MA/MFA in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre

About the Program

As a part of the MA and MFA program, students in either track can earn initial licensure in Massachusetts as a theatre teacher for Pre-K through Grade 12. As a part of the MFA program, students can go on to teach at the college-level.

Graduates of our MA/MFA in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre go on to:

• Teach theatre at all levels, including the college/university level
• Work as teaching artists or education directors
• Pursue further doctoral work in theatre, education, and other related fields
• Use theatre for community-based social justice work as community activists, social workers, recreation leaders, and more

Art of Teaching & The Teaching of Art

Offering two streams of study for students, the Theatre Education & Applied Theatre program allows you to explore yourself as both an artist and an educator. We help you prepare for a successful career by offering areas of emphasis in Theatre Teacher Education as well as Theatre and Community.

Learn about our program requirements and our Theatre Education curriculum »

Distinguished Faculty as Mentors

As you cultivate your own talent, you will be joined by world-renowned Emerson faculty–distinguished directors, producers, writers, actors, performance artists, and educators with national and international experience. You will be given the chance to work hand-in-hand with these professionals; Emerson faculty members serve not only as your teachers but as your mentors and peers as well.

Meet our faculty »

Exceptional Facilities

Located in the heart of Boston's Theatre District, Emerson's campus includes:

• the restored Cutler Majestic Theatre
• the 11-story, state-of-the-art Tufte Performance and Production Center
• the recently opened Paramount Center, which includes a renovated art deco 590-seat main theater, the 150-seat Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre, a soundstage, the Bright Family Screening Room, a scene/ prop production shop, and rehearsal studios

With the addition of the Paramount Center and its theaters, Emerson now owns more performance spaces than any other institution in Boston.

Learn more about our theaters and production spaces »

Bringing the Stage to the World

Emerson Theatre Education graduates are in demand nationwide. A large majority of our graduates seeking employment as theater educators find positions within months of completing the program, becoming theater teachers in public and private grade schools and high schools, directors and producers of community theater, and coordinators of educational outreach programs. Graduates seeking an MFA or Ph.D. also have a high acceptance rate into the further educational study.