Florida State University MFA Funding Scholar Collins Cudjoe from Ghana Shares His Journey of Securing a Fully Funded MFA at Florida State University, United States

My name is Collins Cudjoe. I am originally from Ghana, and my academic and professional journey has taken me across three countries: Ghana, Finland, and the United States. I completed my MFA in Theatre Management from Florida State University in May 2026. I pursued this degree because I wanted to build a rigorous foundation in arts administration, specifically at the intersection of marketing, audience development, and organizational leadership in the performing arts.

MFA in Theatre Management Program Funding Details

Admission to the MFA in Theatre Management program at Florida State University is highly competitive, with only three students admitted each year. Gaining admission comes with full funding for the duration of the program, provided students maintain strong academic standing. That funding structure was a significant factor in my decision to attend.

Educational Background

I hold a BA in Theatre Studies from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Ghana, and a Certificate in Cultural Organizations and Sustainability Management from Humak University of Applied Sciences in Finland. Each degree built on the last. The BA grounded me in theatre history and practice, the MA sharpened my communication and research skills, and the Finnish certificate introduced me to nonprofit cultural management in a European context. That interdisciplinary, international foundation made me a strong candidate for a terminal MFA program in the United States.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Florida State University?

I researched programs with strong professional development components, not just academic ones. FSU's Theatre Management MFA stood out because of its production management integration, undergraduate teaching opportunities, and real-world organizational scope. I reviewed faculty research, connected with current students and alumni, and made sure my application materials spoke directly to what the program values.

How Did You Find Information About the MFA in Theatre Management Program Funding and Florida State University?

Mostly through professional networks, program websites, and direct outreach. The performing arts administration field is relatively small, so conversations with working practitioners and current graduate students were often more useful than any single database or scholarship listing.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

As an international student, I navigated English proficiency requirements. My academic record across English-medium institutions in Ghana supported my applications and demonstrated my readiness for graduate study in the United States.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the MFA in Theatre Management Program Funding?

I treated the application as a professional document, not just an academic one. I was intentional about articulating what I would bring to the program, drawing on my experience in arts marketing, media relations, and front-of-house management across three countries. I wanted the application to show both where I had been and where I was headed.

How is Your Experience at Florida State University?

FSU gave me the opportunity to work as the Associate Director of Marketing Communications for the School of Theatre, managing marketing across six mainstage productions annually and leading a team of six staff. I also taught TPA 4400: Theatre Management to undergraduates, which deepened my understanding of the field and pushed me to think more critically about how I communicate knowledge. It was an intensive and rewarding three years.

How Do You Rate Florida State University Academically?

FSU's School of Theatre is one of the top theatre programs in the country, and the Theatre Management MFA reflects that. The curriculum is rigorous and practically oriented. You are not just studying arts administration in the abstract; you are doing it in real time, with real budgets, real productions, and real organizational stakes.

How Does Florida State University Support International Students?

FSU has dedicated international student support services, and the School of Theatre community itself was welcoming. Having peers and faculty who took my international background seriously as an intellectual asset, rather than something to accommodate, made a meaningful difference.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

My trajectory. I came into the program with a strong academic foundation built across two countries, a BA in Theatre Studies from the University of Cape Coast and an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Ghana, combined with substantive professional experience in arts marketing and media relations in Ghana. The Finnish certificate was something I had pursued intentionally to broaden my perspective on cultural management before coming to the United States for graduate study. Together, those experiences showed that I had been deliberately building toward this kind of program for years, not just academically, but in practice.

Looking Back, Would You Have Done Anything Differently During Your Time in the Program?

I would have started building U.S.-based professional relationships earlier and applied more broadly to external funding opportunities in my first year. The program funding covered my studies, but there are fellowships and grants available that I became aware of too late to pursue competitively.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Your international background is a strength, not a gap. Frame it that way from the start. Be specific about what you want from the program and what you will contribute to it. Research the faculty, talk to current students, and let your application show that you already understand the field you are entering. And if you are coming from outside the United States, do not wait to build your professional network here. Start early.