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MA, Educational Theatre, Grades K-12, Initial Certification

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MA, Educational Theatre, Grades K-12, Initial Certification

Scholarships Available!

NYU Steinhardt is committed to innovative and accessible teacher education. Beginning Fall 2026, every newly admitted full-time student in the MA in Educational Theatre, All Grades: Initial Certification program will receive a $15,000 per year scholarship. Apply now and start shaping the future of education.

The 39- to 42-credit MA in Educational Theatre, Grades K-12 (Initial Certification), equips prospective teachers to leverage drama, dramatic literature, and theatre both onstage and in the classroom. You’ll emerge as a teaching artist trained in innovative pedagogical strategies and well-positioned to teach theatre and integrate drama into core subjects. The program offers hands-on experience through student teaching and two yearly main-stage shows with accompanying curriculum materials and workshops.

Core Course Sequence

The MA program features a foundational content core exploring drama in education as well as foundational courses in dramatic literature, acting, directing, playwriting, production design, and community engagement. You’ll gain pedagogical training in best practices in teaching and learning, specialized instruction in utilizing drama techniques in the classroom, and extensive experience student teaching.

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Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 39-42 credits, comprised of the following:

Course Title Credits
Content Core
MPAET-GE 2193Drama in Education I3
MPAET-GE 2088American Theatre II: Contemporary Playwrights of Color3
By advisement, students complete 10-13 credits in related coursework.10-13
General Pedagogical Core
MPAIA-GE 2010Human Dev/Ed in Arts3
TCHL-GE 2010Inquiries Into Teaching & Learning III3
TCHL-GE 2999Drug, Alcohol Ed/Child Abuse ID/School Violence/DASA0
Specialized Pedagogical Core
MPAET-GE 2030Dramatic Activities in the Elementary Classroom (50 hrs fieldwork) 12
MPAET-GE 2031Dramatic Activities in the Secondary Classroom (50 hrs fieldwork) 12
MPAET-GE 2960Drama With Special Populations3
MPAET-GE 2977Understanding Diversity Teaching Pluralism3
MPAET-GE 2988Assessment of Student Work in Drama1
Student Teaching
MPAET-GE 2174Student Tching in Second English/Drama Classroom3
MPAET-GE 2134Sem & Field Exp in Tchg Elem/Drama/Theat Clsrm3
Culminating Experience
All students are required to complete a Culminating Experience capstone project with their academic advisor, by advisement.0
Total Credits39-42
1

100 hours of observation are required for certification prior to student teaching.

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
MPAET-GE 2193 Drama in Education I 3
TCHL-GE 2010 Inquiries Into Teaching & Learning III (15 hours fieldwork) 3
MPAET-GE 2030 Dramatic Activities in the Elementary Classroom (15 hours fieldwork) 2
Art Form Specialization 3
 Credits11
2nd Semester/Term
MPAIA-GE 2010 Human Dev/Ed in Arts (15 hours fieldwork) 3
MPAET-GE 2031 Dramatic Activities in the Secondary Classroom (15 hours fieldwork) 2
MPAET-GE 2960 Drama With Special Populations 3
TCHL-GE 2999 Drug, Alcohol Ed/Child Abuse ID/School Violence/DASA 0
Art Form Specialization 1 3
Art Form Specialization 1
 Credits12
3rd Semester/Term
MPAET-GE 2134 Sem & Field Exp in Tchg Elem/Drama/Theat Clsrm 3
MPAET-GE 2977 Understanding Diversity Teaching Pluralism 3
MPAET-GE 2988 Assessment of Student Work in Drama 1
Art Form Specialization 3
 Credits10
4th Semester/Term
MPAET-GE 2174 Student Tching in Second English/Drama Classroom 3
Art Form Specialization 3
Art Form Specialization 3
 Credits9
 Total Credits42
1

If needed for students who lack the 30 credits of theatre prerequisites; these students may need more than 3 additional credits here.

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
MPAET-GE 2193 Drama in Education I 3
TCHL-GE 2010 Inquiries Into Teaching & Learning III (15 hours fieldwork) 3
 Credits6
2nd Semester/Term
MPAET-GE 2031 Dramatic Activities in the Secondary Classroom (15 hours fieldwork) 2
MPAIA-GE 2010 Human Dev/Ed in Arts (15 hours fieldwork) 3
Art Form Specialization 1
 Credits6
3rd Semester/Term
Art Form Specialization 3
Art Form Specialization 3
 Credits6
4th Semester/Term
MPAET-GE 2030 Dramatic Activities in the Elementary Classroom (15 hours fieldwork) 2
MPAET-GE 2988 Assessment of Student Work in Drama 1
MPAET-GE 2977 Understanding Diversity Teaching Pluralism 3
TCHL-GE 2999 Drug, Alcohol Ed/Child Abuse ID/School Violence/DASA 0
 Credits6
5th Semester/Term
MPAET-GE 2174 Student Tching in Second English/Drama Classroom 3
MPAET-GE 2960 Drama With Special Populations 3
 Credits6
6th Semester/Term
Art Form Specialization 3
Art Form Specialization 3
 Credits6
7th Semester/Term
MPAET-GE 2134 Sem & Field Exp in Tchg Elem/Drama/Theat Clsrm 3
Half time Equivalency for work on culminating experience or Art Form Specialization 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits42

Additional Requirements for the Master's Degree:

  1. All students are required to complete a Culminating Experience, consisting of a curriculum project informed by the student’s experience in the student teaching practicum.
  2. In accordance with New York State regulations, all points used toward graduation for the master's degree must be at the .2000-level.

Additional Requirements to be recommended for New York State Teaching Certification in Theatre, All grades:

  1. Students must successfully complete the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations. Scores must be submitted to the State Education Department before it will consider issuing a certificate to teach in the public schools of New York State.
  2. Students must complete 100 hours of fieldwork in approved educational settings prior to student teaching.

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