The Faculty of Theatre has six main objectives:

- To prepare students for entry into professional theatre arts work.

-To prepare students to explore advanced educational opportunities.

- To prepare students for teaching.

- To serve the community and the Commonwealth by presenting theatre arts to the public.

- To broaden and enhance students' perception of their world by offering a variety of cultural experiences.

- To encourage students' ability to think critically in relation to theatre arts by exposing them to a variety of theatrical experiences, theories, and aesthetics.

Theatre relies on extensive student participation in and out of the classroom. "The play is the thing" through which preparation comes alive and gains significance. Staff, resources, and facilities exist to serve students in their preparation.

History, theory, and criticism must stand the test of relevance, and production activities at NKU will not exist apart from literary background, conceptual understanding, social and cultural content, and philosophy.

Students wishing to obtain the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre must have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.50 in their major for graduation. A GPA of at least 2.75 in theatre courses and approval of a faculty review committee are required for graduation with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Minors are offered in theatre and in dance.