40.6% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for directing and theatrical production workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 37.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 8.1% |
| High School Diploma | 7.5% |
Most workers in directing and theatrical production have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in directing and theatrical production have received.
The education level required is different depending on the directing and theatrical production career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your directing and theatrical production degree? Directing & Theatrical Production careers are expected to grow 11.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to directing and theatrical production.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | 151,200 | 12.2% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
| Actors | 71,200 | 11.6% |
| Sports Entertainers and Performers | 28,900 | 8.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for directing and theatrical production graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for directing and theatrical production graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers directing and theatrical production grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $89,840 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
With over 81 different directing and theatrical production degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased directing and theatrical production school rankings to help you with this.
One of 9 majors within the Drama & Theater Arts area of study, Directing & Theatrical Production has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theater Arts | 11,385 |
| Acting | 1,793 |
| Theater Design & Technology | 1,164 |
| Musical Theater | 995 |
| Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft | 862 |
View All Directing and Theatrical Production Related Majors >
Image Credit: By Donald Judge under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
