The Department of Performing Arts offers the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre. This program is for artists who wish to pursue careers and opportunities at the intersection of theatre, education, and community practice. As such, this program provides training in theatre, education, and community-engaged co-creation and the uses of theatre and drama as vehicles of learning, reflection, justice, and joy. Completion of the 48-credit MFA also opens the door to teaching full-time in colleges and universities for those interested in a career in higher education. This graduate program is designed with two tracks, the Theatre Educator track and the Applied Theatre track, each of which include foundational and core courses, with additional work in areas of special interest to students, in order to support a broad range of individual career goals.
The Theatre Education track prepares students to work with youth in PK-12 schools and/or with young people at regional theaters and in community organizations. Many students in this track opt to obtain a PK-12 Massachusetts Theatre Education license but that is not required. Applied Theatre, the second track, is for students primarily interested in using participant-centered theatre techniques to engage and empower communities through projects that benefit, not only individuals, but the communities and societies in which they live. Either track can be appropriate for students who wish to pursue a terminal degree in the field of theatre and/or teaching at the college level.
Students in both tracks complete a set of foundational and core requirements and work with their graduate program director or faculty advisor to design individual plans of study to meet the remainder of the degree requirements. Late afternoon/evening coursework and intensive summer institutes make it possible for students and practicing teachers to pursue this program part-time or to concentrate their study within an 18-month to 2.5-year period.
The Theatre Education and Applied Theatre program is reviewed and accredited by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. For students in the licensure track, permission to proceed to the student teaching practicum is required and based upon the successful completion of coursework and field experience. A portfolio review for these same students is required at the end of their student teaching practicum. These students must also pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure in order to receive their initial license.
Following are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the Theatre Education and Applied Theatre program:
- Students will assess learning needs, develop appropriate educational goals and objectives, and design and implement drama/theatre teaching strategies based on understandings of the theoretical and historical foundations of drama/theatre education and the practices of applied drama and theatre.
- Students will demonstrate skills for creating theatre in and with a variety of communities based on the understanding of the relationships between theatre and culture as informed by economics, history, sociology, cultural studies, politics, and performance theory.
- Students will develop their individual potentials and interests in performance, production, theatre education, applied theatre, and related fields as demonstrated by portfolios, or theses.
Admission Requirements
Admission is by application and, when possible, interview. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in theatre or an allied area such as education, literature, mass communication, or fine arts. Applicants may submit the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as an optional component of their application.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Fine Arts degree requires the successful completion of 48 credit hours, including 24 credits of foundation and core course requirements. In addition, students must complete courses in Advanced Studio or Theory, 4 credits of a thesis preparation course, 4 credits of an MFA Thesis Project, and participate in the MFA Colloquia. Students may fulfill the remaining credit requirements by taking electives approved by their advisors.
Current students (Catalog year 23-24 or earlier) or alumni of Emerson’s Master’s in Theatre Education who wish to earn their MFA from Emerson may do so.
Application details are as follows:
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Successful completion of Emerson’s MA program
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Fall and spring admission
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Full-time students complete the degree in 1 year
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12 credit hours, including:
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