

Social studies and theatre are powerful in combination, helping learners explore history through the use of drama-based frameworks. This degree leads to eligibility for New York State initial certification as a teacher of theatre and a teacher of social studies. You'll gain a foundation in social studies and drama, learn pedagogical methods and strategies, and acquire hands-on experience through fieldwork and student teaching.
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You will work closely with a faculty advisor as you create a sequence of courses to reflect your interests and select classes in research, pedagogy, theatre art forms, and community-engaged approaches, ensuring that you learn:
The curriculum for this degree includes integrated course work in drama, dramatic literature, and theatre, which are tied to the four New York State Learning Standards for both theatre and social studies. You'll have the opportunity to focus your studies on a concentration, such as Applied Theatre, Drama Education, or Theatre for Young Audiences and Play Production; or you can create your own pathway under advisement.
You will also complete fieldwork and two supervised student teaching placements in New York City elementary and secondary schools, honing your teaching techniques under the guidance of NYU faculty.
Graduates of our program are teachers of drama and theatre at preschools and elementary, middle, and secondary schools. They hold positions in education and theatre departments in museums, art galleries, colleges, and universities.
You will graduate eligible for New York State initial certification as a teacher of theatre, all grades (K–12), and a teacher of social studies, grades 7–12. Learn more about teacher certification and our degree's accreditation.
Graduate and Doctoral students in the Program in Educational Theatre may receive scholarships through one or both of the following methods. The first is through completing the Steinhardt Financial Aid process and potentially receiving merit or need based scholarships. Information on this process is available through the Financial Aid website for graduate students.
The second method is by applying for Educational Theatre Scholarships directly through the Program.
Up to a $5,000 bursary will be awarded to students and applied to their Bursar account in one of four areas: Service-based, Academic Merit, Artistic Merit, or Study Abroad.
Note that these scholarships can only be applied towards tuition and/or registration fees for NYU/Educational Theatre courses.
Students can apply for these scholarships after completing one semester of study. An application form will be circulated to current students through the program’s list serve approximately two - three weeks prior to the start of registration for the upcoming term.
The application form requires:
Service-based:
Statement of Service describing the ways in which you have provided service to the Program that is deserving of acknowledgement.
Academic Merit:
Statement of Academic Merit describing the ways in which your academic work is deserving of acknowledgement.
Artistic Merit:
Statement of Artistic Merit describing the ways in which your artistic work is deserving of acknowledgement.
Study Abroad:
Statement of Service, Academic Merit, or Artistic Merit describing the ways in which your work is deserving of acknowledgement through scholarship for the study abroad program.
This scholarship honors the legacy of Nancy and Lowell Swortzell, distinguished professors who founded the Program in Educational Theatre at NYU Steinhardt in 1966, and continued teaching in the program for 40 years. In the spirit of their work, we are pleased to support the financial needs of students as they work toward completion of their degree. Awards are available to students at the graduate and doctoral levels.
This scholarship for Educational Theatre students was created by one of the Program's alumni, Mr. Myoung-Cheul Chung, MA '95. The scholarship has supported graduate students in Educational Theatre since its inception in 1999. Mr. Chung was a student of Nancy and Lowell Swortzell, the founders of the Program in Educational Theatre at NYU.
Email Jonathan Jones for more information.
If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact David Montgomery at dm635@nyu.edu.
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