Interested in learning more about the application process for Emerson College’s Theatre Education and Applied Theatre MA program? A Graduate Admission representative will be happy to meet with you.
While we have historically offered a program in teaching licensure for theatre educators as well as an MFA program in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre, we have paused our admissions for those programs in 2026.
Meet Your Admission Counselor
-
Sarah DuffettAssistant Director, Graduate Admissionsarah.duffett@emerson.edu
- Department Graduate Admission
Sarah can help answer questions about your graduate program, living in Boston, applying, or anything else you might have questions about. Schedule a time to connect with her virtually or email her.
Who Should Apply?
Housed in the School of the Arts, our Theatre Education & Applied Theatre graduate program is designed for students who have majored in, work in, or are pursuing their interests in theatre, theatre education, teaching, arts-based community activism, and creating theatre with and for youth or with community members in non-traditional settings. Our students aspire to teach the next generation of theatre lovers or use the arts for community conversation, justice and joy. They often pursue careers in teaching in PK–12 settings, universities, professional theaters, community-based organizations, and nonprofit settings.
Application Deadlines
MA in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre
Fall
- Priority: February 1
- Regular: May 1
- Final: July 1
Priority Decision Advantages: Priority review for admission, first consideration for scholarships and earlier receipt of an admissions decision.
For official term start dates please review our Academic Calendar.
Check the status of your application
Admission Requirements
- Online Application
- After submitting your application, you will receive an email with your Admission ID. Please use your username and password to log in and check the status of your application.
- Official Transcripts
- Official transcript requirements
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- From persons best able to assess academic and professional qualifications, including motivations and goals.
- Admission Essay
- Emerson College's graduate programs form a vibrant and engaged community of creative artists, professionals, scholars, and clinicians who all believe in the power of language and communication to transform society. Your careful responses to the following prompts will help us determine if the program you are applying to is the right fit for you. Please answer each prompt as thoughtfully as possible.
- How does the focus and curriculum of the program to which you are applying align with your experience and goals? What particular aspects of your current and/or future work do you hope to develop while in graduate school? 500 words.
- Drawing on your personal, professional, creative and/or academic experience please share an example of a time that you overcame an individual or collective challenge and the approach you took to address that challenge. 250-500 words.
- The mission of Emerson College is the betterment of society through communication and the arts. With this in mind, what impact do you want your work to have? 500 words.
- Emerson College's graduate programs form a vibrant and engaged community of creative artists, professionals, scholars, and clinicians who all believe in the power of language and communication to transform society. Your careful responses to the following prompts will help us determine if the program you are applying to is the right fit for you. Please answer each prompt as thoughtfully as possible.
- Resume
- Include your professional and educational history.
- Artistic Resume
- Include your artistic experience and history.
- English Proficiency: Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency by submitting official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Pearson test results.
View our graduate admission policies
International Applicants
- This program supports the issuance of an I-20 for the full duration of the on-campus portion of the program to learn more about applying for an I-20 you can preview the information here. No documentation is required until after you have been admitted.
- International Student Checklist
I found my relationships with the grad faculty in the theatre department to be of utmost value. I was given opportunities to work with leading artists and scholars in their fields.
Graduate Social Channels
Connect with us on social media!