Temple has the only program in Philadelphia devoted specifically to writing for the theater, the Graduate Playwriting Program. This program leads to a master's degree and is designed to accommodate the working writer with evening and weekend classes.
The program requires 60 semester hours of classes including a four-course series on play writing and classes on adaptation, research and teaching. Finally, students must write a full-length play, which serves as the graduate thesis.
Playwright training is offered through the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. Unlike Temple, Drexel's program does not focus specifically on play writing, so students have to take classes in other media such as screenwriting. However, a thorough series of classes on play writing includes instruction rhythm, dialogue, dramatic tension, interacting with theater directors and expectations of stage actors. For students who are interested in both play writing and screenwriting, the program shares many classes with the film department, and it is easy to double major or pick up a film minor.
UArts has a bachelor of fine arts program devoted to play writing, stage direction and production. Even students who are interested only in writing can benefit from this program because it prepares them to work with directors and producers. Lower-division classes cover the fundamentals of theater production, but the upper-division courses teach students advanced practical skills such as script analysis, art criticism and advanced play writing. Students in the program are also expected to participate in school productions during their junior and senior years as writers, directors or producers. On average the school puts on 12 to 14 shows each year.
Penn's theater arts bachelor's degree program provides students with an academic and practical understanding of theater. Students attend classes on theater history and criticism; other classes teach concrete skills such as directing and stage production. Theater arts students are also welcome to attend relevant classes in Penn's creative writing program such as the Playwriting Workshop. The program at Penn is a good jumping-off point for students who want to continue their studies at a graduate conservatory.