A joint venture of The Old Globe and the University of San Diego, the Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Arts program nationally recruits seven students each year to participate in an intensive two-year, year-round course of graduate study in classical theatre.

The professional actor training program is designed to take advantage of training and performance opportunities made available by The Old Globe. Students' performance work in the Globe's professional productions is much more than an added attraction, it is the centerpiece of the training. The program is unique in it's ability to provide students with an exceptional number of professional performance opportunities. Partnership with the Globe demands that students achieve its formidable standard of artistic excellence and professionalism. Because the Globe is the program's primary source for the performance faculty, directors, designers, guest artists, and master teachers, this demanding ethic inspires studio work as well.

In addition to its symbiotic relationship with one of America's premier regional theaters, the professional actor training program is unique in other ways: with only seven actors in each class, an exceptional amount of personal attention is given to the student’s individual training needs; academic credits earned through performance work at the Globe enables the University of San Diego to award its Master of Fine Arts degree after only two years of study; and the program sends second-year students to London for two weeks of acting workshops and research. Also, each student accepted into the professional actor training program is awarded a full-tuition scholarship from the University and a monthly stipend from the Globe. Financial support granted to each student exceeds $50,000.

Finally, since the mission of the program is to provide students with the skills necessary to pursue successful acting careers, every effort is made to facilitate the transition into the profession. The program's showcase presentation in New York and Los Angeles have been highly effective in helping graduates establish acting careers in film, television, Broadway, and regional theatres.