"I'm a recent University of London masters graduate of entrepreneurship (emphasis in theater and performance) and current PhD student in Education - Research. I'm a long-time listener of Mythgard's Exploring The Lord of the Rings podcast, having listened asynchronously for over six years. During this time I've celebrated Signum attaining its MA accreditation and it has inspired my dreams.

I would like to start a small cohort university in Utah, where I now live. Each graduating class consisting of around 8-12 students per year. Featuring a single MFA program for Theatrical Craftsmanship, with four emphases;

1. Dramaturgy,
2. Direction and Education,
3. Management and Administration, and
4. Technical Innovation

I intend to open a theater and cinema venue which would incorporate its full-time staff as educators, administrators, and performers. I would like for the students to be active participants in the live productions produced at this venue. This models the more traditional apprenticeship structure of the craft. Their tuition would be an exchange, participation in productions for educational achievment.

I would love some big picture advice and insight regarding Signum's journey toward accreditation. And, I'm wondering whether my continued time and money would be best spent attaining an Education PhD (so that my academic achievement can validate the existence of such a university), or whether I should get moving on the logistics for opening the venue. Do I need to be a PhD to open this university aspect of my future business?

For obvious reasons, all my current professors are recommending I stay in school. If I leave, they don't make money off of my attendance. This is why I think a one-on-one tutorial with anyone at Signum (administrative or academic) would be an impartial and "feet on the ground" kind of perspective. "