MA/MFA in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre
Boston, USA
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 May 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 1,402 / per credit **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Priority decision: February 1. Late application deadline: July 1.
** additional fees may apply. Scholarships are available
Introduction
Teach theatre and create transformative experiences in our Theatre Education & Applied Theatre (MA & MFA) program.
Our program allows you to grow and refine your craft as both an artist and educator. We offer two tracks of study to choose from, Theatre Education and Applied Theatre, that allow you to pursue your professional goals. No matter which tracks you select, you will have the flexibility to choose elective courses that align with your unique interests and customize a course of study that supports your goals.
As one of the largest programs of its kind in the country, we’ll prepare you to create both theatre and learning experiences that transform lives and communities.
With two tracks of study, Theatre Education and Applied Theatre, our courses integrate theory and reflective practice to give you the opportunity to develop skills and expand your knowledge of the art of theatre, the principles of teaching and learning in theatre, and the practices of applied drama and theatre.
Our graduates have gone on to become theatre teachers, community educators, directors, and playwrights, while others have gone on to pursue doctoral degrees.
Program highlights include:
- MA and MFA degree options, which both include the opportunity to choose between two tracks of study
- Opportunities to teach throughout your program
- A campus rich in theatre culture, with several performance venues including the Tufte Performance and Production Center, the Paramount Center, The Cutler Majestic Theatre, and the Emerson Colonial Theatre
- Centrally located in the heart of Boston’s Theatre District
- Courses are offered nights and evenings to fit your schedule
- No GRE required to apply
- Full-time and part-time options
Faculty
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.
Your Graduate Program Director will serve as your primary faculty advisor, guiding you on course selection to ensure that you will achieve your learning objectives and satisfy the program requirements. You will also receive program and department news from your program director along with any on- and off-campus opportunities that might be of interest to you.
Living, Learning and Working in Boston
As a student attending Emerson College, you will live and learn in the heart of Boston’s Theatre District. Emerson's campus includes the Tufte Performance and Production Center, the Paramount Center, The Cutler Majestic Theatre, and the Emerson Colonial Theatre and is surrounded by dozens of local theatres, providing you with a wide range of experiences, from best-selling Broadway shows to local artists.
Alumni
Our Alumni have gone on to build their careers at the following companies and agencies:
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Admissions
Curriculum
Curriculum Requirements
Emerson offers both a Master’s (MA) and Master’s of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre. You may apply to only the MA program, or if you would like to be considered for both the MA and MFA at the same time, you may apply for both programs at once.
Master’s Program
- 36 credit hours
- Fall admission only
- Full-time students usually complete the degree in 1–2 years
- Part-time students usually complete the degree in 2–4.5 years
Master’s of Fine Arts Program
- Requires successful completion of Emerson College’s Master’s in Theatre Education*
- 12 credit hours (following the completion of the MA program)
- Fall and spring admission
- Full-time students complete the MFA degree in 1 year
*Current students 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:
- Successful completion of Emerson’s MA program
- 12 credit hours
- Fall and spring admission
- Full-time students complete the degree in 1 year
Professional Tracks
The program offers you the opportunity to choose between two professional tracks to study, allowing you to reach your professional and educational goals.
Track 1: Theatre Educator
As a student in the Theatre Educator track, you will learn how to teach drama to children Pre-K through grade 12 in public and private school settings, as well as in workshop and after-school environments. For those interested in pursuing a career in public school teaching, Theatre Educator students can earn an initial Massachusetts teaching license (all levels) as a Teacher of Theatre in our Department of Elementary and Secondary Education–approved program.
Track 2: Theatre and Community
As a teaching artist and community advocate, you will explore the uses of theatre in a variety of community settings such as community theatre, recreation and arts centers, museums, professional theatre for young audiences, or in education outreach for a professional theatre. In the Theatre and Community track, you may also focus on theatre as a catalyst for social justice and civic engagement.
Master’s Curriculum Requirements (36 Credits)
Your curriculum begins with 12 credits (3 courses) of Foundational Courses in the specific track you have chosen to study.
Track 1: Theatre Educator
Foundation Courses: 12 credits (3 courses)
| Course | Credits |
| Drama as Education I | 4 |
| Drama as Education II | 4 |
| Theatre and Community: Stories of Us | 4 |
Track 2: Theatre and Community
Foundation Courses: 12 credits (3 courses)
| Course | Credits |
| Theatre and Community: Stories of Us | 4 |
| Community Engagement from the Stage | 4 |
| Drama as Education I | 4 |
Electives
Both tracks require 20 credits of electives. You must take 12 credits (3 courses) from at least 3 different elective categories. Once the 12 credits from the 3 categories are fulfilled, you may mix and match the remaining credits from any elective category of interest.
Elective categories
20 credits total; 12 credits (3 classes) must be from at least 3 different categories
- Acting
- Directing
- Playwriting/Devising
- Dramatic Literature/Theatre History
- Theatre Design/Technology
*Note: Class offerings are subject to change. This is only a sampling of our offered courses. Please reference our course catalog for the most up-to-date course information.
Capstone Requirements
You must complete 4 credits (1 course) of Capstone Requirements.
| Course | Credits |
| Master’s Project or Thesis* | 4 |
| Student Teaching, Practicum, and Seminar (Theatre Teacher Education track only) | 4 |
*A project/thesis is not required for MA students continuing their education with Emerson’s MFA program.
Master's of Fine Arts Curriculum Requirements (12 credits)
MFA students must complete the following courses in addition to earning their Emerson Master of Arts in Theatre Education to receive the MFA in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre. The MFA is designed to be completed over the course of one year.
| Course | Credits |
| Advanced Studio or Theory | 4 |
| Qualitative Research | 4 |
| Colloquium | 0 |
| MFA Thesis* | 4 |
MFA Thesis*
Graduate students completing an MFA thesis project must follow the latest copy of the Master’s Thesis/Project guidelines and use the appropriate templates for the title, approval, and abstract pages.
Scholarships and Funding
Financial Aid
Emerson College is proud to offer students and families financial aid options and resources. For a full list of our financial aid offerings, visit our Financial Aid page.
Scholarships
Upon applying to an Emerson Graduate Program, the Graduate Admission team automatically reviews every accepted student’s scholarship eligibility. For more information about scholarships, please visit our Scholarships & Grants page.
Program Tuition Fee
Gallery
Ideal Students
Both the MA and the MFA in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre programs are designed for students who have majored in, work in, or are interested in theatre, theatre education, teaching, directing, or community activism. Our students aspire to teach the next generation of theatre lovers and often pursue careers in teaching in PK-12 settings, universities, community theaters, and nonprofit settings.
Career Opportunities
Career Outlook
Our students have graduated and gone on to pursue successful careers as:
- Drama or Theatre Teacher K-12 school teachers
- Teachers at the university level
- Directors and Producers of Community Theatre
- Educational Outreach Program Coordinators
In addition to teaching theatre at all levels, graduates also go on to:
- 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.
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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