MA Curriculum

Housed in the Department of Performing Arts, our MA in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre can be completed in 1-2 years as a full-time student, or 2-4 years as a part-time student. The MA curriculum consists of 36 credits including:

  • 12 credits (3 courses) of Required Track Foundation Courses in the specific track you have chosen to study
  • 4 credits (1 or 2 courses) Written Thesis, or Capstone project, Student Teaching Practicum 
  • 20 credits (5 courses) of electives 

MA students don’t need a degree in theatre or a related subject to apply, but we encourage applicants who have a connection and passion for theatre to apply. 

We offer two tracks to concentrate on depending on your professional goals, Theatre Education and Applied Theatre. 

Track 1: Theatre Education

As a student in the Theatre Education track, you’ll learn to teach theatre in PK-12 public and private school settings, workshops, and after-school environments. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in public school teaching, you can choose to earn a PK-12 Massachusetts Theatre Education license through our Theatre Education track.

Track 2: Applied Theatre

As a student in the Applied Theatre track, you’ll explore the uses of theatre primarily outside traditional theatre spaces like social services agencies, community centers, prisons, hospitals, and museums. Your focus is aimed to benefit not only individuals but also the communities and societies in which they live to use theatre as a catalyst for social justice and civic engagement.

Applicants applying for the Applied Theatre track should have an interest and some experience in community-based arts.

Core Courses

Course Credits Modality
Drama as Education I 4 In-person
Applied Theatre I: Stories of Us 4 In-person

Choose a Track: Theatre Education or Applied Theatre

Theatre Education Track

Course Credits Modality
Drama as Education II 4 In-person

Applied Theatre Track

Course Credits Modality
Applied Theatre II: On the Page and on Our Feet 4 In-person

Capstone 4 Credits: Complete one of the following course options 4 Credits

Course Credits Modality
Thesis 4 In-person
*Student Teaching Practicum- 2 Credits 
and 
Student Teaching Seminar- 2 credits 
(courses are taken concurrently)
2, 2 In-person

*For students pursuing MA state licensure

Elective 20 Credits:

Choose 20 elective credits (5 courses) from the below elective sampling. 

Sample Electives:

  • TH621 Theatre of the Oppressed 
  • TH667 Theatre for Social Justice 
  • TH667 Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence Through Performance 
  • TH681 Directing Young Actor 
  • TH681 Documentary Theatre
  • TH562 Theatre for Young Audiences
  • TH667: Central Square Theatre: Arts-Based Youth Activism 
  • TH514 Burning Down The House: Disruptive Narratives In Theatre and Life 
  • TH467/TH667 Gender Expansion in Queer Times: Theory, Pedagogy, and Inclusive Practices of LGBTQIA+ Theatre
  • TH634: Inhabiting Bodies: Writing Identity for the Stage

MFA Curriculum

Housed in the Department of Performing Arts, our MFA in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre can be completed in 2 years as a full-time student, or 2-4 years as a part-time student. The MFA curriculum consists of 48 credits, including: 

  • 12 credits (3 courses) of Foundational Courses in the specific track you have chosen to study
  • 28 credits (7 courses) of electives 
  • 8 credits (2 courses) of a Thesis 

MFA students don’t need a degree in theatre or a related subject to apply but usually have a year or more of experience working as a theatre educator and/or applied theatre practitioner. 

We offer two tracks to concentrate on depending on your professional goals, Theatre Education and Applied Theatre. 

Track 1: Theatre Education

As a student in the Theatre Education track, you’ll learn to teach theatre in PK-12 public and private school settings, workshops, and after-school environments. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in public school teaching, you can choose to earn a PK-12 Massachusetts Theatre Education license through our Theatre Education track.

Applicants should have experience teaching when applying to the Theatre Education track.

Track 2: Applied Theatre

As a student in the Applied Theatre track, you’ll explore the uses of theatre primarily outside traditional theatre spaces like social services agencies, community centers, prisons, hospitals, and museums. Your focus is aimed to benefit not only individuals but the communities and societies in which they live to use theatre as a catalyst for social justice and civic engagement.

Applicants should have experience in community-based arts.

Core Courses 8 Credits

Course Credits Modality
Drama as Education I 4 In-person
Applied Theatre I: Stories of Us 4 In-person
*Colloquium 0 In-person

*Must be taken 4 times during your final year 

Choose a Track: Theatre Education or Applied Theatre 4 Credits

Theatre Education Track

Course Credits Modality
Drama as Education II 4 In-person

Applied Theatre Track

Course Credits Modality
Applied Theatre II: On the Page and on Our Feet 4 In-person

Thesis 8 Credits: 8 Credits

Course Credits Modality
Thesis (fall semester) 4 In-person
Thesis II (spring semester) 4 In-person

Elective 28 Credits

Choose 28 elective credits (7 courses) from the below elective sampling. 

Sample Electives:

  • TH665 Student Teaching Practicum & TH663 Student Teaching Seminar 
  • TH621 Theatre of the Oppressed 
  • TH667 Theatre for Social Justice 
  • TH667 Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence Through Performance 
  • TH681 Directing Young Actor 
  • TH681 Documentary Theatre
  • TH562 Theatre for Young Audiences
  • TH667: Central Square Theatre: Arts-Based Youth Activism 
  • TH514 Burning Down The House: Disruptive Narratives In Theatre and Life 
  • TH467/TH667 Gender Expansion in Queer Times: Theory, Pedagogy, and Inclusive Practices of LGBTQIA+ Theatre
  • TH634: Inhabiting Bodies: Writing Identity for the Stage