BFA Degrees in Partnership with Circle in the Square Theatre School

Combine a liberal arts education with conservatory training

The BFA degree program offers qualified students the opportunity to combine a liberal arts education at Eckerd College with two years of professional conservatory theatre training at Circle in the Square Theatre School, located in the Broadway district of New York City. Read our news announcement.

The Theatre Discipline offers a 2 + 2 program through an articulation agreement with Circle in the Square Theatre School. This partnership results in a choice of one of two degrees granted by Eckerd College: either a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre or a BFA in Musical Theatre.

Founded in 1961, Circle in the Square Theatre School is the nation’s only conservatory housed in a Broadway Theatre. The nationally accredited theatre institution has many notable alumni including Kevin Bacon, Benecio del Toro, Idina Menzel and Maura Tierney.

A student will follow one of two paths to earn either a BFA in Theatre or a BFA in Musical Theatre.

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Start at Eckerd, transfer to Circle in the Square Theatre School

Students who successfully complete their first two years of study at Eckerd College and who are accepted by audition to Circle in the Square Theatre School will then complete their junior and senior years at Circle.

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Start at Circle in the Square Theatre School, transfer to Eckerd

Students who transfer to Eckerd with two full years of study (with passing grades and two-year certificate) from Circle in the Square Theatre School, either in Acting or in Musical Theatre, may pursue a BFA degree in Theatre or a BFA degree in Musical Theatre.

Student actors on stage for Scenes from Metamorphoses

2+2 Program: How it works

  • Two full years of study (with passing grades and two-year certificate) at Circle in the Square Theatre School will be counted as 63 semester hours or 18 courses (two full years) at Eckerd.
  • One full year of study (with passing grades) at Circle in the Square Theatre School will be counted as 31.5 semester hours or 9 courses (one full year) at Eckerd.
  • Students must complete separate admission requirements for Eckerd College and for Circle in the Square Theatre School. Candidates will complete the application for admission for both schools; admission is determined by each school separately.
  • Students must interview and audition as part of the entrance requirements to Circle in the Square Theatre School.
  • Students pursuing a BFA degree will pay tuition/fees to the institution they are currently attending. Scholarships and financial aid are also awarded by each school and are non-transferable.
  • Eckerd students will be placed on College Leave status while they complete courses at Circle in the Square Theatre School.
  • Successfully completed courses from Circle in the Square Theatre School will be transcripted in as transfer courses with no grade/GPA value (they will not appear as Eckerd course).
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727.864.8331
admissions@eckerd.edu