A technician stands on stage at the Cantor Theatre.

Bachelor of Science / Master of Arts
Educational Theatre
Dual Degree, Initial Certification in Theatre, All Grades

How to Apply
BS/MA, Educational Theatre, Grades K-12, Initial Certification

Open only to educational theatre majors in Steinhardt, this dual degree option allows you to earn your bachelor of science in Educational Theatre and your master of arts in Educational Theatre in only five years, saving you both time and money. Upon graduation, you’ll have both a bachelor of science and a master of arts degree, and be eligible for New York State licensure and certification as a teacher of theatre, all grades.

Actors on stage performing with audience partially on stage

Degree Details

Official Degree Title

Bachelor of Science in Educational Theatre and Master of Arts in Educational Theatre, All Grades: Initial Certification

Format
Full-time
Credits
143
128 credits for the BS; 39 credits for the MA with up to 24 credits meeting the requirements of both degrees

BS students can apply as early as the spring of their sophomore year and as late as the fall of their senior year. Double majors whose primary school/major is not Steinhardt/Educational Theatre and students in the Ed Theatre Minor are not eligible.

You will choose to concentrate your BS studies in the Drama in Education pathway – and demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a culminating field experience and senior seminar. 

You’ll complete course work in drama, dramatic literature, and theatre. Through an inquiry-based model of teaching, you’ll take core methods courses that link theory to practice, while cultivating a deeper understanding of how to teach theatre as an art form and how to integrate drama into core subject areas at all grade levels. 

Throughout your degree, you’ll gain:

  • A foundation in educational theatre, acting, directing, theatre history, stagecraft, and design
  • A full liberal arts education with core courses in history, philosophy, language, literature, sociology, science, and math
  • An investigation of options for teaching or performing in a wide range of contexts
  • Acquire specialized pedagogical techniques and strategies that are innovative and appropriate for teaching drama and theatre to today's elementary, middle, and high school students
  • Expand your knowledge and understanding of dramatic literature

Teaching and Performance Opportunities

You'll have on- and off-campus opportunities to develop teaching and performance skills and cutting-edge approaches to theatre making. Our performance facilities include the iconic Provincetown Playhouse and the Black Box Theatre, which host three major productions a year in addition to play festivals and site-specific performances.

Study Abroad

Study away for a semester in one of NYU's many global academic centers, or take part in Drama in Youth in England.

Upon graduation from this dual degree option, you'll be eligible for New York State initial certification as a teacher of theatre, all grades (Pre-K–12). Learn more about teacher certification and our degree's accreditation. Graduates of our program are teachers of drama to elementary, middle, and high school students.

Curriculum

Blending immersive study and live performance, this dual degree will equip you with the skills to leverage drama, dramatic literature, and theatre both onstage and in the classroom. As a dual-degree student, you’ll benefit from embarking on a rigorous program of study alongside motivated peers and gain access to in-demand courses on a timeline that works for you. 

Liberal Arts Requirements 60

College Core Curriculum (CORE) 32
Foreign Language 4
Expository Writing 8
EXPOS-UA 1: Writing as an Inquiry 4
ACE-UE 110: Advanced Writing and Research 4
Foundations of Contemporary Culture 12
Texts and Ideas 4
Cultures and Contexts 4
Societies and Social Sciences 4
Foundations of Scientific Inquiry 8
Quantitative Reasoning or Mathematics Course / Life/Physical Science (Advisement required) 8
Other Liberal Arts Coursework 28
Liberal Arts Requirements 16
MPAET-UE 60: Theatre as Art Form 4
DRLIT-UA xx/ENGL-UA xx: English or Dramatic Literature 12
Liberal Arts Electives 12
Liberal Arts electives chosen by advisement 

Additional Requirements 

SAHS-UE 1: New Student Seminar 0
Writing Proficiency Examination 

Major Requirements 68

Undergraduate Core Content 30
MPAET-UE 50: Introduction to Educational Theatre 4
MPAET-UE 9: Stagecraft 3
MPAET-UE 1050: Acting: Fundamentals 3
MPAET-UE 1051: Acting: Scene Study 3
MPAET-UE 1055: Voice and Speech for the Actor 2
MPAET-UE 1021: Introduction to Theatre History 3
MPAET-UE 1081: Directing 3
MPAET-UE 1113: Physical Theatre Improvisation 3
MPAET-GE 2030: Dramatic Activities in the Elementary Classroom (50 hours of fieldwork)* 2
MPAET-UE 1900: Senior Seminar (with culminating field experience) 4
Drama in Education/Specialized Pedagogical Core 12
MPAET-GE 2031: Dramatic Activities in the Secondary Classroom (50 hours of fieldwork)* 2
MPAET-GE 2088: American Theatre II: Contemporary Playwrights of Color 3
MPAET-GE 2960: Drama with Special Populations 3
MPAET-GE 2977: Understanding Diversity/Teaching Pluralism 3
MPAET-GE 2988: Assessment of Student Work in Drama 1
Specialization Coursework 10
MPAET-GE 2XXX: Restricted Electives 4
Specialization Electives (Select courses by advisement) 6
Pedagogy Coursework (6 credits taken at the undergraduate level) 6
TCHL-GE 2010: Inquiries into Teaching and Learning III 3
MPAIA-GE 2010: Human Development in the Arts 3
Unrestricted Electives 10
Selected from university wide choices by advisement 

Graduate level Coursework 15

Core Content 9
MPAET-GE 2193: Drama in Education I 3
Dramatic Literature, Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Design, and Community Engagement (Through advisement) 6
General Pedagogical Core 0
TCHL-GE 2999: Social Responsibilities of Teachers (Drug & Alcohol Education, Child Abuse Identification, School Violence Prevention, and DASA) 0
Student Teaching 6
MPAET-GE 2134: Student Teaching in the Elementary Classroom 3
MPAET-GE 2174: Student Teaching in the Secondary Theatre Classroom 3
Culminating Experience 
All students are required to complete a Culminating Experience capstone project with their academic advisor, by advisement. 

Notes

As a part of MPAET-GE 2030 and MPAET-GE 2031, students will also partipate in 75 hours of fieldwork (150 hours in total are required in advance of student teaching).

Questions 

If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact us at ed.theatre@nyu.edu.